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Posted 6/1/2012 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I'm new to the forums and I hope I'm posting in the right section. What led me here is since my Fibro diagnosis about 15 years ago some things just don't seem to fit. So it's basically "is it fibro or something else". I've looked in Fibro 101, which is great by the way - it leaves me wondering still.

I had Iritis a couple of year’s back, which led me to a RA doctor. He found that my Vitamin D level was 13; an ANA positive - I can't recall the number. Anyway, prescription Vitamin D took care of that. He said that I didn’t have Lupus or RA it was just a mystery to him.

Last year my back hurt so badly that finally my doctor x-rayed it and found Degenerative Joint Disease. My lower pain has had pain since the birth of my first child – she’s 30.

I have Panic Disorder and Depression; I take Celexa and Clonazepam both low doses. With the panic and anxiety it’s really hard to get the right amount of medication so it doesn’t create more anxiety. Cymbalta helped with the Fibro but not the depression; I became suicidal; I was taken off of that and I have been on Celexa ever since (two dosage increases) I’m sensitive to most chemicals, perfumes etc…

My feet burn at night, can’t stay asleep, dry skin, hip(s) pain, costochondritis & rib pain from time to time. The new one is pain in my right elbow and chronic yeast infections in the groin area only. Of course I’m tired due to lack of sleep but all this just makes no sense to me.

I was laid off in 2009 so I’m self-pay at my doctor so he’s limited on what he can do since there is no insurance coverage. My “fibro” pain is not on a daily basis, sometimes I feel like my skin has the flu and my legs will hurt. Sometimes my arms hurt – I guess it rotates. Does any of this sound like just Fibro?

Thanks for letting a newcomer vent and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Posted 6/1/2012 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Bitters. Welcome to the friendly fibro forum (say that 5 times fast!) Venting is what we do here - venting and helping - and, of course, sharing the good times, too.

I had to chuckle at your "skin having the flu." Very descriptive! It's too bad that your doctor is limited, and that's one of my pet peeves...the healthcare situation in this country. But I won't start...I do understand, though.

In my experience, too, it's extremely hard to tell what's fibro and what's something else. I guess we're just fumbling in the dark a lot of the time.

Debbie
Posted 6/1/2012 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Cymbalta made me suicidal as well...
Posted 6/1/2012 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Bitters, and welcome!  Well, a lot of what you are describing is happening to quite a few on this forum.  I have gotten iritises in the past.  But I do have a genetic predisposition to them called HLA-B27 and also was just diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis.  So that makes a lot of sense to me.  This is a rheumatic illness like rheumatoid arthritis.  Maybe this is also causing some of your back pain.  My rheumy gave me a generic muscle relaxer that has helped me a lot.  It's the generic of Robaxin.  Here is a link from the Mayo Clinic about the causes of iritises.

 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/iritis/DS01128/DSECTION=causes

 

I don't suffer from depression but many members do.  I generally don't suffer from panic attacks but I used to.  I got a handle on them...except recently.  LOL  The anxiety does try to creep in but I won't let it because I remember how horrible it was living with anxiety.  Meditation and prayer has helped me in this area.

 

The back pain can be pretty bad.  The generic of Robaxin did help me here and I'm sleeping better now.  I used to wake up many times at night because of the back pain.  There is something called a Bed Buddy that you can get at Walgreens, Bed Bath and Beyond and other places.  I got mine at BB&B and used a 20% off coupon they send in the mail.  You heat it in the microwave and it gives off moist heat.  There is one that is like a shawl and would cover more area and another that you can drape over your neck.  They feel really good, too.

 

I have costochondritis and use ibuprofen with food to help that and many of the other pains I have.  I also use extra strength Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements and vitamin D3 supplements that I talked about in Fibro 101, and an alternative pain medication called Curamin to help with pain and fatigue of fibro and other problems.

 

Hip pain would wake me up too and then I found a product called Sombra.  It comes in a roll on and I get it on line through Amazon.  I don't even have to get out of bed to use this and that's a huge plus.  This product goes deep in the muscle and settles things down.  My massage therapist started me on this and I love it.

I'm sorry you are dealing with no health insurance at the time.  There are  links in Fibro 101 to help with prescription meds though.  I do have to ask my daughter what prescription plan she is on.  She has no health insurance either and was here visiting and bought and antidepressant through her program for $15!  I thought that was unreal. 

I hope I've given you some suggestions that you haven't done and could try to give you some relief.  I hope you start feeling better soon.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine 

 

 

Posted 6/1/2012 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the warm welcome! All of you have some great tips and you made me lol - a very good thing. I will look into the tips for sure Sombra (this sounds great) - especially something to hold the blankets up off my feet, lol. I to take Vitamin D and Advil but really try not to take the Advil everyday. I appreciate all the replies and hope to get to know all of you - a support system always help too.


Bitters
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