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Posted 10/2/2012 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
shakehead Guess that's a good way to start!

I have not posted here before, have been to the depression/anxiety board.

One thing after another and I am sick and tired of being sick and tired. Feel like a total hypochondriac..........I know if I'm tired of it, my family and friends are also.

Putting the depression issue a side, let me talk about the craziness of my body.

I just NEVER feel good. A quick rundown starting with the most recent and in no particular order after that!

1. I have had a pain in the extreme lower back and somtimes radiates a bit down the hip/thigh. Okay, I've got that covered...I sit all curled up most of the time and Pretty sure it is sciatica..

2. The past few days I have had a backache, mainly in the middle of my back (near the bra band).....I never have had backaches before. I can't pinpoint anything that I have done. Or what makes it better or worse.
I have been using heating pad and it helps a bit.

I had a CT of the Chest as a follow up last week and it was shortly after that that I started with the backache.........certainly laying on that table for such a short time had nothing to do with it.

3. Joint aches and pains.............ugggggh.
My knees just don't want to work.

4. My memory and concentration are horrible. At first thought this was a side effect of radiation treatments and medication.
Thoughts leave my head before I even know they are in there! Scary.

5. I have been told (by my less than sympathic PCP) I have Osteoarthritis.........yup a quick squeeze of a swollen knee and his dx was made!!

6. A few years ago I was told Osteopenio...........

7. Now and then I will have a time when I can not keep my eyes open........what's up with that?

8. Extreme dry mouth and mega dental problems.

It's the new aches and pains in back area that have me concerned. And having major depression and panic/anxiety does not help at all.

Bloodwork for RA came back okay, soooooooo that was that!

I need to know what is going on and don't know what kind of a Doctor to even request an appt. with.................sometimes I feel like I should make an appt. with the morgue!!

This is just the tip of the ice burg........don't want to scare anyone away, but hoping someone can shed some light on my mess or lead me to the right forum.

Thanks all,
Abby
Posted 10/2/2012 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Did you have testing for lupus also when they did the RA?

Have you read the sticky thread on the main page called fibro 101? You can compare your symptoms to it.

Fibro is usually diagnosed when all tests come back negative.
Posted 10/3/2012 12:16 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks! The NP mentioned Lupus and such, but apparently when the RA came back ok, they figured all was well....NOT! I will read the fibro 101..............feel like I'm tumbling down a dark tunnel and trying to figure how to climb out!
Posted 10/3/2012 12:37 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Abby.

I was the same way before I was diagnosed. It's a scary feeling, like you're just falling apart. SO many symptoms that seem unrelated, and yet, with fibro, they are. My doctor assures me I'm basically healthy, I just "have a bunch of stuff that makes me miserable."   eyes  

 
Some of us see rheumatologists, some (like me) an internist; it just depends. I would ask, though, before I made an appt, whether a doc even believes in fibro. Hard to believe that in this day and age some wouldn't, but sadly, that's the case.

I wouldn't be surprised if holding an uncomfortable position during an MRI could cause a backache. The weirdest things do.

And the fog - wow! I had to laugh at your description: "Thoughts leave my head before I even know they're in there." Most of us can relate!

Debbie

Posted 10/3/2012 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Fibro is like being in a dark tunnel and trying to get out. I do hope that you find some comfort here in this wonderful forum. I know that I certanily have. And as far as where you belong as far as I'm concerned your going to all the right places, I have anxiety too but I like the fibro page because I feel like that's what I deal with the most. I wish you well and just know that you are not alone in how you feel.I hope you get to feeling better soon!
Posted 10/3/2012 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Wow I would have thought I wrote that if I did not know better. I suffer daily with the same problems you described and feel the same way every day. So! tired of hurting! Just had total shoulder replacement surgery that went very well! releived shoulder pain. I had both thumb joints removed and have deteriation of the lower disk in my back. How ever! those still are not my major problems. Like you I feel tired all the time and I am in constant pain They have tested me for r.a (negative results. Not really sure where to go from here maybe someone will have a suggestion for the both of us Just keep your head up and no your not alone!!  Phubbard
Posted 10/3/2012 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Girls!
Not that I would wish pain and such on others.......but it is nice to know that I am not alone.
Any of you ever go to a Chiropractor? I have never gone to one however several people has suggested it. Kind of scares me...think if I have 'something' wrong with me and go get my back cracked it will only intensify the problem (if there is one!)

Oh it's so much fun to be me!
Abby
Posted 10/3/2012 7:20 AM (GMT 0)
GRANNYMAE-welcome to the forum. You found a great place for support. First your not going crazy and your symptoms are real. Believe me once you can get a proper diagnoses things will make more sense to you. Have you been to a rheumatologist yet? This is where you need to start. You want one board certified and deals with Fibromalgia. They will order several test to rule out other things. Don't be surprised if lots of your test come back normal. That is very common in Fibromalgia. You do have several symptoms of fibro, but fibro symptoms can be so similiar of other diagnoses. This is why it's important to get a proper diagnoses.

If you do get diagnose with fibro, it can be manage. There are lots of great ideas here to learn how to manage fibro better. Let us know how things are going with your appointments.
Posted 10/3/2012 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
grannymae: Sorry about all the troubles--no fun, I know.

Sometimes it helps me to sit down with 'home remedy' books (or search online for something like 'natural remedy aches pains' (or whatever is the problem). Some of these ideas are bogus money-makers, true, but once in a while I find a good and helpful tip or two. As you know, too, we have to be careful about supplements, etc. and check with your doctor first.

I would start with just one of your issues, do a search on remedies for it, or get some home remedy books from the library (some are good and some are not!) and take notes (a notebook really helps). I do this and find I'm learning a lot more about pain management.

Best wishes and feel better!
Posted 10/3/2012 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Abby, and welcome!  It's possible you could have fibro but there are other illness that have many of the same symptoms so those have to be ruled out first.  I good board certified rheumatologist that treats fibro patients would be where I would be heading.  You see, with fibro, all of your tests come back just fine.  That's why they rule out the other illnesses.  If you don't have any of the other illnesses then a diagnosis of fibro is given.

 

By the way, many with fibro suffer with depression and anxiety!

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  Good starting links for you are called Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  You just might see yourself there.  All the links are good so do read them. 

 

But it's imperative that you find a good doctor that treats fibromyalgia patients.  There are still some doctors out there that are in the Dark Ages when it comes to this illness.  I always make sure my doctors are board certified. 

 

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.

Posted 10/3/2012 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you girls! I feel better already just talking to you all! I actually felt pretty good today..............that's the beauty of whatever this is.......on again and off again.
Don't get me wrong........I do have the heating pad cooking a spot on my back as I type!
I am going to find out if I need a referral to go to a Rheumatologist and go for it! One Doctor at a time...Pulmonary doc this week (follow up from Pnemonia (spelling) in February) (better late than never!)
GYN is next or in between.
I actually hit my deductible this year for the first time so going to try and get as much done as possible in the next 3 months!
And I will definitely find out before I make an appt. if the Doc 'believes' in Fibro.........
Thanks again,
Abby
Posted 10/4/2012 5:37 AM (GMT 0)

Abby, one thing you've got going for you is a killer sense of humor, and that sure helps when dealing with all of this crazy stuff!!  yeah

Just wanted to throw out there that if the method they used to test you for RA was to see if you tested positive for the "rheumatoid factor", a negative test doesn't mean you don't have RA.  Twenty percent of RA sufferers will never test positive--it's called "sero-negative RA", and that's what I've suffered from for over twenty-five years.  It's exactly the same disease as RA, so it sounds like going to a rheumatologist would definitely be something you would want to follow through on.  Let me know what happens!

Best of luck to you, and God Bless!

Posted 10/4/2012 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Chronic Hangnails! Kimliz...you must be my long lost twin!

I just read about Ankylosing Spondylitis and WOW, did that hit home.

Of course my PCP would have a fit...........he doesn't believe that Dr. Google has a license to practice medicine and wasn't such a fan when I told him that Dr. Google ALWAYS listens to what I am saying and gives me advice without shaking his head at me or giving me the 'are you nuts' look!!!!

Yup, get the Pulmonary Doc out of the way tomorrow and start my search for the RA Doc.

Thanks all,
Abby
Posted 10/4/2012 11:54 PM (GMT 0)

Abby, 

I can't believe you're a patient of Dr. Google's, too--isn't he great?  tongue   I love what you said to your doctor, and I too have been on the receiving end of the head shake and the 'are you nuts' look!  Have you seen the eye roll that's apparently taught in medical school?  It usually makes an appearance after you mention statements that begin with "I was looking online and..." 

Seriously, do they really think that we're going to experience frightening and out-of-the-ordinary medical symptoms and just stare at the wall while we wait for our sliver of their time?!  Sheesh!

You're right, since you've met the deductible, you may as well squeeze in every appointment that you can.  Good luck with all of your doctoring, and please keep posting...best of luck!

Posted 10/6/2012 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
And then there were 4......not good when talking about teeth!

Good Morning gals,
Pulmonary Doc went well......what's one more med, right?!

Honestly....don't you love reading/hearing side effects of a medicine. Advair .... given for asthma, bronchial and such. Warning: May cause upper respiratory infections, pneumonia and bone/muscle pain.
HELLO!!

Not sure if I mentioned teeth trouble or not...............I have always had bad teeth........taken care of, but troublesome. Every tooth in mouth has a crown on and I'd bet all have root canals.
Now, the past few years they have been breaking off. confused
I have a partial on the bottom that has been added to with each tooth extraction (from breaking)...........yesterday, the only tooth left on one side that was holding the partial in place broke off...............free floating partial now.

Not to complain this weekend! I will take my achy breaky body and make the best of it. Take some super glue and see if I can get partial to stay in........serious about the 'free floating partial' and go about my day!

Abby
Posted 10/6/2012 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Advair for 10 plus years. Respiratory infections 2X a year. Pneumonia one time the whole time. No bone/muscle pains until last two years from lupus and fibro.

You don't by any chance suffer from acid reflux? It can eat up your teeth.
Posted 10/6/2012 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Joy...........yup, acid reflux also! However, I was dx'd with Hiatal Hernia(spelling) back in 91, so won't blame my current list of cruds on that.
I was on some nasty medicine for 6 years and truly think that pushed me over the edge into this whirlwind of 'what is wrong with me'............(the med wasn't for the reflux)...............
Posted 10/6/2012 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
I had the acid reflux surgery almost 3 years ago and it has helped me tremendously. :)
It was messing up my teeth and my lungs. After the surgery I stopped having the lung infections and my cavities stopped.
Posted 11/5/2012 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
WooHoo, I found you gals! I just posted on the RA thread (I think) that it was sad that I couldn't remember where I asked questions and talked to you wonderful ladies!

Aches and pains continue, issues with lower (very low) back.....always the ache/pain. Achy, stiffness I can work out in morning............the pain is like a 'sore spot' and sometimes goes right through to front (or feels like it).

I do have a appointment with PCP (guy friendly) tomorrow (Monday).............main complaint is this large lump in abdomen that has been there for over 2 years..........well, it has gotten a lot worse and the sore spots from the back and the tenderness in belly....................which me luck with getting a referral to a RA also and you may want to throw in a prayer that he doesn't say something stupid and tick me off again!

Thanks all!
Gabby
Posted 11/5/2012 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Grannymae,

Sorry to hear about all that you're going through. Just to let you know our diet, what we put in our mouths can contribute bigtime to the amount of pain we have, how we feel, and how our organs function.

Too much caffiene, sugar, fatty foods, processed foods, spicy foods, acidic foods, some have sensitivity to wheat like myself, unhealthy carbs, soda...

Good luck to you.
Posted 11/5/2012 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you get some answers and also a referral. It's important to know what you are dealing with so you can face it head on and have a good plan of attack.

Do try to keep moving throughout the day. This does help with pain and fatigue. I use over the counter pain relievers and some supplements to help control my pain....along with stretching exercises, daily gentle exercise like walking or swimming, and pacing myself when doing things. Some people have reactions to certain foods but I sure don't! The exception is caffeine and it's a problem everyone has....can't sleep if I have caffeine after early afternoon.

Please let us know what you find out because we do care a out you. Glad you found us again, too!

Sherrine
Posted 11/5/2012 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
Yikes, just remembered my doc appt!

Granny, the memory probs are ok hon. It happens to all of us. When I got my radiation treatments, I became fuzzy too. I could tell you my plans for four months at a time before radiation. Now I'm a nutcase always losing something. At the check out last night, I forgot the avacados, bread, cat litter, spinach. I was being scanned, well my food. So I had to put everythign in the car, run around again. Except I had everything else I forgot and none of those four. Luckily that side kick came up to me and leaned in and looked at the food "hey I thought we came back for avacados, bread, spinach and cat litter." I looked down "Oh oh yea, thanks." Luckily my friend found me that came with me and went to do his shopping for his family and I muttered while putting the groceries in the car the stuff I forgot.

Sherrine really meant to say about not a out. It's true though, we really do care about (sorry Sherrine lol) you and please keep us posted
Posted 11/5/2012 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gabby,

So glad you found your way back to us...I was wondering how you were doing! 

Sorry to hear you're still having problems.  Good luck at your doctor visit tomorrow...I hope you're successful in getting the referral you want and that this doc is on his best behavior! wink

I'm sending a prayer your way...please keep us posted!

 

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