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Fibro and RA SUCKS

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Posted 12/27/2012 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
OK I am new posting here- I try not to complain. I am 32 years young female who feels like crap all the time. I have been diagnosed with RA about two years ago and am not responding to medication very well. I also have Fibro which sucks too! I am not sure which one sucks more! I constantly feel like my wrists are on fire for starters- an intense burning pain and then have chronic all over pain. Its hard to tell at times what hurts more if that makes sense. I wanted to know if anyone else has both RA/Fibro and what is helping you live a better life? It also doesn't help that I have PCOS and am 100+ pounds overweight from years and years of sleep interruptions, lack of sleep or insomnia along with PTSD....YIKES!

Just felt like posting to get this out and also to know that I am not alone in this craptastic battle!! yeah devil
Posted 12/27/2012 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, Denisemichelle,

I'm sorry you're in such pain. No, you're definitely not alone! Several of our members have both Fibro and RA. If you haven't already, check out "Fibro 101," our 1st thread. It's chock full of great info that could help you.

We are each so unique in what helps us....that comes up all the time here. What's a wonder drug for one will be useless, or even dangerous, for someoone else. The same with other treatments. It's trial and error. Fibro is so weird! I'm sure it's way worse, with your double problems.

I hope you'll stick around and become one of the "family," because we really do help eachother through some tough times. Never would I have expected that with an online support group, but now I'm a believer :)

Debbie
Posted 12/27/2012 6:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, welcome to the forum... you are not alone.

Many of us have multiple chronic pain conditions. The way you think about your condition does have an influence on how you deal with it. No doubt fibro and RA are painful but our conditions can not be the focus of our life. Thinking how bad I hurt does not help me.
Meds can only do so much, finding what helps us is trial and error.

Learning to live with pain is an ongoing process. My attitude plays an important part of how I feel...I can no longer waste time being angry, it only brings me down. I choose to do what helps me. I have found that daily exercise pays off...I walk outdoors when I can...fresh air, sunshine help me feel better.

Keeping my stress level down has helped too. I take time during the day for relaxation therapy, deep breathing exercise, using mental imagery...Sometime a long soak in the tub helps.

Enjoying time with friends is a good pain distraction or enjoying a hobby will take the focus of the pain.

We are all so differant when it comes to medications. Methotrexate has helped with my RA, Lupus and Scleroderma.
Savella and muscle relaxers help with the fibro.

Being proactive and believing we are not our illnesses is very important. I believe our thinking can help us through tough situatuions. Yes we have some obstacles in our life but in the end they make us stronger and fibromites are tough :)

I'm glad you have joined us, we are here for you...keep posting because we do care:)

Hugs, Robin
Posted 12/27/2012 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Acheybody & crazykitty for your support and insight! It is great to know that I am not alone!! I am going to continue to stay on here for support and guidance!! Thanks!!
Posted 12/27/2012 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, being in pain all the time is no fun. My ankles are my trouble spots, not sure why. Everyone can relate to the pain, and understand the struggle to get up and get moving.

The thing that works best for me is sleep medication. Without good sleep, I cannot manage the rest of the day, let alone the other symptoms. If I don't sleep, I have more pain, more fog, less energy and more balance issues.

It had taken me years to find a group of medications that work well for me without being too much or too little. Since everyone has different systems, and conditions, and reactions, and tolerances, it is so hard to find what works for you! Right now, i take 50 mg tramadol in the morning, and half a hydrocodone at night. That basic regimin seems to keep my pain under control most of the time. Some people use OTCs, and others have muscle relaxants. Too much tramadol messes with my body and keeps me up. I tried the 'fibro' meds of lyrica and cymbalta, and they were a bad idea with my body chemistry.

I also take effexor for depression, which has also helped me significantly. I also have ulcerative colitis, but keep that mainly in Check with meds. I also take a bunch of supplements, daily. Niacin, fish oil, magnesium, vit. d, multivit, and curcumin.

For me, regular exercise and proper eating make a difference. Keeping my body moving and avoiding foods that will make my
body unhappy keeps flares at a minimum.

Welcome, and have a happy pain-free day.
Posted 12/27/2012 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Denise, and welcome! I am one that has fibro and a form of RA called ankylosing spondylitis. That affects the entire back. I also have a myriad of other chronic conditions which I've listed in my signature but I still have had a full and enjoyable life in spite of these things. I was young, also, when my body started falling apart but, like Robin just said, I didn't dwell on it. I've learned how to work around the pain to do what I want to do.

Having a positive outlook has helped me immensely. I look at my many blessings and am so thankful and I focus on the good things and the pain does fade in the background somewhat! There is a good link in Fibro 101 about maintaining a positive attitude. It really is good and I go back and read it occasionally, too. Every little bit helps.

I use ibuprofen with food, extra strength Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements, vitamin D3 supplements, and a muscle relaxer called Robaxin that all help with pain and fatigue. I also do daily stretching exercises, I walk daily as a gentle form of exercise. Swimming is another good exercise for both arthritis and fibro. When I lived up north, I bought a walking-in-place video to use when the weather was bad. Mine is by Leslie Sansone. I also pace myself when I do anything and that helps too. All of the above help me be in control of the pain and let me lead my life.

I lost 85 pounds around seven years ago, have kept it off, and do feel better since I did that. I am putting less stress on my muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints now and my body thanks me for that. I was overweight for quite a few years and was in my late 50's when I lost the weight. It gets harder to lose weight the older you get. I, too, have had years of sleep interruptions because of pain but that's not how I put on so many pounds. I gained my weight by grazing in the fridge and pantry. I finally woke up to what I was doing to my body and started my walking and also counting carbohydrates. It took me about ten months to lose the weight. I didn't gain it overnight so I didn't try to lose it overnight. I wanted to do this safely and make it a way of life so I was losing about two to three pounds a week. If you are interested in what I did, email me and I'll send you info as to what I did. Just click in the little envelope under my name at the right of this post, and it will set you up to email me.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. Debbie mentioned that, too. Because there is a wealth of info about fibro that could help you, too.

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 1/8/2013 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone- dr just wrote me a rx for Lyrica and I am hesitant. Anyone tried it before? Thanks for your insight as always!
Posted 1/9/2013 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with everyone. I was recently diagnosed with fibro as if I didn't already have enough.
Whether is Lupus, Sjorgrens. Fibro, lymphoma, Gerd. spinal arthriris or others, attitude and exercise plays a large part in how we feel. Getting our minds off of ourselves and on others also help. No matter how bad we feel there is always someone is worse shape. I could not make it without my faith in God and my support system.
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