Update - added diagnosis

Shortly after my first post here, I went on vacation. Due to sharing with my dr that prednisone (taken for a rash in the spring) had helped with some of my joint pain and the fact I had elevated CRP, we decided to try a 10 day course to see if it helps. I did have some improvement in ankles, knee and wrist pain. I hadn't realized that my hands were swollen, but I noticed when the puffiness went away. In some ways I felt worse, and many of my fibromyalgia symptoms did not go away.

My hands actually are doing this weird thing - the middle and 4th finger are almost "stuck" together - no space in between them. Same fingers on both hands.

Saw the dr. this week & we talked about my reaction to the steroids. Since I did have some relief and now the joint pain is back, plus with my hands being stiff and "weird", he's thinking early RA along with fibromyalgia. Of course, so many symptoms overlap between the two, like fatigue and muscle aches.

He started me on Plaquenil and said we'll know more in a few months after it starts working. I am concerned about RA, but I'd rather know then go untreated.

I can't believe how fast my life has changed in less than a year. Cutting my hours in half has definitely helped with my stress levels, but I am still working through feelings of loss over all this. I'm thankful for this forum - I definitely need all the support I can get!

I remember your post about how prednisone helped you and I was wondering because prednisone doesn't usually help just fibro because fibro isn't an inflammatory illness according to reputable sites.

Maybe you have a little osteoarthritis and not rheumatoid arthritis. I'm glad your doctor is watching you and listening to you, too. That is important.

You are still grieving but soon you will fall into acceptance and your life should improve. I focus on living my life...not fibro. I give fibro no power in my life and have gone on to live a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness. I find ways to work around fibro to do what I want to do and I do try just about anything, too. I never look at myself as disabled. I just have some illnesses I need to work around to live my life the way I want to. My list is getting longer the older I get but I just face things head on and get on with living.

I'm a positive thinker and that has helped me a lot. I look at all I CAN do and that list is quite long.....far longer than the list of things I have difficulty or can't do. There is a wonderful link in Fibro 101 about maintaining a positive attitude when having chronic pain. This has helped me quite a bit and I reread it when I'm having one of those days.

Let us know what your doctor finds out. If they are not a rheumatologist, you might want to look for a good board certified rheumatologist since arthritis is one of their specialties. My Internist, who I love, suggested I see a rheumatologist when my back pain got worse and worse and I was diagnosed with an arthritis-type disease of my spine. I got the help I needed and am back enjoying life again. I think you will too.

Sherrine

Fibromom- I am glad to hear that your getting better management of your fibro. It does take time to learn what works for you and what doesn't. At least you realize that working less hours does help. I could tell a big difference with my health when I stop working. My stress is very limited to the point I probably don't know how to handle stress anymore. Lol

I still go through some days wanting to work and provide more financial for my family. As soon as I think it, then I have a rough day with pain and fatigue. I have found out the keeping a schedule and staying busy in a light way I do better. It allows me to refocus my pain on other things.

I continue to learn from this forum each day. I am like you that I really happy to have this forum. I hope to see you around again.