Posted 1/18/2014 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Skylar's Mom, and welcome! You can have fibro and a myriad of other problems, too, so you could have fibro. Doctors "don't want to go there" because most don't know what to do about it or they might be in the Dark Ages when it comes to this illness and they think it's all in our heads. Nope! They are wrong.
The doctors studying this illness are thinking this is a neurological problem now. The very first link in Fibro 101...when you first open it...is an interview with Dr. Daniel Clauw who is one of the top doctors studying fibro. The interview is good and pretty easy to understand, too. So, you might want to read that if you haven't already.
I have GERD and Crohn's disease. I avoid acidic foods like pepper spices and tomatoes and I also avoid grease and that helps a lot. You said you have constant diarrhea. IBS can go hand in hand with fibro. It's not caused by fibro but quite a few members have IBS along with fibro. We do have a good IBS forum on HealingWell and you might get some help there. I do suggest that you keep a food journal and see if there are foods that are causing the diarrhea. I get diarrhea from some foods and can be constipated from other foods. But I know what they are now and avoid them.
We have had several thread about feeling like their hair is hurting so you are not alone there. We have a google custom search at the top of the page and you can see if it will pull up that thread/s so you can read what others had to say about that.
It's difficult for fibromites to sleep. We have a hard time getting into the REM sleep where our body starts to heal itself. I used to be awakened by pain at least 5 times a night. I started a muscle relaxer a little over a year ago and now I only get up once to use the bathroom and I am sleeping a lot better. So this is a thought for you. The muscle relaxer can help your all over body pain, too. It sure did for me. I take half the pain medication I was taking now. I use a muscle relaxer caller Robaxin. I only need half of what my doctor prescribed, too! I'm not dizzy, sleepy, etc. It's like I am not taking a muscle relaxer but I feel so much better.
Your dry eyes can be from Sjogren's Syndrome and some with fibro have this also.
Have the doctors ever checked your thyroid? That can cause some of the symptoms, too. My thyroid tests fluctuate but overall it is fine. But some do take thyroid medication if it is warranted.
I'm also diabetic and have managed to keep it under control by counting carbs and taking medication. I use Glyburide and take 6 units of insulin just before dinner. This works for me. So, if you are on medication and are watching what you are eating and STILL don't have control of your blood sugar, you need a different medication. If your doctor doesn't work with you, you should see an endocrinologist. My Internist handles my diabetes. You know that diabetes can cause a myriad of problems including heart problems and also being prone to strokes so perhaps that is what is causing the problems in you. We also have a good diabetes forum on HealingWell and you can get help there for diabetes.
Be sure your doctors are board certified. I just can't believe that none are helping you. If you get the diabetes under control that will help make you feel better. The pain can get under control too. Many see a rheumatologist about their fibro.
Yes, I know. You have a lot of doctors. So do I. I have an Otolaryngologist, Internist, Rheumatologist, Gastroenterologist, Dermatologist, Opthamologist and a few others thrown in. But, because I see good doctors for the various problems I have, I'm doing really good...the doctors are very surprised at HOW good I am doing! This can happen with you too. By the way, do you have a teaching hospital near you? If so, that is a great place to find good doctors to help you.
I don't use the heavy duty medications for my pain and fatigue from fibro. I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, magnesium malate, vitamin D3, and the muscle relaxer I mentioned above. Unfortunately, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another so it is a trial and error sort of thing. I also do gentle stretching exercises daily, I walk and/or swim as a daily gentle exercise (and this helps with pain, fatigue, and diabetes), and I pace myself when doing things. All of these things help me live with fibro successfully.
I'm glad you are reading Fibro 101. It has a lot of good info in it. You need to be knowledgeable about fibro because we do have to be our own advocates when it comes to this illness. Be sure to read the link called What Else Could It Be. We share symptoms with other illnesses like MS, Lyme disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and others. This is why it's important to have the other illnesses ruled out before a diagnosis of fibro is given. There really are no good tests for fibro. Doctors do use a tender point test but even that is changing now.
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