Fibromyalgia flare???

You may want to read the Fibro 101 thread, it has some really good information on it.

I also have RA & Fibro but fortunately, haven't had the sweats/chills you've mentioned.

You may also want to get a second opinion from another Rhuematologist, I wouldn't feel comfortable with the Dr. asking me what tests or meds to run, that's what you pay them for.

Best Wishes to you,

Brenda

Thank you for the advice. My doctor just upped my methotrexate and started me on Orencia. These are RA medications so I really don't understand how these will help with the fibro. I only take Lyrica for the fibro. Do you also suffer cold sweats during a fibro flare? I guess I'm just trying to understand exactly what a fibro flare is since I'm new to this diagnosis.

Welcome maddena! You found a great forum to be on! I came here not knowing how to manage my fibro too. It was in no time I learned some great ideas on managing my fibro better.

I would recommend you reading some books on fibro. There are so many out there on line. Education is so important in your treatment with fibro. I found out it relieved a lot of my anxiety about the symptoms I was experiencing. The books I have read went through all the symptoms and why you have them.

I am not sure how good your Dr. Is if they asked you those questions you mention. Most rheumatologist will order multiple labs works to rule out other auto immune disease. Hopefully they ordered you a lupus, thyroid and vitamin D level. There are so many more to be looked at too. Maybe your Dr. was talking out loud as he wrote those orders. Some dr's can be odd at times. Lol

The best way you can learn here is to ask questions and read post frequently. This way you learn new ideas to manage your fibro better. We are all different so we react different to treatments too. One thing might work for you, but not for others. You have to give it time to work too.

When I get around air conditioning it gives me chills and makes me ache real bad. I get stiff all over if I am under one. I live in Alaska now and we don't need air conditioning in my home. Make sure you don't settle down in one place to long unless its bed time. Exercise is the best solution for fibro pain. I would of never guessed it before. Now I am a firm believer in it. I try to keep my treatment plan for fibro simple. You will find out most fibromites are very senstive to drug reactions. So I try to keep mine as natural as possible.

I take vitamin D, magnesium, calcium, rest, heat, exercise, eat healthy, limit stress, remron and subutex for pain. I learned this from here. It took some time to perfect, but it works great for me.

I hope we see you around again. Feel free to ask questions or vent the day away.

Welcome!!
When I flare, which is happening a lot lately because I am under a tremendous amount stress at work, but there can be a few days to a week a month I am extremely Achey and in pain. There are times I am beyond exhausted and can sleep for 20 hours straight getting up to go to the bathroom and maybe eat once. Everyone is different. My Dr wasn't alarmed at all, like I was, for sleeping so long. He said it is your body's way of telling you it's time to stop and heal. He told me Fibro is like a migraine of the body. Since I get head migraines I thought this was a great way to explain it. This is what I tell people when they don't know about Fibro.
Oh and yes to the sweating...I am not sure if it is medicine related but there are times, I just start sweating, usually in a flare.
Best of luck! This is a wonderful place to be able to talk. We all can relate and understand what Fibro can do to you....I would look for a knew dr though. One that takes charge. They are the ones who went to school and gets paid a lot. They shouldn't be asking u what tests to it or what meds to take.
Lyrica has really helped me..

Thank you ALL so much for your responses and insights. I thought I was going crazy having these "flares" if that's what they are. I don't really hurt anywhere and I'm not sensitive to touch...I just have no desire to get out of bed...I sweat when air hits my body. I sleep for HOOOOOOUUUUURRRRSSSS!!!! When I do wake up every few hours...I am not sweating but as soon as I do wake...the sweating starts. I also feel weird...like I don't know who I am and I just want to get out of the body I'm in and back in mine! I guess everyone is different. I've decided to stay with this doctor bc my original dr who diagnosed me 5 years ago and has been with me since ... Only sees patients 2 days a week and 1 of those days is out of town. None of his colleagues see one another's patients in case of an emergency. This new doctor has about 5 colleagues and they will see you. She works 4 1/2 days a week so I feel better having someone like that. I think she was hesitant to see me bc she knew I had a rheumy already and she didn't want to step on any toes. But when she did my bloodwork....she called me the next day and told me my inflammatory markers were elevated. She upped my methotrexate to 10 pills a week instead of 6 and added Orencia infusion every month. So she is taking on my care now. She wants to see me back in 4 weeks...I am going to be asking her if I should also up my Lyrica dosage (I am on 50mg twice a day) because the flares I have been having lately are NOT RA flares....at least they aren't the ones I am used to having the last 5 Years. I just assumed these were fibro flares bc they didn't start until I got that diagnosis. I don't know if methotrexate and Orencia will help with the fibro or not. If not, I will ask her to go down to the minimum methotrexate if I'm going to be on the Orencia and either up my Lyrica or add something along with it. What do you guys think about that? LOL
I know I'm long winded....sorry....part of my ADD! ;-)