Just need to whine a bit.......

I'm not here very often. I just plug along, trying to keep all the various pains at bay. I have osteoarthritis too, which is a bad combo with fibro. I did alot of work over the last christmas holiday. I need to figure out how to not do all that stuff again, but it's hard when it's I who make christmas nice for some people. I did a lot of standing, which can really do my legs in.
My various labs are always normal. But in January, I woke up one day with all my pains much worse than ever. I just assumed it was a flare and planned on waiting it out. I also have sleep apnea and wear a cpap......but my sleep has lessened to 5-7 hours/night. I started taking more cyclobenzaprine at night and that increased my sleep time, but I would wake up with much worse pains in the morning. I think that's because when I take it, I don't move as much during the night, and it makes me stiffer.
My doc ordered PT for me, since my legs have so many pains (need a knee replacement, which I won't have). The PT doesn't seem to have much of an affect.

I have bad feet and have worn orthotics most of my life (custom), but started making my own for the last 12 years, and they seemed to help. But recently my feet started hurting more, so I got new custom orthotics. Now my toes are hurting so bad it wakes me up.

I guess what I'm saying is........do you ever feel that you have something systemic that's worse than FMS/osteoarthritis, and the docs just don't dig deep enough? I've had labs drawn on a regular basis and they're always normal. I did finally have a thoracic MRI which showed a possible fracture of my T12, so I saw a spine person......but it had to be the PA first, before I could get an appointment with the doc. He seemed very capable......although he tested my feeling in my lower legs, just by quickly patting on my legs over my jeans..which was a bit curious to me, since my lower legs are a bit numb. He said I have a stress fracture of T12, but it has no consequence to all my pains. Several months ago, I developed a bad pain in my back muscle, just to the right of T12, but he said it likely had nothing to do with it. It's one of the pains that is here 24/7 and never budges......and he said to have the PT handle it.

I try to keep active, but don't do anywhere near as much as I used to. I have to use the electric carts in the big box stores. I have a golf cart that I ride out to my garden. I have small water gardens in my back yard. We have a lot of property that I used to be quite involved in, but it's just too hard anymore.

I'm just about ready to try acupuncture or alternative med doctors next.

I know I probably "should" get a knee replacement, but I just don't want it. Period. I can't imagine that's causing all my other problems. Yes, it has some affect, but I feel like something changed drastically in January and I've become very depressed because of the pain. The doc had me try Tramadol for awhile, but it didn't seem to do much. I've never had a lot of luck which opioids........which is probably best! I take about 3g of Tylenol/day all the time.

I'm just so confused about this descent into hell all of a sudden after Christmas. I was tested for Lyme about 15 years ago and it was negative, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to retest for that, since we live in the woods.....but I've never found one embedded on me. (that I knew of). I don't have fevers, but I do have a fair amount of hot flashes. I'm 69 and my doc said at my last visit........"Well, you ARE almost 70, after all". I see lots of older people who seem to be doing lots better than me. Maybe I just can't handle growing older and having to give up so much..........but it seems like I shouldn't be having so many parts of me breaking down.

They teach med students "approach your patients as horses........not zebras.".......meaning don't think too deeply about unusual possibilities.........but I really do feel like a zebra.

Thanks for listening. I'm just so weary of all this pain. And there seems to be new problems every week. I'm so tired of it all. And it doesn't help when doctors don't seem to have much time for me, or any compassion. And no one ever seems to think out of the box.

CAthyA, I am sorry to hear that you are going through all of this. Sometimes I think that Fibro is just a mean trick being played on me and other times I look at it as a puzzle that I have to figure out how all of the pieces fit together. I know that I cannot give you any advice that you have not heard, I only can tell you what helps me on most days. When I have a project (Christmas, gardening, Family visits, house chores ...) to do, I always make a plan with benchmarks. But I know that the best made plans are those that have flexibility built in. I know that I cannot accomplish everything that I want to everyday, so I just go about doing everything in life with a slow and easy pace. And if I do not finish a task, then I always tell myself that there is always tomorrow. I see it as that it is not so important when I finish, but that I do finish it. There always is that sense of accomplishment when you finish something no matter how long that it takes you. And when it comes to Doctors, the best advice that I can give you is don't give up searching for that Doctor that makes you feel comfortable and that you believe that they listen to you and take in consideration of what you say. I've seen a lot of bad Doctors, and some good ones, but I can also say that I have seen two great Doctors. When you run across a bad Doctor, just move on. When it comes to your body, nobody except you is an expert. I found out that if you can speak some medical terminology to Doctors, they are more apt to listen to you. But whatever you do, please do not say to an ER Doctor that they are belittling you and are obnoxious. I did that and had security called on me. But hey, it's a good story to tell. But most importantly, listen to your body. And when your body says enough, stop and find a comfortable spot to curl up in. Also, try to find some inspiration every day. It could be something as simple as your grass is green (because you did have an effect in that) or it can be a beautiful sunset (or sunrise if you prefer them). But whatever you do, keep talking because sometimes just talking about something is the best medicine.

Regards,

James

Sherrine, you are so knowledgeable, and I just want to say thanks for all the information you provide!!
You are helping so many people with your story and sharing of ideas. ☺ I for one am very appreciative.

Thanks everyone! I do really appreciate your info and support.

I do try to stay active, but it seems like I always pay a price. I've been in P.T. for about 6 weeks now, and even though I feel better right after that and after I do the exercises, it seems to wear off so quickly. There doesn't seem to be anywhere in my body that doesn't hurt at one point in the day. The fact that it's all so global, makes me wonder if I should give something like Cymbalta a try. I guess I fear new symptoms and having my brain act differently, while adjusting to a drug like that. Then....if you ever have to come off of it, that has it's own struggles.
It's really hard to know if I've become so depressed from the pain, or visa versa.

One thing that I find very strange is that I can't have pain without panic and depression. Maybe they have the same neuro pathways in my brain. I just feel that if I had pain without those other 2 things, it wouldn't be so bad.
I've had funky problems since childhood, and at times it seems I have some sort of congenital problem, but it wasn't deadly, or I wouldn't be 69! But........there's a lot to say for quality rather than quantity.

But you're right Sherrine........it's important to make small adjustments (like sitting at the table to chop veggies, rather than standing, etc.). So many things we always took for granted are gone now and there's not much option, other than accepting things and moving on as best we can.
Thanks everyone.

Thanks Sherrine. I guess I just have to take a chance....and maybe go back 2 steps first, in order to go forward. I just wish my neuro system wasn't so darned over-reacting to everything. It makes me scared to try anything. I am on a small amount of sertraline, but I have the feeling it just doesn't help anymore, and I can't go up because of the incredible GI side-effects I get with it. I guess I just have to be brave and try some things! Another thing I learned is to start low on meds.....even though the "normal" dose might be a lot higher.
Thanks!

Cathy, we can really relate and sometimes we do need to get it off our chest..

I wanted to take vacation with the kids this summer, so i went through some intensive Pt.. and took the trip.. gotta say..i am pretty exhausted now that we are back , but it was worth it..
I love being on the beach and every minute with our kids is a special blessing.

Do you use any topical pain relievers.. they help me a lot to just block out a pain area..since i cnnot tolerate much meds for pain.

My therapy was a bit different this time..lots of exercises, followed by massage, which seemed backwards 😊 and then icing any sore areas from exercise..i felt looser and stronger so it was empowering...i am seeing if i can keep this up at home or if i will go back some

Lj

Cathy,

Once for an ankle injury, a ankle specialist prescribed an anti inflammatory cream, that i took to a therapist and they used it with electrodes..my therapist scoffed some at the treatment , but it did help..i am a big believer in topicals..i usually use natural ones, but one of my favorites is now off the market... a dr.. invented it and made a humongess batch, when that batch finally sold off he had lost interest ..i always wonder what he did after that.. cause i bought it in bulk and gave it to friends and family and they all loved it..it helped so many people..i wish he had sold off the formula at least...sigh 😊

Hi luvs,

I did try blue emu years ago..but remember it having too strong a smell for me ,at the time..

Have not heard of the others...the one that everyone liked so much was called pain erase.but its off the market now..the girl that was selling it..said bio freeze might be the most similar..but i do not remember that being as strong.

Let us know if you find anything great 😊

I am curious about the patches called luminas , but imagine they are pricey ..i have not had time to look into it..

I was looking into something called ginger patch for my daughter but it has way too many herbs in it, and they would not tell me where its manufactured..

Years ago , my dr said if you try any herbs , they need to be manufactured in the USA, because china cheats and puts meds into their herbs to make them seem more effective..😳

I use Sombra Warm Therapy. It comes in a cream and also a roll on. I use the roll on and it has really helped me a lot. It is all natural and the scent isn’t strong and the scent dissipates quickly.

Sherrine

Thanks, Sherrine.

Would you happen to know if Sombra Warm Therapy is the same as "Sore No More Warm Therapy"? I found that when I went to the Swanson Vitamins website. It says it's from the makers of Sombra, but unless I missed it, I didn't see the Sombra Warm Therapy there, which seems kind of odd.

Sounds promising--I like the "warm therapy" part; heat often helps me.