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Posted 8/23/2008 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
I finally got to see my doctor today.  It was a good visit but a little confusing.  I asked him about begin deficient in vitamins and if he would test me.  He said that they do not test for that.  I asked him about Malic acid/Magnesium supplements and he said it was all greek to him.  What!! Your a doctor?  I'm confused  eyes .  However, he did say he would support me trying the supplements; it couldn't hurt.  So, I'm going to order the supplements and give it a try.

We did talk about my shoulder problems which I have had for at least six years.  Now he tells me it is not caused by my fibro (ok, where has this man been - I have been complaining about this since 2002, it was in his records).  I was sent for an x-ray and am scheduled to have an MRI done Monday morning.  The doc thinks it's a rotator cuff problem.  My thought is what if this caused my fibro (I can't remember when this all started, another fun thing, memory loss).  I have heard that trauma is suspected as being one of the causes.  What if my body was trying to recover from an injury (which I do not recall having, I just woke up one morning in extreme pain in my neck and shoulder) and that caused the fibro.  I guess I will never know but I can't stop thinking about it.  I guess I'm jumping ahead of myself, I don't even know if I have a problem.  It could turn out like everything else, they will tell me they found nothing.  Ok, enough babbling (sorry i'm in a little pain from the visit, I think it's going to my head).

Thanks for listening, I just wanted to get all that out!

Meggie

Posted 8/23/2008 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
  As far as the vitamin deficiency I know that they can test for B12 and a couple others and of course red blood cells that could show iron deficiency or other anemias.  Anemia can cause a lot of symptoms that are also fibro symptoms as well.  (joint aches, confusion, insomnia etc)  So if you havent

been tested for this stuff you probably should be. 

  Also lots of people swear by the malic acid/magnesium cocktail.  So I would try it . 

  Welcome to the world of specialists.  They know a lot about one special thing but seem like complete morons about anything outside of their own little specialty.  I can't tell you how many times I've come out of a dr appt only to ask myself,  "What the blank was that?" shakehead Specialists like to play pass the patient and before you know it you have a different dr for every symptom. Good luck with your mri and even if they dont find anything doesn't mean it's not there. 

take care

Posted 8/23/2008 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Meggie, I know I'm having blood work next week and one of the things he's checking is for vitamin B deficieney.  They can not check for all nutrients, though.  Some doctors know more about vitamins and herbal remedies.  Mine isn't that proficent in it but he knows if something would hurt me or not.  That's why I check with both my doctor AND my pharmacist.  Pharmacists should know about the vitamins and herbal things and whether or not they will interact with what medications they are taking.  I just love my pharmacist.  He has helped me so much.  Actually, more than my doctor when it comes to vitamins and herbs.

 

Maybe you have both fibro and a rotor cuff injury.  It will be good to rule that out. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 8/23/2008 7:03 PM (GMT 0)

I do have Fibro, I'm not questioning that and neither is my doctor, he is the one who sent me to a Rhuemy (sorry can't spell today) and she tested me and said I had a classic case (whatever that means).  I guess I just don't understand how five doctors missed this and if they had caught it would I not have Fibro right now.  I guess I can't go back so I will manage whatever they find.

I am very excited about trying the supplements. I need to go back and look at exactly what I need to get.  I'm just going to play it safe and go with the one from Puritan.com.  I have had a lot of blood work so I'm not to concerned about being deficient in vitamins.  I think something would have showed in one of them.  My iron was check by my gyno, so I know that is ok.

I am having a pretty tough day after the doctor manipulated my shoulder yesterday, it was really painful.  It seems to have sent me into a minor flair-up.  I had restless legs last night and today I cannot seem to find my words and talk about an air head.  I'm glad I don't have to work today.  My husband said he was taking me out tonight so that is something to look forward too.  I think I'm gonna need a nap first.

Thanks for the info!

Meggie

Posted 8/23/2008 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there Meggie,

  I hope your shoulder is doing better. One thing you need to remember about rotator cuff problems is that they can be caused by wear and tear not just big traumatic injuries. And they can start small and get progressively worse which might be part of what you are going through. As to whether or not the shoulder problem caused the fibro that may be difficult to determine especially since you didn't have a big injury. Please don't beat yourself up about that possibility. It will just make the pain worse and won't change anything. It sounds like you have a functional problem with your shoulder and the fibro is making the pain worse. From my own experience, I truly believe that once you get the orthopedic issues in your shoulder dealt with that your overall level of pain should improve. Good luck with that and please try to relax. Enjoy your outing with your hubby.    Your U.P. friend, Lisa

Posted 8/23/2008 7:43 PM (GMT 0)

Meggie, hi how are you doing? I have had Fibro since I was litttle, only dx since a couple of yrs ago. 13 yrs ago I was dx w/ bursitis in left sholder, then 11 yrs ago same thing in my right shoulder. For that bout I was given cortisone, developed Shingles a wk later, 1 of a dozen rounds. My shoulders have been a prob for yrs., can't hold them up to long, to hang laundry on the line, shampooing, hair drying, torture! It got so bad I have it from my shoulder down into my wrist/hand. I went to ortho dr. I also have same prob w/ my 2 knees. I have had first series of shots in both knees OMG that hurt. He is trying to build cartilage in the knees, cause they swing backwards and I lose my balance. So far haven't hit the floor. Yeah me! I'm in PT for my arm and hand. I just started my 2nd round of PT. My tendons are shot, the exercises exhaust me, but I keep going. The other day the therapist asked me to make a fist. Slowly my hand started to close and I tried to clench. He watched and started to laugh, not mean, just like he couldn't believe it. My grip is horrible. My back is a mess, getting on the flat table is hard, getting off the table is worse. He said do you always move so slowly, I said I'm happy I can move. I have been trying to get him to understand FMS, he couldn't understand why I'm always nauseous. No matter how rotten I feel, I show up and do every exercise he has. Then I go home and collapse, lol.

My ROM is better, but still some stretches take every ounce of courage to keep from screaming or punching him. The muscles, tendons, and ligaments are the areas hit by FMS, so these are our weak areas. I also have severe OA thru out my body.

Sometimes drs. see one thing and figure they found THE answer, sometimes there are other problems, too. Hope the malic/mag works for you. Take your nap, and have a lovely eve out w/ your husband.    God bless.  Alice.

Posted 8/24/2008 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
HI,

Doctors have to know so much that it is not surprising that yours has very little knowledge of herbal remedies. That is usually the domain of a naturopath, Chinese medicine practitioner, herbalist or other natural remedy practitioner.

It would not be fair of us to blame doctors for specialized fields outside of their domain.

However, a doctor can approve a vitamin D deficiency test. In fact, my naturopath asked him to do so. In WA, we are very fortunate that naturopaths can work in the same offices and MDs. that way we can get advice and care from a variety of perspectives.

I hope you find some relief soon.

Donnaeil
Posted 8/24/2008 5:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Meggie, first of all, I just wanted to say I hope you had a good night out! And I can totally sympathise with you.. doctors ARE confusing! Mine won't even let me try the malic acid/magnesium until he has checked my levels, but he hasn't put in the blood requisition yet, and this was weeks ago!! Now he is gone for 2 weeks on holidays, grrr. I'm thinking of just going ahead with it anyway. And he seems to get my symptoms all confused, or focuses on the wrong ones. I suppose they do their best, but it's still frustrating. Let us know how the MRI goes! That's another thing, I hurt my back around Christmas last year, and the PT said I should get an MRI of the spine. My doctor seems to have forgotten all about that, after he scared me with 'degenerative disc decease'. Sounded scary until I researched it :S
Posted 8/24/2008 12:45 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks for all of the support.  I did have a good time out last night, we went to see a funny movie, Tropic Thunder, if you like silly humor (really silly) this is a good one to see.  I haven't laughed that much in awhile.  It was just what I needed.  I have to just give up on this need to find out what caused the fibro.  I'm never going to know shakehead .

My doctor was supportive and kind even though I didn't like what he had to say.  He is very compasionate and at least open to the idea that supplements are worth a try.  Mamanan, I would remind your doctor that you need an MRI and tell him that you want the blood work done.  I know my doctor is overworked and can forget.  We need to keep our doctors working for us.

I'm a little nervous about the MRI, not because I'm claustraphobic (?) but because whenever someone tells me not to move, I get itchy.  Strange, I know but I've always been that way.  It should only take 20 minutes once I get into the machine so I should be ok.

Lisa, I don't know what part of the U.P. you live in but the trees are changing colors already and the leaves are falling to the ground where I'm at.  I hope Winter doesn't come early this year, I'm not ready for it.  Winter is tough on my body, I rarely go out but I'm hoping to change that this year.  I'm gonna be brave and give snowshoeing a try.

I hope everyone has a good day!!!!!

Meggie

Posted 8/24/2008 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
There is a blood test for VITAMIN D...it is crucial, especially for those with fibromyalgia...75% of people with fibro are deficient in D, which causes muscle pain, fatigue and brain fog!!! In addition, they are now finding that a low D level can increase your chances of colon and lung cancer. There are many articles available on the internet on this. I initially went to an MD who also practices Chinese medicine, she sent me to an endocrinologist for my low thyroid and she is the one who tested for low D. I have been on 300,000 mg of prescription D for about a year and just increased to 500,00 and I'm still not at a normal level, she believes I have a mal absorption issue...which is probably so, due to IBS and diarrhea. Now she wants me to see a gastroenterologist, which I have yet to do. I do think it is very important for all of us to have our vitamin D levels checked. My pain/fatigue did not go away, but it did improve.
Miriam
Posted 8/24/2008 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Mamanan, this is what Jeannie said and she does know what she is talking about!

 

The deficiency in malic acid is in the mitochondria of the cells so there is no serum (blood) test for it. The researchers who discovered the deficiency were doing lots of in-depth lab work and the results were found at a cellular level. I've been taking the malic acid and additional magnesium for over four years now. I had read about it in a book from a friend who had chronic fatigue syndrome and decided to try it. Whenever I run out or forget to pack it for a trip I really regret it! Works for me!

If you read the links in the malic acid thread, they say the same thing. 

Sherrine

Posted 8/24/2008 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Meggie,
Gald to hear that you had fun last night. We all need a good dose of silliness every once in awhile. We used to live in Houghton and then Marquette years ago but I remember those early fall and winter days very well. Now we live in Menominee County so haven't seen too many red leaves yet but I did hear that we could get areas of scattered frost tonight! It's way too early for that. I like the warm weather myself so feel kind of gipped as it has been kind of cool here this summer. I'm not mentally ready for winter either but my hubby is getting geared up. I can hear him outside cutting firewood. I am so not ready for that either. I hope that you do get out snowshoeing. It is fun. I haven't been out in several years because of knee problems but maybe I'll have to try again this year. Hope your shoulder is improving and please follow through with the MRI even though it will be hard for you. Hopefully it will give you some answers and point the doc to the right treatment. Good luck and keep us informed. Lisa
Posted 8/24/2008 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, something else I wanted to mention. If you have some kind of pain medication or muscle relaxer you may want to take it before your MRI. When I had my shoulder MRI done, I had to hold my arm in a certain position through the whole thing and found it very difficult and painful to move after the scan was over. Just a thought. Good luck. Lisa Stay warm.
Posted 8/24/2008 10:16 PM (GMT 0)
Mamanan,
The malic acid is made from apple skins and other than its laxative effect (for some people) it's not something a doctor would contraindicate. I think your doc is covering up that he is clueless on it's effect. Mine was like, "Oh yeah! And it will help with your diabetes-glucose-energy exchange as well!!" So perhaps if you brush up on the way malic acid works you could explain it to him/her. ???
Posted 8/24/2008 10:21 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Lisa,

I wasn't even thinking of a pain killer, excellent advice.  I have to work tomorrow right after the MRI, school begins for the university I work for tomorrow and my office should be very busy.  I wonder if they will get ditzy Meggie or I'm with it today Meggie.  It should be busy enough no-one will notice, I hope tongue . 

I need to be up bright and early tomorrow (not sure how I'm going to accomplish that), I will check in when I have a chance and let everyone know how it goes. 

Meggie

Posted 8/26/2008 1:53 PM (GMT 0)

I survived the MRI.  I was like a stiff board in that machine, so afraid to move.  As I figured, as soon as that machine started my face got itchy.  I hope there are no cameras in there because I must have looked pretty funny scrunching up my face and sticking my tongue out to get what I could  tongue (I guess I shouldn't admit to that but I will).  I left the hospital with a headache and stiff muscles but I was relieved it was over.  I'm still recovering from it, I feel like I have a hangover so I am taking it easy today (I'm at work but taking a break, not so busy today, thank goodness).  I don't know when I will hear the results, I couldn't get back in to see my doctor until Oct. 2.  I don't think I can wait that long.  If I don't hear within two weeks, I'm gonna start bugging them.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Meggie

Posted 8/26/2008 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Meggie-
Happy to hear you made it through the MRI and you can get some answers on your shoulder pain now. Got a good laugh this morning picturing you trying to itch your face when your not supposed to move! Try and have an OK day- I know any kind of test drains me too. GamJill
Posted 8/26/2008 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Meggie, I am glad to hear that you survived the MRI adventure. If they did the MRI digitally the doctor's office would get the pictures immediately so if you don't hear from them soon definitely start calling. Oct 2 is too long to wait. I hope you continue to recover and be good to yourself today. You deserve it. Lisa
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