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Posted 1/14/2009 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi All!!

Well its official, I'm a fibromite!  Not that that's a good thing... but there is one good thing.  My tests came back and I don't have R.A., Lupus or MS.  (But I could have told them that w/o the tests).  I've known I was a fibromite for years, most of my adult life, but never got the "official" dx.  (I was in total denial and always thought I could just walk it off .. but it caught up with me and with a vengence) So, today was the day.  I am now an "official member" of this fibro-family and I can't think of a better group of people that I would want to be associated with.  You've all been incredibly sweet and I've learned SO much from all of you.  I just want to say Thank YOU and give everyone a BIG GENTLE HUG for being there.

Now I will be treated with Tramadol and Elavil.  If you've taken any or either of them, how did you do with them?  My MD also does accupunture and of course recommended it, have anyone used that as treatment?? If so, how did it work for you?  Its really expensive and I don't think my insurance will cover it.

I guess I'll have to change my bio under my signature.

Hugs and luvs all around.. You guys ROCK!!!

 

Posted 1/14/2009 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
You were already a part of our family Patti. I don't know whether I should congratulate you or not, hehehe. There are things a lot worse as you know.

 

You know the strange thing about my case is I was already on the standard fibro treatment years before being dxd with fibro. I am on 100 mg amitriptyline which I was put on for anxiety over 10 yrs ago and I have been on tramadol for years for arthritis pain. I have also been on celexa for over 10 yrs. My docs and I all agree not to do Lyrica cause my pain is not severe enough for the side effects from it. They would like for me to try cymbalta but I want to talk to my GP again about other options on anti-depressants before doing that.

 

Since you probably know more about fibro than your docs do from being on here you know the other things like moist heat that works.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 1/14/2009 7:00 PM (GMT 0)

Yeah, I've been researching Fibro, on again off again for the past couple of years.  Before that I was dx'd with CFS, due to Lyme Disease.  So I've been getting on again off again treatment for years, also.  I needed my current MD to get to the bottom of things because I just couldn't take it anymore.

Marlee, you've been very supportive and a great moderator.  You've made me smile when I was feeling down and taught me a lot, in just a couple of weeks.  Thanks!! :-)

LOL, I kinda feel releived but a little freaked out at the same time. I was sort of hoping he would just say .. you're just getting old, its normal to forget things and be in pain most of the time. (but then I would have had to kill the man..lol) 

Warm hugs,

Posted 1/14/2009 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
I am happy that you got a dx. Now you know what you are dealing with. I took tramadol years ago but it didn't help much, but I know others who wouldn't give it up for the world. So I hope that it works for you.

I hope that you are feeling well.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/14/2009 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Patti,
I'm glad for you that you got the diagnosis...not that you wre diagnosed with FM, but that you don't have that hanging over your head anymore, always wondering "what if" it is something else. At least now you knnow and can deal with it, although you have been doing so for a while it seems.

I was on Elavil many, many years ago, when I was first diagnosed, in the late 1980s. It wasn't the right drug for me. I developed severe dry mouth and wasn't informed enough about the problems dry mouth can cause, so I ended up losing several teeth. I went off the drug after that. I've never tried Tramadol.

I did, however, try acupuncture. I went to a Chinese gentleman that is a "master" in acupuncture and he does it along with another technique that I cannot remember right now, but he used a heat lamp and did some kind of muscle massage, which hurt like he**, but it did break down the muscle tightness. The acupuncture did not hurt at all. My insurance did not cover it and he charged $70 a visit and had me in twice a week for 8 weeks. Honestly, I didn't feel it was worth it, the money or the pain and stopped.

I wish you well,
Miriam
Posted 1/14/2009 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
hi patti,

would it be really odd of me to say-congratulations!! ?? lol. i know this isn't a celebratory kind of thing, but i am SO happy that you've gotten your official dx. because now you can start moving forward with treatment. it is always better to know what we have than to live with the what-ifs of things. i imagine it is also a relief to know that you're not dealing with lupus or ms. (i know it was a huge relief for me to have those things ruled out!)

and i agree with marlee-you've been part of our family since your first day! :-)

{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}
Posted 1/14/2009 8:10 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Miriam, Danielle, Karen and Marlee.  I do feel like the weight of the world has lifted -since the other nasty possibilites don't exsist, but the reality of this staying with me for the rest of my life bums me out.  But hopefully I'll be one of the lucky one's that can get medicated properly and move on to have a "normal" life (what ever the heck that is?)

Stay warm .. and if you are warm turn   - its 5 degrees here!!! Acck!!

Posted 1/14/2009 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, Patti, you were already a member of the family=]

And you rock as well ;]

Congrats on being dx'd finally!

-Jenna

_________________________________________________________

21 years old

Fibromyalgia, Bipolar Disorder, OCD, Irrational fears

Posted 1/14/2009 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Patti.  I tried Tramadol and it knocked me out and so I stopped taking it.  I want to be awake for my life!  LOL  I also did acupuncture.  My acupuncturist had me coming three times a week...$50 a visit.  Insurance didn't cover it so I did it for only a couple of months...$600 a month...and didn't notice any difference.

 

I don't want to be a "downer".  You need to try things yourself.  What works for one might not work for another.  With fibro, it's trial and error.  The Tramadol or the acupuncture might really work for you.  You won't know unless you try. 

 

I hope you find the right combination for you to keep you in control of the pain.  For me it is ibuprofen (with food), Tylenol, and malic acid/magnesium supplements.  Let us know how you do.

 

Sherrine

Posted 1/14/2009 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Patti, how sweet. Between all us mods we try. There are days when the fog is so thick I'm not sure if anything I say makes sense to others cause it doesn't make sense to me sometimes. We will call our language fibro-slang. tongue

 

Yeah before I got my dx I thought I had something I could take a few pills for and it would be gone forever. I was so naive back then.

 

The pain doc I went to, and didn't like, does accupuncture but I have heard he charges a fortune so I didn't even ask about it.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 1/14/2009 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Patti girl,

Just saw your post and I know there is a relief along with all this news. I am just over a year and I think it has finally sinking in that it is here to stay.

Like Sherrine says, everyone reacts differently to drugs and therapies. Today for the first time I visited a well known chiropractor after my regular doctor visit WHEW! a long morning. Anyway he found a lot of issues in my sacral area and treated me. WHO KNOWS, some people get help and others don't!!!!

I test positive for RA and do not have a single sign of it. Perhaps that is just a genetic marker as it may have been in my family.

Look at those gorgeous red cardinals and keep that great attitude up. WE'll make it in spite of ourselves!!!

Patsie
Posted 1/14/2009 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats Patti :-) I can remember what a relief it was to have definitive diagnosis. It took me over 6 doctors and plenty of $ to get to a firm dx. Between my mom and I we came up with a fibro dx b/4 the doc did. She was sweet enough to get me a book on FM b/4 I had a confirm diag. I still refer to it to this day.

I have never taken Elavil. But as for Tramadol I've used it, worked a bit, then switched it up this year to Ultracet (Tramadol with acetaminephen) it works well on my lesser pain days. As for real bad pain days I have been using my fentanyl patch and taking the Ultracet...works lovely, but I don't like being to "out of it" at work.

As for an accupuncturist I have not seen one yet, I plan on trying it out this year. Let us know how you fair with one.

Soft Hugs,
Lori
Posted 1/14/2009 9:19 PM (GMT 0)

Patti, It is really hard when you get the dx.  Whether you have known for awhile or not.  I thought I would be ok with it since I had gone to my Doctor with the info on Fibro but I actually found myself in a daze for awhile.  I didn't really want to believe it but, oh well, not anything I have control over & I did want to control it.  LOL Just another life lesson in humility.  It is nice to have you here though so I am glad you forund us.  Many gentle hugs, Denise

P.S. Treat yourself to a long bath or a good piece of chocolate or a good book, Ah just treat yourself to all of them.  you deserve it. 

Posted 1/14/2009 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Patti - Having an answer is important, and I remember how I felt when I was finally told I had fibro.

I do take Tramadol, and I'm up to 4 x a day. I think it does help, as long as I do take my presribed dose. I don't think I'd be able to work with it, though. It's a catch-22. I am still having break through pain, something I need to discuss with my rheumy on Friday. But, we are working on titrating me up on Gabapentin, so maybe if I get enough of that going, I'll be better off.

No experience with Elavil - but as others have said - you need to try each one and see what works for you!
Posted 1/15/2009 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Patti!

I agree with Marlee...you have been part of our family even tho you didn't know it. The day you hear those words is so confusing inside. You are happy you at least have 'something' recognizable and it's not cancer, MS or Crohns. On the other hand there is no cure...as of yet...so we're in it for life. At least we have great friends here to share our lives with.

Hugs!
Chutzie
Posted 1/15/2009 3:46 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Patti,

As Marlee said earlier...you were already a part of the family. When I was finally diagnosed, I was very relieved just to know what was going on! At least you have a head start on Fibro with all the research you've done and being on the forum.

I took tramadol when I was first diagnosed, but it just didn't help enough. My sister, who also has Fibro swears by Tramadol & won't give it up. It has really helped her pain, so I guess it just depends on the person. Hope you can get everything on track with meds and as I always say "get a half-way normal life"

Hugs!! Margie

Posted 1/15/2009 1:38 PM (GMT 0)

You are all so wonderful!!! :-)    The day I found this forum was a God-sent-gift.  Even though I've only been around for a couple of weeks, I've come to really care about all of you.  LOL, I might get all the names mixed up now and then, but the cool thing is.. that you understand that. 

Today I woke up with a RAGING headache, I'm not sure if its that new meds or because I didn't really sleep well last night.  Anyway, I won't worry about it too much and try to take a little nap.. maybe that'll help.  I know I won't be going anywhere today, since its going to be so cold. (windchill -20 to -30) GEEEZ!!!!

Denise... I have some Buckeyes (those yummy peanut butter and chocolate thingos), left over from Christmas,  I think I'll take you up on that "treating myself" idea today. 

Gentle warm hugs,

Posted 1/15/2009 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Oh My Goodness Patti!!!!!!!  you have only been around for a couple of weeks??? and we luv ya already??? Mama Mia !!! tongue

I am relieved for you that you have just the fibro.  I was originally living with what they thought was Lupus, so when I was re-dx with Fibro, I knew that I was a very fortunate woman!!  Many times fibro can be a pain where a pill cant reach devil    lol  However...it isnt a terminal illness thank God for that!!

 

I hope you are feeling ok this morning...you have lots of support here, (as you already know)  You are going to be fine!!

 

Hugs,

Diane

Posted 1/15/2009 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Ever so gentle hugs and thanks, Diane.

:)

Posted 1/15/2009 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
way to go patti!I'm with the others,its great to be able to finally put a finger on it.At least you know now it not'all in your head'(we all know better than that!,dumb doctors) I didn't have much luck with either of those drugs,but then again,I haven't had much luck with alot of them.Hope to God it gives you relife.

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