Howdy Y'all

Howdy Y'all,

I reckon I'll post my story and introduce m'self.

Been searchin' through FM forums and sites for a week now. Recieved a preliminary diagnosis of FM last week and did not know much about it.

Thinkin' back, I can't remember when I didn't have symptoms to some extent (pain has been a part of my life always). For the last 20 or so years, other symptoms like IBS, BrainFog, fatigue, night sweats etc.. have become more pronunced with what I see are called "flares" bein' brought on by both physical and mental stress.

I'm a 41 yr old MALE, who thankfully is blessed with a Longsufferin' Wife. She is at her wits end though. There are mornin's she tries to get me awake, and I remember none of it. I get my fill of socializin' a lot sooner than she does. And yes, Sex hurts and tires me out.

The latest flare, still ongoin', started 'bout a month ago with an IBS like incident. The intestinal problems cleared in a day or so, but the abdominal pain stayed and kept getin' worse (along with the fatigue and other pain). My PCP sent me for an abdominal CT (as well as doin' all the standard bloodwork) thinking I might have apendicitis.

While I was at the Imaging Center, I passed out (Woke up in a cold sweat hooked to heart, BP and breathing monitors). They had a Doc on staff who determined I was ok enough to have the scan. Returned to the PCP 3 days later for the results which were normal, and was sent back to the Imaging Center for an abdominal Ultrasound and a Brain CT to see if there was anything the first CT missed, and to see if I had a brain for all of this "Just to be in". No, the Brain CT to rule out causes of the blackout.

All of these scans, as well as two rounds of bloodwork, showed all OK.

At this point, the PCP threw in the towel and recommended I find a GI Doc. (They were still fixated on the most presentin' symptom at the time I started this round of the fight. I again explained that the GI problems were not the only symptoms and that this seemed to be a recourin' problem that I had discussed with them in the past. "We don't know what to do, a GI might find something" was the reply.

This is where I typically have stopped doin' any more in the past. Just let it drop, it eventually becomes manageable again. Obviously they did tests that would show if it was fatal, right? (Exceptions to this ware a flare 18 yrs ago that I pressed for a diagnosis and got the answer of Epstien Barr Syndrome, and then 15 yrs ago got a diagnosis of Reticulated Neuropothy)

At this point, with my wifes urgin' and my inability to even drive to work, I began research of the symptoms and crosscheckin' what it could be. Between this research, and family and friends who ask "have you been checked for .......?" I came up with a list similar to the "What Else Could It Be" post in the welcoming links here.

I discussed this with a friend who is a Neurologist and decided to see a reumatologist and a Neurologist before seein' a GI Doc. The Reumatologist could get me in first ( I am still waitin' for the Neurology Appt.)

At the beginin' of the Reum interview, while listin' all the symptoms, he stopped me, "These are things a Neurologist would investigate. Why are you seeing me?" I replied "I have a history of RA and Lupus in my extended family, I at least want these ruled out if they are not the culprits, and since they have similar symptoms and are typically treated by a Reum Doc, here I am."

He accepted this answer, continued the interview and completed the physical exam. He sat down and said "I am going to go out on a limb and say you do not have Lupus or RA -BUT- that I do know what you have. We will do some extensive bloodwork to rule out other things, and I want some x-rays of your lower back and hips to see if there are any problems there. -BUT- you have Fibromyalgia."

My wife had driven me and joined me in the exam room. "How do we treat it?" she asked. "A mixture of lifestyle changes and medications, I will bring you some liturature." He turned and asked to see her arm. He found a point on her elbow, pressed it and asked "Does that hurt?". She replied "no", and he told her "That hurts him. I wonder why.......".

He left so I could get dressed, and came back with the orders for the lab work he handed me and a printout about FM he handed her. After readin' it and the info here and on other FM sites I now understand the TrPs of FM and associated CMP.

I am hopin' I get the results from the lab work today. And hopin' to get enough better to go back to work this week. So far Work has been patient and understandin' but I know they have a limit.

I am not looking forward to learnin' to restructure my days. And especially not looking forward to experimentin' with what Meds will work. But I see others here who are tamin' that bronc' so I know it can be done.

Thanks for being here,

I look forward to bein' part o' the fam'ly,

Hi, Bootknife, and welcome.  Boy, you've been through the mill but most of us have, too.  It's good your doctor is so thorough.  It is important to rule out those other illnesses first so you do know what you are dealing with.

 

I see that you have read some of Fibro 101.  There is so much info in there that can help you.  There is a world of information in the back posts, too.

 

I use ibuprofen with food and Tylenol for my pain and I take malic acid/magnesium supplements for pain and fatigue.  They don't work for everyone but many have gotten some relief with them.  There is a link in the Fibro 101 thread all about them.  Also, you might want to have your vitamin D levels checked.  It seems many with fibro are low on vitamin D and that can cause some pain and fatigue.  I am one who is deficient and I am taking 3,500 IU daily trying to bring it up in the normal range.  That seems to be easier said than done with me! 

 

I am so glad that you found us and joined in.  We are getting several men on here now and that is great!  You have come to a good place.  We have wonderful members that love to help each other.  So, ask questions and we will be here to help you.  I hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Hi Bootknife and Welcome-

I had so many mixed emotions when I got my diagnosis. I was so relieved that it was not anything terminal, yet I was sad, anxious, you name it that I now had something that I had no clue about and my life as I knew it was going to change. It is a process, and it takes time to learn how to let the "old" you go and bring in the "new" you. Allow yourself time-

You have come to a great place for support, you will find the members and moderators to be exceptional. I have no idea where I would be right now without them. Keep us posted- lab work, how your doing etc., and it was nice to meet you!

GamJill 

Hey Bootknife,
Sounds like you have been through the long and difficult process of diagnosis that most of us have. Diagnosis was like a roller coaster for me. After I finally got a doctor who paid attention to me, she lightly rubbed her hands on my arms and asked, "does that hurt?" No, that didn't hurt. She was doing it wrong! But she agreed to send me to the pain doctor who diagnosed me properly. I got 3 besides fibromyalgia and am now getting treatment. When they said fibromyalgia I was happy to finally have a name for the problem, unhappy that it was incurable and wondered if there would be people who didn't believe me because a lot of people think fibro isn't real. A lot of us feel like that, I think. I am glad you finally found a doctor with a possible diagnosis and that your wife is so supportive. Welcome to the group.
Sue