Sometimes I feel like I am a 100 years old

I am not quite 50.  I have not been diagnosed with fibro, and the arthritis and lupus test that I took a year ago came back negative.  I believe I have suffered from something for about 7 years.  I am hypothyroid and I used to have heavy periods that would cause me to be very anemic.  The joint, muscle pain and total exhaustion the doctor said was caused by the anemia.  I couldn't even walk up my house stairs before I felt like I was going to pass out. I walked a mile every day, but suffered for it afterward with acheyness and pain.  I had a hysterectomy 3 years ago in April...I felt good for about 2 months after the surgery, but then the syptoms came back.   Fatigue, achiness, joint pain...all on both sides.   Last year I went to my doctor because both hands around my thumb area was/is so tender most of the time touching it is painful...God forbid that I accidently hit either hand against something or grab something the wrong way...That is extremely painful.   I also had pain in both knees, elbow area and ankles.    The dr. ran the tests which came back normal and took x-rays of my hands.  I was called a few days later telling me of the test results and she said you have some arthritis in your hands....call me if you continue to have problems (this was the nurse calling me). I felt like I received the brush off.  A few months later I was having problems with pelvic pain during urination..The pain would be so bad I would almost cry when I urinated.   Went to a different doctor this time...she ordered a vaginal ultrasound showed nothing.  Again, felt like I received the brush off because nothing showed.  It has now been a year and I still get the pain in my pelvic.  The muscle pain has also been in my shoulders and neck area.  I sometimes have shooting pain in my shoulder blades.  I will have sharp pain in the area between my left breast and shoulder.    I have constant low back pain with continue pain in the elbow area (not in the bone area, but above the forearm)  I feel like I have lifted weights my muscles in both arms are sore.  I have gotten left arm numbness.  My feet area above the toes have also started just recently started being painful (both feet) with sharp shooting pain thru my toes and foot cramps.  I feel awful most days.  Somedays the pain and fatigue feeling is worse than other days.   Symptoms are worse during hormonal days (I kept my ovaried and 10 days a month I feel the same sypmtoms I had with pms).  I also get migraines or tension headaches.     I feel like I am forgetting more things and my concentration level is horrible.  I have lost a lot of self esteem at work because I can't remember things or process things.   I am not sure if that is a fog or just age.  

I am keeping a journal and will present to my doctor at my physical next month. 

I guess my question is .... is the pain excruciating or just tender to the touch and is it constant pain or does it just flare up on some days?   

I read over the fibro 101 and most of the symptoms fit me.    I know of the trigger points, but not sure how much pain I am supposed to be feeling when I press on them.       I feel like it is worse in the last year does it progress? 

My husband is just now understanding a little...but I don't think he understands why I am tired all the time and that it is all over my body, not just certain areas like my hands or my feet.   I now tell him what I am feeling instead of just saying I don't feel well with his response of why dont you feel well....since I don't have any sickness symptoms.  I get irritated, because I don't know why I feel this way all the time.   There are days I just want to cry, because I don't have the energy to do anything cleaning my house is a week long process doing one room at a time and then starting over again instead of doing it all at once like I used to.   I exercise and pay for it with pain.   I try to maintain my weight which is a challenge with hypothyroidism.  

I asked my doctor is the pain could be related to the thryoid problem and she said not that much.....but she won't find out why.  I feel like I am over reacting on how I feel. 

I am sorry this is so long and I am probably rambling...but thanks for listening!

I hate to sound like a broken record, but have you been tested for lyme disease? you should get tested for that.

but I have much of the pain you describe. It hurts to just touch my skin. Some days are worse than others. I have fibro from lyme disease. I would suggest you also see a pain management doctor to help ease your pain. '

you could try putting some epsom salt (about 2 c) in a hot bath and soak in it for at least 30 minutes. supposedly the magnesium helps relax the muslces. I also take b12 injections and magnesium injections to help with the pain but you could start supplementing them orally (by mouth) D3 is also good for helping pain.

Just make sur eyou run it by your doctor and that you take your vitamins seperately from your thyroid meds and other meds....like 2 hours beofre or after

I always say feeling like you're 100 years old is a sure sign of Fibro. Also feeling like you've been hit by a truck or beat up with a baseball bat. Diane

Hi there, stephsmom, 23. I have fibro for 30-35 years, believe me the pain can be horrendous. One day good another day bad, heat helps and some medications unfortunately not for me. I have tried different things and when I find something to help that is what I do. Heat helps some so I have electric blankets everywhere. Also multi tasking seem to helps to not dwell on the pain, keeps me busy. As far as being whinny, most of us have felt that at one time or another. If you had talked to me when for ten years doctors told me I was crazy. I cried like a little girl. If ever need to sound off I am here.

Welcome to the group. Best wishes Jan, (cutechick)

Hi, Stephsmom, and welcome!  Boy, you are having a rough time, aren't you.  Fibro can be a real pain!

 

Merrygirl is correct is stating you should have Lyme ruled out, too.  It does have many of the same symptoms as fibro.  A blood test is used to rule it out. 

 

I had the same problem with my thumb as you have with your thumbs.  Just a slight tap could cause me to see stars!  I could barely hold a pen to write checks and was practicing how to write with my left hand.  Then, is started feeling better.  After about six months I had no pain in that thumb!  That's how fibro is with me.  If I wait long enough, whatever was bothering me disappears but pain pops up someplace else. 

 

I use malic acid/magnesium supplements and vitamin D3 to help with pain and fatigue.  Many with fibro are deficient in these vitamins and nutrients.  There are links about both of these in Fibro 101.  It's worth bouncing off your doctor.  They both have helped me.

 

You do need to keep moving with fibro.  If you sit or lay too much, you will be stiff as a board and the pain will be worse.  There are some gentle stretching exercises in Fibro 101 that really help and they can be done sitting down.  That's perfect if you have a desk job.  You also need a gentle exercise to do regularly.  Walking and swimming are my choices.  When I started walking, I only could go four houses down and needed to turn around and come back home.  But every day I could go a little further.  Now I start my day by walking my dog at least one mile.  I do gardening, heavy cleaning, etc.  I feel so much better if I keep moving and using my muscles. But, I don't overdo.  I pace myslef.  I wouldn't dream of heading to the gym for a workout. So use good judgement.  Your body will tell you if you did too much.  Pretty soon you will know what you can and cannot do.

 

They say that fibro isn't progressive.  I'm not sure, myself.  I'll feel worse and am pretty sure it is progressive and then I'll have a good period of time!  So, I just take one day at a time and enjoy that day.  I know I can do that.  I also look forward to each new day with anticipation in hopes it will be one of my better days.  No matter how I feel, I still will have a good day!

 

I had the foot cramping a few years ago.  Then I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and started taking two Citracal tablets a day ad the cramping went away!  I checked it out and low calcium can cause cramping.  That could be what is going on with you.

 

Fibro fog...your problems with your memory...can be frustrating.  When it first started happening to me, I thought I was getting Alzheimer's!  A good sense of humor helps a lot with the cognitive memory problems we can have.  Stressing over it can make it worse.  So, try to relax about it.  It's most likely fibro.  I'm nearly 63 years old and it has remained about the same for me over the past 12 years.

 

Attitude plays an important part with this illess.  I look at all I can do and don't think about what I have problems doing.  I remain happy, positive, and when a problem arises with fibro, I find a way to work around it.  I control the fibro, not fibro controlling me.  Once you have the upper hand, it won't seem overwhelming to you. 

I'm so glad you found us and joined in.  It is nice having someone that understands this illness.  So many don't.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Take deep breaths, relax, and take one day at a time.  We will get through this together.  I hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine