Hi everyone,
First off, I have to say, it is unbelievable how many people are suffering here, like me, and the doctors just dismiss it because they don't know how to deal with the problem!
I have no diagnosis, but I'm pretty positive I have fibro. It started 2 years ago when I thought I had bone cancer. I've had a bone scan, blood work, MRI, CT scan. I've seen a rheumatologist, neurologist, chiropractors, physiotherapists! If someone checks my reflexes and range of motion one more time, I think I'm going to hit them! I recently took it upon myself to see a Chinese Ditda Healer, expensive, not covered and after a few sessions, this miracle worker dismissed me, said he doesn't know why I'm not getting better.
My MRI showed degenerative disk disease at L4-L5, L5-SI, a bulging disc, herniated disc and pinched nerve. That was no surprise...these back problems have been going on for 15+ years now. It has gotten much worse over the last 5, and I was on disability for 10 months last year. Physio did help my back quite a bit, but I still have very low standing tolerance and can only sit for 1/2 hr before getting stiff again. I got forced by my insurance co. to come back to work this past spring and it's just not working well, to say the least. I'm off every week guaranteed one or two days and I have no sick leave left so it's without pay. I know there are people in worse situations than me, but I've got 2 little girls to take care of. My boss hates me, my dr is tired of seeing me every month. I've tried every med possible with some pretty crappy side effects that do barely nothing for the pain, just make me high and make me itch....
And the pain seems to be getting worse, more and more troublesome spots pop up every day. I don't know when the last pain free day was, but a long while ago! I'm exhausted, don't sleep well, my ankles, knees, groin, pelvic bone, hip, low back, elbows, wrists and neck hurt! And now the bottom of my feet get this electrifying pain, and my shoulders and my collar bone and my ribs ache. The pain moves around, no wonder they can't diagnos, one minute my left knee hurts so bad I can barely walk, and moments later my right hip feels like it's broken! Then the pain is gone, but it always comes back. I have really bad circulation in my right leg and arm at night. Keeps me up. The past few days when I have to walk, I feel as if there is tight elastic bands just below my knees and I feel clumsy, like I could just fall over at any second. I've gone to hospital a few times recently because there are some days when I literally can not hold my head up. I woke up July 1st with a clicking/grinding in my neck, that has not let up since. It also causes me to sleep badly. And when I feel really really sick, I have dizzy spells often and every time I lay down, or get woken quickly, my whole body shakes internally.
I just really need to find a dr that will listen. I saw a neurologist who told me, "I can't just give you a magic pill to take the pain away!". They all think I'm crazy, or faking or something! So I'm waiting again to see the same rheumatologist I saw 2 or 3 years ago who did nothing for me. I wish they would just run some tests! My mom has lupus, osteo-arthritis, my aunt and cousin have M.S., my grandmother had diabetes and the same unexplained pains I have and multiple back surgeries. So I guess it is possible I have some other disease, but really, I just want to know what it is so I can find appropriate ways to deal with it!
Sorry for the ranting and very long post but I just really needed to get some of this frustration out!
Wishing you all good health!
xx