Hello All...

Well, where do I start..


Hi, I am Bree....
I'm 21 years old.
I have a 5 year old son.
I got to Cal Poly University full time.
and take care of my Mother full time (seizure, stroke, and RSD)

This past year, I have been to the University Doctors over 16 times.
and I still don't have an answer...
Thyroid testing, arthritis testing, inflammation, vitamins, x-ray, etc
Little talk of anything, just oh, well it probably in your head, You might be depressed, are too stressed. etc

Various doctors saying different things - its pretty hard to get the same doctor as I can normally only go in between classes (1hr) and just have to take who ever I can get.. but there has finally been talk about fibromyalgia. Before it was brought up but went ehh. so many other things it could be. Don't even think about it.
- Yes, there was talk about it. But there was also talk about not wanting to actually give that diagnosis. That it could just be that I'm stressed between school, kid, and mom. That I need to relax, take care of my body better, make me time, and just keep coming back if I have pain.

I haven't received much medication: - isometheop/dichloral/ap ap for tension headaches/migraines.(makes me more sleepy) been told to try out different NAIDS and over the counter pain relievers- Excedrin, aspirin, ibuprofen etc . Been told to drink more coffee throughout the day (for tiredness and concentration). Nothing really seems to help.

Symptoms: Pain all over, seems around the joints but also rib cage, neck, back, Migraines/ headaches, fatigue, sleep is so messed up I don't even know how to describe- some times can't sleep, can't stay asleep, other times I sleep so much, memory problems glory - I can't remember almost anything from my childhood(which isn't that long ago). stiffness when I wake up, speech issues - saying wrong words. Slow though process - always in a fog, though sometimes in a like hyper aware stage where It still seems foggy but I seem more aware of everything- people making sounds, movement etc.. weakness , sometimes my hearing is messed up. quick temperature change triggers migraines or nausea, gaining weight, some personality change. My coordination sucks. sometimes with no trigger My heart just goes wild.. I'm always sick it seems like. cough, sneezing, mucus.

Where do I go from here? Do I just keep going back. Do I try to go around them and find myself a "real doctor"? I don't have actual heath insurance so I have been sticking to the mostly free (some tests/meds cost $$) at the campus. They are real doctors but they seem like they don't want to actually give a diagnosis and are trying to treat it symptoms by themselves not all together. Is there any hope?

Hi Bwanna12,

Welcome to the HealingWell Fibromyalgia forum. It does sound like you have fibromyalgia, but relieving the stress can help. Worry, stress and being anxious all effect the fibro and can make it worse.

My advice to you is to maybe see a rheumotoligist. At least to get a diagnosis, then you can follow up with the other doctors and keep your prescriptions going. Though seeing another type of doctor would be good, but I would make sure that he/she believes in fibromyalgia. This will give you peace of mind and a starting point to get your fibro under control.

There is a wonderful thread called "fibro101", it is the first thread on the forum. Take a few minutes and read it. It has wonderful information in it and I think you will learn a lot. There is a thread on it called "what else could it be?" I think that thread information will help you a lot.

Know that fibro doesn't have us, we have it. It can be kept at bay and you will be able to lead a wonderful life even with fibromyalgia.

Take the time to get a proper diagnosis. Explain that you don't have insurance so that they don't do any unnecessary tests. Basically though they do have to rule other illnesses out before they can give you that diagnosis. There are other illnesses that are very similar with fibromyalgia.

I hope that you get some answers soon. There will be more members on to help you out. Basically try to keep moving. It makes a world of difference as to how you feel. And if you are starting to gain weight, it will help with that. Often we do because we become inactive. So moving around as much as possible helps that and the mind.

Take care,

Hugs, Karen

I spend all morning checking out the 101 thread this morning before I posted. Found it very interesting. :) and click on just about every link it gave or website to check out.

Hi Bree,
Sorry you aren't feeling well, but the key is to find the right doctor to start you on a road of feeling better. Before you see a doctor, ask over the phone if he treats fibromyalgia patients. Many doctors do not, and you can save your self the time, money, and much frustration.

My husband was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. In his case he found out that if he ate a high carbohydrate diet, his Fibro was worse over the next few days. You may want to check that out for yourself and see if you have that trigger. If you do, start a low carbohydrate diet.

Another problem he had was insomnia. He was eventually sent for a sleep study and once he started sleeping well, he had a quicker recovery. As far as meds are concerned, the doctor will try different ones and depending on how well you tolerate them you will feel better.

The first step is making the diagnosis which doctors are now looking at pain in multiple parts of the body as well as how it affects your quality of life. Good luck and take care!