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The flu-y feeling

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 5/3/2011 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
I've been getting that every other day for the last week. I used to have it happen once every 2-3 weeks or so since far before my dx. This evening was the worst yet. I was at work. I had really achy/burny muscles before I left at 430 and took pain meds then. My 6 I felt full-on ill. I sometimes run a low-grade temp when it happens and it definitely felt like it was elevated this evening. Everything ached/burned, my head was fuzzy, I felt totally drained, my eyes felt grainy, I was tender all over (even my fingernails) and my joint pains were sharper than usual. At 630 I felt so overheated I had to go outside to cool off. I finally felt somewhat better around 730. At 830 the aches were ramping back up when I took tramadol again.

I seriously would have had to go home if it hadn't gotten better. How do others deal with this? Can I prevent it at all? What causes it? Sleep (even a nap) is the only thing that makes it go away completely, and not being able to nap because of work means it stays with me for the rest of the day. I'm trying to limit my pain meds and this isn't helping. There's no rhyme or reason to it, either. There doesn't seem to be any connection to other pain/amount of activity/amount of sleep/etc. Help?
Posted 5/3/2011 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Ugh, sounds nasty! Hope you're doing better soon.

I just happened to be looking through an old diary tonight of the years 2007-2008 and I had a lot more of the kinds of pain you're describing back then. I was going through menopause (didn't have time to realize it) and also my gallbladder was ceasing to function....one kind of burning pain stopped once that was out.

My parents were in the last year of their lives, and I was doing all I could for them. Still subbing for the school district, one daughter still at home, my husband had a mysterious stomach ailment, animals sick/dying, you name it!

In other words, I think much of it was due to stress. I still have my fibro pain now, but it's different (for the most part.) Are you under an unusual amount of stress - I mean overall, long-term?

Debbie
Posted 5/3/2011 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
I know fibro can be unpredictable, but it didn't happen the entire two weeks in March where it felt like everything was falling apart (spending 6+ hours a day at hospice with FIL and his death, everyone getting sick, family drama, numerous school conferences and dr visits and testing, car issues). There's nothing I would consider major stress right now. I suppose it could be a combination of factors. We're getting ready to move, but I'm enjoying the opportunity to purge and organize our stuff (OCD at its finest lol). I'm a bit worried about money right now but it's really under control and will be even better soon. I guess I'm more than a bit stressed about getting two of our four chihuahuas re-homed ASAP for various reasons. We took them in when my wife's grandma passed in August and it's just not working having them with our other two. No takers so far, though, and thought of having to deal with the situation indefinitely makes me feel a little crazy.

*sigh* It really could be anything. It's so frustrating.
Posted 5/3/2011 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
I think sometimes the stress doesn't affect us at the time we're going through it...it waits till we can really slow down and "savor" (??) it.
Posted 5/3/2011 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with acheybody, fibro sometimes takes back seat to other things out of necessity to survive and then when all seems to settle down - aches and pains.

How far are you from Delaware? I am looking for a chihuahua. Preferably a female, house broken, and very friendly. Have small children in home. would either of yours fit the bill?
Posted 5/3/2011 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

 

I am feeling exactly like you, I am trying my best to stick it out till I go home. Went to the doctors today, they just said it was a bladder infection, gave me antibiotics. I think it's something more, I have the chills with it. I do also experience the flu like feeling, but this is different, something is going on. I also have pain in my lower right backside.

 

Don't just dismiss it, please contact your doctor so they can rule everything out.

 

I'm actually feeling scared right now because I wonder if I got bit by another infected tick? (Lyme) Hang in there!!!

Posted 5/3/2011 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
I know they make a long acting tramadol...I like it's called Ultram ER? Having round the clock medication can be a live saver in many ways, like taking the medication at the same time everyday can help keep the pain at bay. I know with my fibro pain if I don't take my pain medication at the same time, it gets more difficult to control. Also you can have the long acting tramadol and then take the immediate release tramadol for an as needed basis for pain the breaks through your longer acting tramadol...just a suggestion...maybe bring it up to your doctor next time to see him/her?
Posted 5/4/2011 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I know exactly how you're feeling. Every muscle in my body hurts right now like I have the flu. I've had this a few times over the past 9 years and it usually goes away in a few days. Try and relax as much as you can. Hope you feel better soon.
Posted 5/8/2011 10:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, everyone. Yep, it could be ongoing stress, and I'm just trying to ride it out because I know (hope?) things will calm down after we get moved and settled in. I saw my doc on Friday and we didn't get to discuss much because it was a combination recheck and pre-op physical. He put me on trazodone for sleep, which I'll be starting tonight. I'm really hoping getting more/better sleep will help things because I haven't been sleeping well at all.

Sprinkles85-I may have to talk to him about that. I'm terrible about remembering to take the tramadol. If I'm not in pain I don't remember to take it until I start hurting again, and then it takes an hour to kick in. The first dose of the day is never as effective as the second, so I'm constantly on this roller coaster trying to keep the pain under control. I've thought about buying a little portable timer that vibrates (for at work) so I remember to take it. At the same time, I'm trying to avoid taking it as much as possible. There are some days I only need it at 7 am, 11 am and bedtime (sometimes not even then, depending on my activity level that day).

mscrowbar-I'm in IA, darn it. Otherwise I'd definitely get in touch with you. Either one would fit the bill for you.
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