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new to fibro...does pain increase the longer you have the illness?

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Posted 3/23/2012 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone. Well I have not been "officially" diagnose with fibro. Currently I have just "myalgia". For the last several months I have had pain in my lower back,hips, shoulders, and feet. I am 29 feeling like I am 70. I have a bit of white coat syndrome(fear of docs) due to renal failure when I was 17. I finally got the courage to go see a doc and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and my one remaining kidney is not functioning well. My doc has set me up with physical therapy for the fibro. So this is where I am now. Except yesterday I had the same pain I have been having except on a much more severe level that lasted all day. I could not move. I missed work(elementary teacher) today and my doc is advising me to go to the ER. Im thinking this is necessary just to rule out other possible causes. I'm wondering since my fibros symptoms only began a few months ago if I should expect an increase in pain?
Posted 3/23/2012 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Other medical issues exacerbate the pain.

Go to the ER. You have other issues as well.
Posted 3/23/2012 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
Indeed I do. Thanks.
Posted 3/23/2012 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome, teacher! You've come to a good place to find people who understand, and who really enjoy helping eachother. Take a look at "Fibro 101," the 2nd thread on the forum. In it, you'll find a list of possible symptoms, a "what else could it be?" article, and much more. I have had this crazy condition for over 20 years, and I still learn new things.

I was just about your age when I started experiencing a lot of symptoms, although in my case it had come on fairly gradually. Some people can trace it back to an illness or injury - - we're all so different, and that's one reason diagnosis is so hard. It's no fun, but it's definitely worse when no one understands what you're going through. Do you have a doctor who believes in you, who you feel comfortable with? That's so important.

Did you actually start the physical therapy? If you have, that could certainly be why you're in so much pain today. (I know I haven't been able to do it successfully for many years, though I'm looking at trying again soon, post-surgery.) You'll probably have to work up to things more slowly than most people.

I wouldn't say that just having fibro for awhile necessarily makes the pain level go up. Does your doctor say you should go to the ER because of concern for your kidney? Sorry, I didn't quite get that. Please keep posting and let us know how you are.

Debbie
Posted 3/23/2012 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the welcome Debbie. I have not begun physical therapy yet. I do feel my doctor believes me but she is hesitant to make the diagnosis until we have ruled other things out. I have only been experiencing symptoms for 4 or 5 months. In some ways it has been gradual. I have appointments made with a new gyno and nephrologist for kidney in a month, but my doc seems hesitant to refer me to a rheumatologist or other pain management doc. So I have been unable to walk, sit, or bend over without extreme low back,hip, and abdomen pain for the last two days. My abdomen has been swollen and I have this constant urge to urinate. None of the immediate symptoms and pain are connected with my kidney. Trust me I do know that pain. So I can only assume that my doc is referring me to the ER because I need pain meds and to get Ct scan xray etc to see if something else is going on.
Posted 3/23/2012 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Teacher, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined the family.  You do need to be thoroughly checked out.  You could have fibro and something else, too.  Fibromyalgia is not an inflammatory illness nor is it supposed to be a progressive illness.  I have more pain than when I was first diagnosed but I'm also 25 years older and just discovered I have a form of arthritis...which I thought was fibro pain by the way.  A rheumatologist has been working with me. 

 

Did you ask your doctor why they don't want to refer you to a rheumatologist?  Aslo, why aren't they doing the other testing to rule out the other illnesses?  I'm glad to hear they are going to do that, though.  That's how you end up with a diagnosis of fibro...if all the tests come back normal.  I do hope you get some answers soon.

 

Is it raining where you are or a front going through?  That will intensify the pain of fibro, too.  Did you do something that you haven't done in a while and use muscles you don't generally use a lot?  That can cause more pain.  You do have to pace yourself. 

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  You just might see yourself too!

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 3/23/2012 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Teacher,

I just wanted to welcome you to the forum. I am sorry for what you are going through right now. Your post question was does the fibro pain increase. It waxes and wanes. Some days good, some days not so good. So be ready for that. If you are in a flare, it can get really bad. Try to relax, take one day at a time. That is the best advice I can give. Fibro has taught me to take my life one day at a time. I am greatful for being able to do that. I sure do hope that you feel better soon. Keep us posted.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 3/24/2012 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Teacher, I hope you have gone to the ER. Swollen stomach and urgency to urinate are not common Fibro symptoms. You stated you only have one not full functioning kidney, you need attention asap to rule out further kidney failure or infection.

I think that urinary troubles seem to be common with people that have fibro as are thyroid issues, but they aren't caused by the fibro.


(If I am mistaken on that, please let me know folks. I feel like my brain fog is in full force today so I could have spoken out of turn.)
Posted 3/25/2012 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Well I went to the ER yesterday and they gave me the general diagnosis of sciatica, prescribed steroids andmuscle relaxers and told me to see a spine specialist. I don't understand how this happened when I have not done anything strenuous due to lack of energy from thyroid. I'm at a loss now. I cancelled my pt session Monday Bc I'm not sure if its completely necessary, plus.its $70 every session. Is this common for fibro to have sciatic nerve issues? Where do I go from here? Hoping the steroids at least allows me to walk so I can go back to work!
Posted 3/25/2012 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
I have sciatic troubles and just moving in a chair or rolling over in the bed can set it off at times. If your back continues to hurt, you might feel better by going to PT to learn how to deal with this pain.

I hope you feel better soon.
Posted 3/25/2012 6:42 AM (GMT 0)
Sciatic nerve pain can be horrible. I had it one time and I had to go to ER myself. I just rested for a few days and it got better. I have seen people with no fibro get it. It's not uncommon. I Know it's hard to have more pain on top of fibro pain. Days like you describe, I try to full fill myself with positive thoughts. It seems to make like a little easier.
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