Hello

So I'm not sure if I've posted over here yet, I've been trolling the chronic pain forum and the RA forum. But anyway, my name is Gina, I am 36, have three wonderful children and a wonderful husband. My story kind of goes like this. I suffered a severe and unrelenting migraine for about 8 months, it was finally abated by using 14 mg of Mobic. (I know, bizarre right). Anyway after that went away, I began to have severe pain in my neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists...etc. It then spread from hips to feet. I have undergone every test known to man and absolutely nothing is definitive.
During the migraine cycle I was referred to a PM, and he did a half assed diagnosis of Fibro. (He has never layed a finger on my body, and did not fulfill my requests to see a rheumy, this is why I say half-assed) In any case, I am moving to a new state and will have to start all over with a GP, to get all my referrals. I have had a few severe flares, and I am currently recovering from a REALLY bad one. Can anyone give me some advise? How long does it take you to recover from a flare? It's been about 3 days now and I am exhausted, in pain (the normal pain, I'm usually in.) and am nauseated. To make matters worse I will be moving from Nevada to Washington (14 hour drive) this coming Saturday and am anticipating yet another flare. Would love to hear from you guys on this. I feel like no one understands, including family, and some of the doctors have treated me like I was crazy, and I fear having to go through it all over again

Welcome to our site....I do recognize your name from other sites in healingwell.

Try not to worry to much about the move. Keep moving your body and we will pray for you.

betsey

Hi Noinsanity and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined our family.  Oh, yes, we do understand.  Flares are a pain....everywhere!  Hot showers really help.  There is a product called a Bed Buddy that you can get at Walgreens and other places.  You pop them in the microwave and they give off moist heat.  That feels so wonderful.  Some are shaped like a shawl and some lay around your neck.  The shawl covers more area of course.

 

I use ibuprofen with food, extra strength Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium and vitamin D3 supplements to help with pain and fatigue.  I also use an alternative medication called Curamin and it helps me a lot too.  Check these out.  I know you are moving this weekend but once you are settled these might help you with your fibro.  Do talk to your new doctor about them though.

 

On your trip, stop about every two hours and get out and walk around and stretch some.  Drink plenty of fluids, too.  In Fibro 101, which Karen mentioned, there are some gentle stretching exercises that are done sitting down.  Print these out and use these when you are in the car...unless you are driving!     These will help keep your muscles from knotting up.  They were devised for air travel but they work great for fibro too.

 

Look ahead to a great trip!  If you plan on it being a lousy trip, I'll guarantee that it will.  If you look forward to the trip, you will enjoy it more.  Just think of the great scenery you will see on your way.  Yes, you might be more sore but it will go away but the memories of what you see won't!

 

Once you get settled, find a good doctor that believes in fibro.  Ask if they treat fibro patients before ever making your first appointment.  I think  you need to see a rheumy, too.  Hope your insurance will take care of that.  Again, make sure they treat fibro patients.  There are still doctors out there in the Dark Ages when it comes to this illness even though it is recognized by the American Medical Association, the American College of Rheumatologists, the National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization just to name a few.  You do have to be your own advocate with this illness.

 

I hope some of this helps you.  Let us know when you arrive in Washington.  Washington state is supposed to be gorgeous!  I hope you love it there. 

 

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

Hello Gina,

Glad you joined us. I hope the move Saturday goes well. It sounds like you have an understanding family, which is so important....you'll need their support, doing all that driving in one day! I would have to stop about every hour, get out of the car, and go to the bathroom!

I hope, too, that this will be a positive move for you. And that you find a good doctor soon - one who believes in fibro, as Sherrine said. I hate to think of all the money I wasted on unenlightened doctors, way back in the day - I could sure use it now!

Debbie

I finally made it to Washington. What a horrible ride, still, I didn't have any flare-up issues until yesterday and now I'm exhausted. The pain was so severe that I basically drugged myself and went to sleep. This flare was actually brought on by stress. My new house still needs to have things done and a guy showed up on Monday and started pounding away at our deck. That triggered my PTSD and I woke up freaked out. Once I calmed down, I went to Costco and it was so full, I started having an anxiety attack. Then WHAM, I had a flare up. Today I'm exhausted and as of now my pain meds are wearing off. My hands are very swollen still, and I generally feel just icky. I did make a doctor's appointment but we'll see. I am scared that they are going to use my mental health issues and say it's all in my head, which will definitely infuriate me. So now, I'm just scared, in pain and tired. BLAH, why can't I just be normal.

Lots of people have posted already and I can't read them all, but I just wanted to say good luck w/ your move and some tips I have are: get your medical records copied and take them w/ you to show to other drs you see. Also, take breaks on your move - pull over and take a walk, stretch, etc. Remember to eat well, maybe pack some food so you don't get stuck grabbing Mcdonald's or something like that. And energy boosting foods will help keep you going (do a google search). When I know I'm going to be sitting for awhile, I"ll take advil or something ahead of time - sometimes it helps. Good luck!