Sound like fibro?

For the record, I'm not asking for a diagnosis from a forum. I know I need a doctor for that. However, my husband and I are uninsured and seeing a doctor would be very expensive for us, so I'd like to hear from some people experienced with this before I fork over money.

OK, so what's wrong with me:
I've had depression and anxiety since I was a child. It gets worse every year. It feels like I've tried every anti-depressant out there, with no results. I've also always had problems with over-active bladder. Over the last few years, I've started getting diarrhea several times a week, usually when I'm stressed, but sometimes it seems like no reason at all. It comes with a lot of cramping and pain. I've always had problems with stiff neck and lower back. I had to quit karate because of my neck, even though I loved that. I can't stand for more than 10 minutes or so without considerable discomfort (walking WAS fine though). I've always felt stiff and restless, especially in the legs. I pound my legs all the time with my fists to try to loosen them up. It must look so silly. Over the last few months, it's been getting even worse. Whenever I don't use my left thumb for about 20 minutes, it locks up. I can barely move it, I can't use it, and it HURTS to try. After a few moments of passive and regular range of motion exercises, I can use it. It still hurts a little, though. Mild pain seems to be spreading to my wrist and other thumb. Sometimes, when doing exercises that involve wrists or feet (walking, push-ups) my wrists or feet will get pins and needles. My knees have also started hurting, especially in the evenings as it's been getting colder. My favorite activity has always been walking, but I've been doing it less and less as it hurts so much. Even my hips bother me! I feel like I'm in my 80's, but I'm only in my 20's!!!

Do I sound like a hypochondriac? I think I may be. Does any of this sound like what you experience with fibromyalgia? Thanks for reading my sob story!

Cavy - welcome to the fibro forum! I can totally understan how one doesn't have medical insurance. My family is going through that problem now to. It can be scary, but it comes down to a roof over your head and food. Sometimes I wish I was from Canada. Lol

Just reading your list of symptoms it could be fibromylagia. It also could fall under several other things. This is why it would be good to get a proper diagnosis. If you could read some books on fibro, it might be helpful also. I was amazed when I started reading books on fibro. I could see all my years in there. After I got done, I realized I was't crazy after all. All my symptoms were real.

You have to be careful with self diagnosis. So many symptoms are very similiar to other diagnosis like auto immune diseases and etc. You can over read on the internet and think you have an illness that you really dont have.

I have been able to manage my fibro very well since I found this site. I try to keep my treatment simple. It seems the less drugs the better it gets. I use lots of heat, light excercise, Vitamin D, calcium, Magnesium, stay away from unwanted stress, rest, and subutex.

Maybe you can try to do some natural remedies and see if they help you. This can be a processs of elimination.

Cavy- AS I read your post it does sound similiar to fibro. It is known with fibromites to have normal blood work and test. The symptoms are pages long, but no really answer for them unless you have fibro. After reading a good book on fibro then you might truly see yourself in it. My fibro was toleratable for many years. I think at my young age I was able to pull it off being a mother and working full time. As I got in my 40"s is when I started to fall apart with fibro. I could barely finish my job at the end of the day. I was in bed on my days off trying to recoup for the next round. I tried to cut hours, but nothing seem to work. I was working in a very stressful place. I didn't know at the time that would of been the worse position to take with fibro.

After being here 2 years I have got great control of my fibro. One of the biggest things I have learned here is doing things in moderation. I recognize my disability and respect my body now. If I choose to work for 8 hrs streight, I know I will pay for it the next day. So now I am careful what I do. I learned how to say no when someone ask me to help them for a function going on. Staying away from unwanted stress does wonders for fibro.

I hope I help you some. Did you find some books on fibro yet?

I just wanted to add that I would recommend seeking out a good Board Certified Rheumatologist or Internist who believes in and treats Fibromyalgia and not a GP...If you are trying to save up for an appt. and get the most out of it..these would be a better choice in my opinion to get all the needed tests done and be able to help if you do have Fibro..

Hi, Cavy, and welcome!  Many of your symptoms sounds like fibro but they could also be symptoms of other illnesses.  Whenever possible, I would suggest you see a board certified rheumatologist and let them to a total workup on you to rule out the other illnesses that have many of the same symptoms as fibro.  There is  no test, really, for fibro except a tender point test.  So those other illnesses need to be ruled out first.

 

NO you are not a hypochondriac and this is not all in your head either.  These things are very real.  You just need answers to what is causing the problem.  It could be fibro, it could be arthritis, it could be fibro and arthritis, etc.  That's why you need a really good doctor.  BUT be sure they treat fibro patients because there are still some doctors out there in the Dark Ages when it comes to fibro.

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101..the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  Good starting links for you would be Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  You just might see yourself 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

I just wanted to update with something really awesome!
I stopped taking my multi-vitamin that has lots of calcium, and having other things with calcium more sparingly. I feel so much better! My thumb still gets a little stiff, but the pain stays at a 1 or 2 wile before it would fluctuate from, like, 4 to 8. Maybe I'm just getting used to the cold weather finally, but even my aches are much better.
I don't know if I have fibro. I suppose it could be just starting, as I'm still in my 20's. I'm gonna try not to think about that for now and juts be happy I can walk comfortably again, lol.
Thank you guys so much, especially AK Angel for the great suggestion about calcium! :)