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Posted 3/22/2013 3:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all,
I'm new here, but not new to pain. I have only recently seen a doctor about my problems. I'm a bit gun shy I guess because over the years when I have seen them, they always said it was all in my head or that I was just depressed. I'm 39, married for 18 years, homeschool mom of two teenage daughters. I would say I have my work cut out for me, but really the education takes care of itself nowadays. Last fall when I went to the doctor's office, I ended up seeing a nurse practitioner. She was wonderful! I had to write everything down that had been happening so I would not get anxious and forget. She listened, poked and prodded (I hated that part), did a bunch of tests and ordered blood work. My Dad has Polycythemia, so that was actually what I thought might be my problem. I've had pain since I was a teenager, but was able to blow it off more then. about 5 years ago I had such painful skin that I started researching on my own things it could be. I tried every supplement and diet known to man, only to have nothing work. Over the years, I've had more and more problems and pain. Even right now, I've got such pain in my shoulders that I actually was wearing a sling for a while yesterday (but it hurt too much to wear). I can't even wear a bra! Sometimes in in my hips and legs worse, sometimes upper body. Either way, it's ridiculous. My family is very understanding and the girls are so very helpful. I honestly am not looking forward to the day when they have their own lives and move away! I really don't know what I'd do without them. My husband is a great help too and until recently was working all the time, but now he's home and learning to do things for me here when I can't. My most recent exploits revolve around me overdoing it by removing prune apple tree limbs from my front yard. I used to be very athletic and so I have never limited what I can do physically. When my MIL was living with us about 6 years ago and she had breast cancer, I was her primary caregiver. I actually stopped being able to take care of her not long before she passed away. It was after that that I discovered I could just not to what I had previously been able to. So, here I am. :) Nice to meet you all!
Posted 3/22/2013 4:38 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to HW.

I'm a former school teacher so I know the stresses you had to deal with teaching your girls. It sounds like you have a wonderful support system.

Do you have a good doctor?
Posted 3/22/2013 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Quiltermama. Nice to meet you, too!

I'm glad that you have a cooperative family. That's so important.

I hear you on being gun shy about seeing doctors....I went through that whole rigamarole years ago, having none of them take me seriously. Luckily, I finally found a really good one, who I still go to. It sounds like the nurse practitioner you saw was good, too.

It's very hard, having to give up so much of what you used to do!! I used to be really active, too. When Fibro hit me hard, I had to give up Nautilus, heavy housework, moving objects, running, yardwork, dancing, and the list goes on and on. So many people would say, "Well, I hear you have to exercise with Fibromyalgia - if you just did XYZ, you'd be fine." ;( If only! I WAS exercising, a lot, and chasing after a baby and a toddler...so don't tell me I was too sedentary. Ugh - people mean well, for the most part, but sometimes they drive me crazy.

My parents were both much better off physically than I was, and helped me a lot for many years. When their bodies finally did give out I did my best to help them, but it was sort of like the blind leading the blind...that must have been hard, not being able to care for your MIL after doing it for so long.

Debbie
Posted 3/22/2013 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Couchtater- I have only been to the one place. That clinic is headed by a doctor, and I'm supposed to see a neurologist next then a rhumatologist, but I am so sensitive to any medications that they actually said to try other methods for the pain before pharmaceuticals. I can't even take NSAIDs without my stomach feeling terrible and literally feeling drugged!! A friend of mine goes for acupuncture and she said while it's terrible at the time, she gets 3-4 weeks of relief from it. I'm chicken but I suspect she'll get me in there eventually.

Acheybody- I too have well meaning people who tell me of *the* way to get rid of this with diet and exercise. I appreciate people's concern, but I have tried so many things that haven't worked! I'm thinking of saying it's a bad back or something instead. It might be easier for people to accept and leave me alone about what the cure is.

I think the NP was more understanding than the doctors I have seen. After the birth of my second daughter (almost 15 years ago) I went to our GP. He just said it was all in my head and wanted to put me on antidepressants. I wasn't nearly as bad then as I am now or was 5 years ago when I just knew there was something wrong that could not just be in my head. I know I can still go to their office and see the NP or the doctor there and they are good. They said the neurologist would check for neuropathy and my friend who went said the procedure was excruciating. She said he hooked her up to electrodes and basically shot electricity through her body for 2 hours to see if some of her nerves we mapped wrongly or dead. After they determine the amount of nerve damage/ death/ etc. they send you to a Rhumy who prescribes pain medications. There aren't any near me and I've also heard some refuse to help people with fibro or look upon them with disdain as if our pain is not real. Ugh, I might work my way up to that one day, but not now. Between that and the expense, I just can't- not yet. I just stay warm, stretch a bit, try not to overdo anything, use heat in painful areas, etc.... I had physical therapy for an injury back 20 years ago and again 14 years ago and they always swore that ice would help it not hurt. Ice *kills* me! So I go with heat. It doesn't help with swelling in an injury, but at least it doesn't hurt like that! :)
Posted 3/22/2013 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to a place where we all "get it" and don't think you are crazy...or at least think you are only as crazy as we are :)

The hard part about going to the doctor is what everyone says, to find one that believes you for the pain you are in and NOT drugs (that no one really wants in the first place!) that they can give us.

and you are soo right, ice stinks..right there with you on that one.
I ahve not done acupuncture per se.. I have done the bed of nails in karate and THAT was fabulous for my back!! So I can't wait to find an acu person taht can take our insurance..

Hope things get better for you, and welcome!!
Posted 3/22/2013 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome! I am sorry you had to find us under such conditions.

Some doctors are disbelievers, but others are knowledgeable and supportive. They do have to run tests in order to rule out other conditions, and this is normal for many fibro patients. It can be very uncomfortable, but it is necessary to make sure there is no other medical condition similar to fibro at work within the patient. It is frustrating.

There are many different supplements that can help make the body stronger, and there are many medications that can help alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Personally, I use both, as well as exercise, to help my condition.

I use heating pads, hot baths, and occasional saunas to help with the pain.
Posted 3/22/2013 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Oooo, I can't wait to get a bathtub in my house! We only have a shower currently. :)

I know I need to go ahead and rule out everything else. I was so scared of what the tests they did were going to discover. They said I was extremely healthy though with great liver and kidney function, etc...

I just want to stay warm. I hurt less then. We're supposed to get some colder weather this weekend. I'll be next to the wood stove then! :)
Posted 3/23/2013 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome quiltermama! Once you get your diagnoses I bet your going to feel a big relief. Your discription of your symptoms can fall under fibro. Don't think your crazy or it's not real. The pains are real. Yes, I got depressed from the chronic pain. I hope you find a great Dr. to diagnose you right.

I hope you let us know how your testing go. This is a great place for support and to learn how to manage your fibro. A few years ago I came to this site in desperate condition. After a few months I started to feel better. I learned so much valuable info from here. It really gave my life back to me. You might want to check a book out from the library or buy one on fibro. I could see myself on each page. I was actually frustrated with my Dr's because I have been going through all these symptoms for years and now I read it. I knew I wasn't crazy after reading the book on Fibromyalgia.
Posted 3/23/2013 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, again, Quiltermama!  I'm glad to see you started an introductory thread.  You are getting to meet some of our great members!

 

Yes, you do have to rule out other illnesses before a diagnosis of fibro is given.  So many of our symptoms fit other illnesses...illnesses that have tests to see if you have it.  Fibro doesn't have any tests so you have to rule the others out first. 

 

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 strarting links would be the ones called Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  You just might see yourself there.

 

Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  I hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

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