Having a Bad Day

Today has been rough and I just needed a place to let it out.

I'm running out of ideas on where to get medical help. So far that I know of I have bi-polar 2, fibromyalgia, migraines, gout, poly-arthritis, degenerative cervical discs that cause compressed nerves from time to time, kidney disease. I suspect most of you will understand that the combination means that I can make a dr appointment today feeling horrible but two days later when I'm in the doc's office, I don't feel so bad. And because of the fog, or because of the BP, I may not even be able to recall why I felt so awful. But I know the doc isn't going to believe that so I try to convince him/her. Or I pretend that I still feel it. Or I'm honest that it doesn't feel that way anymore but, boy it was really bad. And they don't get it. I'm faking. Or I'm overreacting. Or I'm a hypochondriac. Or.....

I am so incredibly frustrated and I do not know what to do.

My PCP has referred me to a rheumatologist. The soonest appointment I've been able to get is the week of Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, I've got nothing. No meds. I've got what I know from an earlier, awful rheum. experience, which is very little. I got what I know from my own research and talking to other fibro-ers.

I have what I think are probably a lot of excuses, but I don't know where to start tearing those down. Exercise for one. I'm in Florida. It's 100 degrees outside. I'm not walking. But I'm sure there are things I could do inside. But what? Where do I start? How do I know if what I'm doing is making a difference?

Argh!!!

First, I would call the new rheumy and see if they can put you on a list in case there are cancellations. You might get in really soon.

Second, I would start a pain and fatigue journal. Write down how you feel...the amount of pain...when you do something. There are pain charts in Fibro 101. You can choose one, print it out, use it for your journal entries, and take it along with your journal to your doctor's appointment. This really helps the doctor. This way you don't have to try to remember. It's all written down.

I live in Florida too and have a walking in place video that's helpful when I can't walk. I also clean my home. That provides a lot of exercise and helps keep my muscles strong. There ALWAYS is a closet I can clean.

Almost gave some good suggestions, too, so I won't repeat them.

Have you tried magnesium malate and vitamon D3 yet? There is a link in Fibro 101 about these and how they work in the body. Even though I live in Florida, I was still deficient in vitamin D. These affect pain and fatigue. I have also found a couple of condiments that have helped me with pain and fatigue and I wrote about them in the Diet and Food Discussions thread so you might want to check that out too. I think that thread is still on the first page of the forum.

Sherrine