Does this sound like fibromyalgia? PLEASE HELP!

Hi Slee,

Just wanted to share with you that the method I use to remember my vitamins is:

I have a small glass dish that I place my vitamins in before I sit down to breakfast. Then I carry the dish with me to the table and take them after my meal.

To everyone who has responded to my thread, I have some updates:

I went to my internist's office today, but saw someone new (as my PCP is on maternity leave). Anyway, I really liked her. She listened to me and gave me some good information. First of all, she is checking my thyroid levels (as I had a slightly elevated TSH once), cortisol level, potassium level, ESR, and CRP. She wants to check these, because obviously, thyroid disorders, Cushing's, and inflammatory conditions can cause some of the same symptoms I'm having. HOWEVER, she asked me if I was ever diagnosed with fibromyalgia and proceeded to do a trigger point test. When she pressed on my chest, it hurt VERY badly! Also, when she pressed my right elbow area, that hurt badly too. There were 6 spots that I can remember that hurt. She does think this is most likely fibro! She told me that diet and sleep can really affect people with fibro...a poor diet and poor sleep can make symptoms worse (of course), but fibro can also cause fatigue as you all know. I am following up with my gastroenterologist tomorrow and I'm going to tell him all of this, but I'm thinking he will still want to perform a colonoscopy, as my constipation has been chronic and severe this summer (and hasn't responded to a better diet, increased water intake, prune juice, MiraLax, Colace, or Linzess). What do you all think of this? Is there anything I should bring up to my GI doctor tomorrow? Has anyone had a colonoscopy?

Also, I was prescribed Cymbalta today, as I was told it can help with fibro symptoms. Has anyone taken it?

Hi Slee,

Thanks for sharing what your doctor said. It's nice to learn what our diagnosis is so we can strive to help ourselves as we work with our doctors.

I was tried on Cymbalta for a time years ago for my pain, it caused me to feel numb emotionally and it didn't help my pain. I hope it works for you. Good luck with that.

I've had a few colonoscopies. I'm glad you're pursuing this with the issues you're having. It's a fairly easy procedure. Let us know how it goes.

almost medfree said...
Hi Slee,

Thanks for sharing what your doctor said. It's nice to learn what our diagnosis is so we can strive to help ourselves as we work with our doctors.

I was tried on Cymbalta for a time years ago for my pain, it caused me to feel numb emotionally and it didn't help my pain. I hope it works for you. Good luck with that.

I've had a few colonoscopies. I'm glad you're pursuing this with the issues you're having. It's a fairly easy procedure. Let us know how it goes.

Thank you for responding! After reading about the scary side effects, I don't think I'll take the Cymbalta. Hopefully I will be able to find a different way to ease my symptoms. I guess I'll find out more very soon!

almost medfree said...
Before I sign off for this morning, slee, there probably are some members in this forum who take Cymbalta and it's helped them. Before you make the decision whether or not to take it, you might want to hear what others have to say.

Have a good day.

Thank you for the advice. If anyone else has experience with Cymbalta, I would appreciate any advice you can give me.