Hi everyone
I've been reading a bit these last couple of weeks but the thought of typing everything that I *want* to type, to properly respond to everyone, is exhausting before I even begin. But, I'm going to give it a shot because all of you are worth the effort.
For me, in a nutshell, the last few months, and the last few weeks especially, have been the worst that I've ever felt in my entire life. I have an appt with the rheumatologist in a week and a half. I barely do anything these days. I had been using all of my daily energy for work, but last night I called in sick, and tonight is my day off. I actually went food shopping today and that was a huge accomplishment. lol
*hugs* and pixie dust to everyone. I've been thinking of all of you, and I apologise if I miss replying to anyone specifically.
Hi! I'm Ashley! I'm 25 and I was diagnosed with fibro by my rheumatologist last Friday. I was diagnosed with Lupus almost a year ago. She has given me Flexaril to take before going to bed. Does anyone have any experience with this?
I'm glad I found this thread!
Hi Ashley, and
My doctor thinks I may have lupus. I'll find out more when I see my rheumatologist on Feb 5th.
Sorry for the confusion! I was diagnosed with lupus last year, that is believed to have stemmed from a bad bad case of mono in 2006. I have been seeing a rheumy since then. Last Friday I went in because I'm flaring, and after doing some exams she believes that I also have the fm. This came as a total shock to me, but it does seem to make sense with my symptoms.
I feel like I have lost control of my body the last year. Even I don't know what is going on with it. :/
Thanks for the info about the flexiril. She gave it to me because I'm constantly exhausted. I could fall asleep and sleep 20 hours and go right back to sleep. She thinks that this is because I never get into a deep sleep, and that this could be causing more joint pain due to my muscles and joints not recovering at night? Who knows. I need to get my prescription filled tonight, maybe I will just stick with a 1/2 of one.
I take carisprodol (sp??) each night at bedtime. It's a muscle relaxer. I take it mainly to help with my teeth clenching during sleep which was causing me extreme pain, and caused several of my teeth to crack.
I've been sleeping almost continuously lately, with a couple of hours awake here and there. When I do fall asleep, the pain wakes me up and I have to move and change position, and try to fall back to sleep.
Hello ashmarie06! I am also on Flexeril I find that I only take it when I have a lot of "spine"and my ticking seems out of control. ( I have muscle spasm in my legs and face...well almost every where but they are the worst spots)
I do have migraines but ..most of the time I do not have pain I have other symptoms like flashing lights, vision issues, speech problems and confusion. I do get pain I can't really explain it.
My confusion though varies, its funny but not..

I have "normal" confusion now that I just have come to terms with. People say I have a look on my face that says "HUH?!" I just say its my thinking face. Then I have my migraine confusion and that looks more like y I hide from the world when I am like that. (Thankfully it doesnt happen that much.) Then have the I don't know what I am doing..how to use a key or putting things away.
I am on keppra for nocturnal seizures (sleep ones) and it does have the bonus of helping with migraines.
It is awesome to have people to talk to. I know I should take supplements but I dont know what lol.
Do you guys have food and other item sensitivities? I do! It seems like sometimes I know and then POOF!!!! something bothers me. I mostly have problems with food and smells. This "round" I am on right now (do you go between worse and betterish? I heard flare mentioned) I should have known was coming because I kept having issues with food.
Okay sorry to talk your ears off...Talk to you soon!!! Did I mention I am grateful!
I've had a lot of confusion issues lately, too. It's a bizarre feeling to be at work, talking to a customer over the phone, and while I'm talking to them I'm simultaneously thinking that I have no idea what I'm saying. LOL I guess the fact that the customers respond in a normal manner lets me know that my brain goes on auto-pilot or something. lol
My symptoms definitely worsened, first with peri menopause and then menopause.. No doubt, there IS a connection.
We were out of the country last month and my symptoms were drastically reduced. I know, stress plays an important role, but I noticed a big difference with my diet too. Our food is so full of chemicals. I firmly believe, the toxins cause more fatigue and pain.
There must be! I'm 51 and within the past year have started to miss periods for a couple of months, and at the same time my symptoms have worsened.
I agree with you regarding diet. I'm glad you felt better while you were away.
Wow, I really ought to visit here more often, I learn so much. I can't imagine how many of you manage with young families. Mine are grown but still at home. At least they are helpful, for the most part. I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis Carrie.
I just wanted to comment about the menopause issue. I began "falling apart" to a major degree when I was through early menopause. About 50. I remember in my 20's I had been taking birth control pills and started having migraines. I stopped them and didn't go back on them. In my early 40's I tried taking premarin and provera for my menopause sx and had a migraine for nearly 3 months. It didn't respond to anything. I also had elevated blood pressure from the hormones and the headache persisted after I stopped them. Antidepressants helped my menopause sx very well instead. A chiropractor got rid of the headaches. I went to him after PT couldn't fix my messed up shoulder upper back pain. He did it in one visit but I returned for followup for a few months. Headache gone, pain gone.
I probably should consider chiropractic again to see if it could help.
BTW, all my allergy, skin irritations, sensitivities began when I had my kids. Prior to that I had no issues with my skin. I think hormones have played a big roll in my life and wellbeing.
I am still having fatigue and haven't had my folllow up blood tests yet for my low white blood cell count. I was off my methotrexate for 2 weeks and it was the worst pain/misery I can remember. All that discomfort just crashed on me and even moving my fingers was too much. I had my dose last week and tomorrow and have already had 75% improvement. Thank goodness.
Our hormones seem to effect us in so many ways, and this menopause garbage is worse than puberty! lol
Crazy question. Did any of you guys or do you ladies experience irregular periods? If so, is it related to your fibro?
I had irregular periods before I had my DSs. I wasn't ovulating. I went through infertiliy treatments for a few years before I had my sons. After my younger DS was born (almost 22 years ago), my periods became more and more regular and I got to the point where they were exactly a month apart. Until last March, that is! I missed my period for the first time in 2 decades, and actually went out and bought a pregnancy test!

After 3 months I got it again, and had it monthly until December, and I haven't had it since.
I also have had them, and have no clue if it is related.
Two weeks ago, I needed some blood I had lost so much.
Am awaiting a call, I have given in and am going to have everything out..
Sorry to hear this. I hope that you can get some relief after the surgery.
Tried to find the pixie dust symbol, but can't. Rest assured it is sent to you and yours.
Ugg, on all the rest. I tried some anti seizure meds, hopefully it works better for you than me.
I cried ALLL day. The worst pain of my life combined with -43 weather, makes a body much worse. I faxed a paper to my dr for an imm appointment. THrowing in the white flag. I am done. Going to see about permanent disability, I just can't do it.
Tomorrow I see the psych before physio, and I am going to tell them I can't do the physio. I just can't. I am 0/10, so you can't take energy you dont have. Last weeks session left me with a 3 hour nap, and 2 days in bed. Now it feels like my legs are tree trunks. I know this is repetitive, but I just can't fathom keeping it going. I am the one who wanted to try, but I am fried.
Well, that was a long vent.. Thanks for reading if you did.
Gentle hugs to all.
Amen! Why do they think that when we have NO energy, that getting up and doing things will help? Do they think that we haven't already tried that?! I know I have! When we'e in a flare, doing anything more than necessary makes it worse. They really don't understand this.
So sorry you are having rough time, Physio a complete waste of energy in a flare. Wish more Drs would get that. Exercise when good daily activities AS exercise when in flair. Well walked around town in sun glasses last night LOL. Yep I'm so cool gotta wear shades at night. Feel hung over and have sore throat but no major headache just low hum. Hopefully yesterday was the end! This cold is a killer here too 20below w chill here 47 below well thats crazy.
If you can get disability take it we all wait too long to make that step IMHO.
Thanks for pixie dust! Will let you know what we find out.
Tigg I'm so sorry about all those days of migraine.

I hope it doesn't come back. I'm starting to wonder how much longer I can go on like this, regarding work.
Thank you so much
Sorry about the migraines, that is not fun at all. Hopefully they will find something that works for you.
I never understood how they can say how wonderful PT is when you don't have the energy for anything. And the cold, for me anyway, just makes it all worse. My back and shoulders have felt broken for the past few days. The doctor put me on a muscle relaxer temporarily hoping that will help.
The cold weather feels like "death". It makes all of our symptoms so much worse.
Thanks for the support guys

. My Dr and I were just talking about starting anti seizure meds for migraines this June. Need to wait til kids are out of school and do not need to be up everyday. (Thank god my kids are old enough to fend for themselves now) I tend to react badly to meds. Last med I took for migraines was a calcium channel blocker. I took half dose prescribed and blood pressure dropped so low prescribing Dr said I could have died if taken full dose (YIKES!). That was when I stopped treatment and decided natural was the way to go. Last new med in general was vioxx which made me crazy angry after taking for just a few times. I had never had an issue with pain meds so I thought it might not work but I wouldn't react.
My dh sees a FMS specialist we found while searching for lyme dr. She used to work at chronic fatigue clinic and uses their protocall. Problem is its expensive. More than $300 first visit and second visit and 125 for iv therapy. We might get reimbursed by insurance for some but not counting on it. She was recommended by student of dh who has FMS and got much better. Dh wants both of us to go but we can barely afford one. If it wasnt for student loans he wouldn't be going as we are looking at close to 1000 in the next few months. But he HAS to get better. We lose everything if he crashes like me

. The fact is is I had lyme 20yrs ago the damage is done. Neurologically I'm toast. He can get better. No migraines, no real neurological issues and no PMS lol

.
Well gotta go had a rough start this am. Woke up crying my head hurt so bad. DH offered to stay home but what can he do? Besides if I'm in for a 48 day run like in july/aug he cant stay home all that time. I find I have trouble contolling them after 7days...just want them to stop!!!! So tired of pain. Took lg does of excedrine. This am after stopping two days to be sure I wasnt on med rebound...Def not med rebound just crazy migraine run. Maybe when My cycle starts in a few days this will stop. One can hope!
Sorry for the long vent.
Sending pain free vibes and pixie dust to all.
I hope that your DH can get some relief. I feel the same way that you do, that I'm basically a lost cause at this point and age.
