Fibromyalgia Thread

[tiggspring]

Hi Guys!!

Well it has been a very tough few months for me. Fell off the excercise wagon and proper eating due to extreme fatigue, it still has not lifted. Then when my grandma died, everything really went to hell. Christmas break was sooo crazy I had two weeks off but spent almost every day shopping errands, visiting, etc and am totally in a worse flair now, Then with sick kitty I brought home didn't help much either.

I rescued (or so I thought) a lil' kitty from my family's farm. She was so little and so hungry and cold and wanted int he house so bad so I brought her home as a companion for my sylvester. Well she turned out sick with upper resp infection and I had no $$ for vet and they were closed at Christmas, so I stayed in my room with her for three days. Then finally I had to take her to humane society and now they have given her antibiotics and say it is free for me to take her home but she needs vet care. I have no $$ for vet right now but they don't want her there b/s she can give the other cats the kitty flu. I am so heartbroken. Everyone says don't bring her home cause she will get sylvester sick but I fear they will put her down if I don't bring her home. The farm will take her back but she will probably die out there. The cats don't last long out there we don't see them much past the first 6 months or so. I feel like such a crappy person, I just wanted to take this lil baby home and help her and I can't help her.

Do you have a garage or out building you can keep her in? I know its cold but if you get one of those seat warmers that hunters use that traps your own body heat and lots of blankets thats better than roaming like she was. I know how hard it is. We have a pure black kitty roaming around our place and its cold. He is such a book end to our three pure white Kitties. He is not as persistant as our others and being male we obviously are not his only haunt, still we would love to take him in. However with 5 kitties and patches acting quite old and sickly for a 8 yr old ( peelng in my dinning area) It's not possible. We now have to get some scat mats to break her of this habit (tried tin foil, various scents to keep her away) and take her to a vet as soon as DH school money comes in. With the car needing replacement a vet bill to tell me she's old or has cancer that we cant pay to cure is just not in the cards let alone adopting another kitty. He gets food and water when we see him around and there is lots of places for him to sleep with the other kitties who keep him company so I'm not too worried.

Hope you find a way to keep her.


How are you and your family doing? The months after somone close dies like a rollercoaster. Over Christmas break my DD11 had a few moments when thoughts of her friend who was killed really caught her off gaurd and DS said what most people say..well its been 4 months shouldnt she be over it? Which comming from an 9 yr old I understand but the adults that said things like that to me after DH1 died..well I wanted to give them a smack down instead of ignoring them.

Hope you are feelng better.

 

[tiggspring]

I'm soooo tired.

Played the wii two days ago burned 200 calories and have been toast ever since yesterday my vision was quite bad. Its a symptoms thats becoming very persistant and worrisom because it effects both near and farsightedness. It's kind like somone took vasaline and smeared all over your windshild then tried to wipe it all off but of course there is a reidue that makes everyhting a bit "off". I can still read and drive but its making me bonkers. I have always had perfect vision and I just dont know what to do with this.

I guess I will have to talk to a nerologist again since it has been 14yrs since I have seen one. My Gp did an mri couple years ago and it was fine. This is the year I need to see all the Drs I have been avoiding. Since I gave up on any real help 15 years ago I have avoided Drs like the plague unless I really need to see them.

Now I have a long list of things that need to be addressed and have vowed to make a list and call them all. I havent seen a gyn in three years (not having any more kids so why bother right?) which I hadnt realized how long it had been till I looked back at some dates. Then I have this growth under my toung that really freeked me out and I saw the Dr right away and got the new doc in the practice who said it was fine. Its been there for 4 months so I think it's time to see an oral surgen. Then I need to see a Plasitc surgon for a reduction. When I got sick I went from a nice normal 38c to a now wopping 44dd ( and my Drs didnt think this was weird) When pregnant with my son it was 48g Which I didnt know even existed I really think this is playing havock on my migraines not to mention rashes, sores and constant pressure on my shoulders.

Problem is my DH is really anxious that I will have a reaction in surgery. i'm not worrried until he gets worried and then I think what is worse living like this or having something go wrong. I have had a tonsilectomy after treatment for Toxo when I first diagnosed and did great. No problems with epidurals so anestetics seem to be fine for me. Still I'm at the point I just want to not have so many issues around my size and think it will be a great thing for me if I can get past DH anxiety and just do it.

well hope all is well with you all.

Pain free vibes and Pixie dust to all

 

[tiggspring]

How is everyone. Its been awfly quiet around here.


I'm TIRED

Just got my DD12 birthday cake done. 3 little fondant polar bears hanging around an Igloo fishing and throwing snowballs. She wanted a winter theme but being to big for characters coulndnt really say what she wanted. My Fibro is all over the place fatigue wise. Otherwise I'm doing ok.

Painfree vibes and Pixie dust to all!

 

[EDuke98080]

Hi guys, Sorry I have been MIA. Had a rough time for the past few weeks. One of my dogs got really sick Christmas day, then the puppy got sick. They had the dog flu. Two days after that my cat just died out if the blue. We were supposed to leave for WDW on the 30th and I refused to go until I got the dogs stablized. We left on the 31st instead but my heart was not in this trip. We had some really good days but I struggled the entire time. I hate flying and it was so stressful with all that had happened I just wanted to be home. When we got home last night I had all I could do not to just cry because of Izzy bening gone. Physically I feel like I have been run over by a Mack truck. The warm weather was nice in FLA and being back in the cold is just gross. We got 6 inches of snow last night, ick! Sorry to be such a downer, I usually try hard to not complain. Happy New Year to you all, hope 2011 is happy and healthy and pain free

Erika

 

[tiggspring]

Hi guys, Sorry I have been MIA. Had a rough time for the past few weeks. One of my dogs got really sick Christmas day, then the puppy got sick. They had the dog flu. Two days after that my cat just died out if the blue. We were supposed to leave for WDW on the 30th and I refused to go until I got the dogs stablized. We left on the 31st instead but my heart was not in this trip. We had some really good days but I struggled the entire time. I hate flying and it was so stressful with all that had happened I just wanted to be home. When we got home last night I had all I could do not to just cry because of Izzy bening gone. Physically I feel like I have been run over by a Mack truck. The warm weather was nice in FLA and being back in the cold is just gross. We got 6 inches of snow last night, ick! Sorry to be such a downer, I usually try hard to not complain. Happy New Year to you all, hope 2011 is happy and healthy and pain free

Erika

I'm so sorry that all the turmoil made it hard for you to enjoy WDW.

 

[toocherie]

Erika: I am so sorry about Izzy and that your WDW trip wasn't the best for you.

Well, ladies: I had sort of an epiphany last weekend. I woke up with a headache on New Year's day and still had it last Tuesday. I was worried it had something to do with a bump on the head (klutzy me let the trunk lid come down on her head--twice) so I went to the doc to get checked. And of course while I was there told him how crappy I had been feeling.

He put me on a short course (I took the last pill today) of prednisone and I can't believe the difference in my pain and energy levels. I had been taking Aleve more than I should have as well as my prescription anti-inflammatory meds and I haven't taken Aleve since last Wednesday! I'm a little scared about what is going to happen when the pred wears off. My Mom is a long-time pred user and her arms are black and blue (side effect is thin skin). I would like to avoid that but can't believe the difference in my body.

So, the epiphany is that I think we all get used to "feeling bad" and that becomes our new "normal"--and it takes something major to get us to the doctor when we should be going regularly.

That's my PSA for today.

 

[tiggspring]

Erika: I am so sorry about Izzy and that your WDW trip wasn't the best for you.

Well, ladies: I had sort of an epiphany last weekend. I woke up with a headache on New Year's day and still had it last Tuesday. I was worried it had something to do with a bump on the head (klutzy me let the trunk lid come down on her head--twice) so I went to the doc to get checked. And of course while I was there told him how crappy I had been feeling.

He put me on a short course (I took the last pill today) of prednisone and I can't believe the difference in my pain and energy levels. I had been taking Aleve more than I should have as well as my prescription anti-inflammatory meds and I haven't taken Aleve since last Wednesday! I'm a little scared about what is going to happen when the pred wears off. My Mom is a long-time pred user and her arms are black and blue (side effect is thin skin). I would like to avoid that but can't believe the difference in my body.

So, the epiphany is that I think we all get used to "feeling bad" and that becomes our new "normal"--and it takes something major to get us to the doctor when we should be going regularly.

That's my PSA for today.

I totally know what you mean!!! i get used to a certain level of pain and then i have a really good day and I actually feel high. I can remember the first day i didnt have a headache after nearly a year and I danced in my livingroom it felt soo good. I hadnt realized what it was like to not have a headach until that day. Just thought i had good and bad days but in reality they had all been bad days.

I go to the Dr tomorrow. I've been unbearably tired and really need to get help soo. Its like I'm drowning in chores but there is no way I can do them I'm really heavy, having pains like I did when diagnosed with fatty liver and my eyes arent working so well. Pain has been ok for me except when i had that major freeez up after Thanks giving. Lot to tell and I should get some tests but i really dont want to.

Eduke hope your doggies are doing better. you are in my thoughts.

Bright eyes hope to see you around more. I know you are going through a tough time right now.

See you all soon!

Sending pain free vibes and pixie dust to all

 

[tiggspring]

How is everyone doing with this winter weather?Kids have had 1 late start and two snow days so I'm wiped. Would dream of the warm Poly breezes but have you seen the temps down there? Whoa!

 

[EDuke98080]

Erika: I am so sorry about Izzy and that your WDW trip wasn't the best for you.

Well, ladies: I had sort of an epiphany last weekend. I woke up with a headache on New Year's day and still had it last Tuesday. I was worried it had something to do with a bump on the head (klutzy me let the trunk lid come down on her head--twice) so I went to the doc to get checked. And of course while I was there told him how crappy I had been feeling.

He put me on a short course (I took the last pill today) of prednisone and I can't believe the difference in my pain and energy levels. I had been taking Aleve more than I should have as well as my prescription anti-inflammatory meds and I haven't taken Aleve since last Wednesday! I'm a little scared about what is going to happen when the pred wears off. My Mom is a long-time pred user and her arms are black and blue (side effect is thin skin). I would like to avoid that but can't believe the difference in my body.

So, the epiphany is that I think we all get used to "feeling bad" and that becomes our new "normal"--and it takes something major to get us to the doctor when we should be going regularly.

That's my PSA for today.

You are absolutly right on this one. Thanks for the reminder. Still tired but feeling not quite as sad. Izzy had a great year after his cancer surgery and I am thankful for that time. Having trouble staying away from the shelter to adopt another cat but we have 2 dogs and 2 other cats already. I got the puppy last July knowing Izzy had cancer and wouldn't be around forever. Somehow 4 seems so much less than 5.... he was my cuddler and the others not so much but one of the kittens is much more lovey since his passing so maybe she'll come around. I am sorry to be so off topic here, my furries are such a big part of my life. Hope everyone is feeling well. I find it to be so much worse in the cold weather. We should plan a fibro DISers meet somewhere tropical (like the Poly), lol! Stay warm everyone!

Erika

 

[tiggspring]

Hi Guys!!

Hope the weather is treating you better than me although i know Erika is getting slammed Actually its not the fibor so much as the fatigue. I just cant get into a routine and its killing me. Last week we had two two hour delays and a snow day. This week a holiday and a two hour delay

Got my DD birthday cake done. She said she was too old for characters so do something wintery. I made an igloo ontop of a large round and then made little polar bears fishing, playing in the snow and snooping in the igloo all out of gum paste. She loved it and it was so easy white and blue frostin to look like snow. I'll try to post my three cakes in a few weeks wehn I have more time and maybe a laptop

My DS won his race division in the Pinewoood durby for scouts this weekend he was sooo happy

In gerneral things good just very tired. Not much to report from the Dr.

Sending pain free vibes and pixie dust to all

 

[tiggspring]

I guess you can tell that my memory is bad too since I already posted about the cake more than a week ago Oh well it happens...alot

 

[EDuke98080]

Hi all! We are burried in snow hope all are ok!

 

[hlbrink]

Happened upon this thread and can I just say how helpful it is to see I am not alone with all of the weird things I experience? I always think "Is this Fibro or do I need to go to Dr?" This cold weather is very bothersome-numb toes, tingly hands, increased overall sensitivity to touch. I try to stay away from the Rheumatologist as he is always pushing meds I won't take. Great thread and thanks for sharing. Wishing us all warmer weather ahead

 

[tiggspring]

Happened upon this thread and can I just say how helpful it is to see I am not alone with all of the weird things I experience? I always think "Is this Fibro or do I need to go to Dr?" This cold weather is very bothersome-numb toes, tingly hands, increased overall sensitivity to touch. I try to stay away from the Rheumatologist as he is always pushing meds I won't take. Great thread and thanks for sharing. Wishing us all warmer weather ahead

Welcome Hlbrink

If you are looking for weird and wacky symptoms you have come to the right place!

Eduke so glad to see you. Hope your spirits are a bit better despite this weather. how are your Doggies?

Brighteyes how are you? I imagine all this awful weather is doing nothing to lift your spirits either. How are your son and Mother? I'm sure it must feel like a very long winter indeed.

Sending Hugs to you both

Cheryl I was thinking of you last night. Dh and I were going over my latest blood tests and many of the were off including my liver enzymes

One of the tests that was off was for esr, westergrn. I wasnt sure what that was and I dont remember it ever being on my blood work before so DH looked it up. It is the Sed rate duh. But DH noticed something we had never herd of. A higher sed rate is linked to a variety of diseases including Polymyalgia rheumatica. We were both like what is that? Come to find out it is an Inflammatory condition of blood vessels. It has many of the symptoms of FMS but is treatable with steroids!!! You said that you felt much better the other week on steroids could this be you? Steroids are not supposed to work on FMS but those with PMR respond in a few weeks although nearly a years worth of steroids is needed to treat the disease. Here is a wiki link to get you started. I'm going to my doc by March with my DH and see if I can give steroids a go just to see. I will not do a biopsy just try the steroids. Here is the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymyalgia_rheumatica

Hope this helps somone out there!

Pain free vibes and Pixie dust to all

 

[tiggspring]

Hilbrink

you might want to type in xmrv in the search for this thread. It will link you to the discussions we have had about the XMRV virus that has been linked as a possible cause for FMS and CFS. They are conducting studies out in NV on the virus.

 

[DisneysPixie464]

Hey all,

I just wanted to say that you all have helped me through all that I have been going through, I am a senior in high school and I am being tested for fibromyalgia. There are a few friends and family members that have it and when I described to them what I was feeling they thought for sure that I have it and the more i look into it the more it fits. I have been following this thread for quite a while but couldnt get up the courage to reply or through my voice in there but everytime i get on here even in when I am having the worst time you all seem so kind and I wanted to thank you all for that.

The pain that I am getting is getting worse and I wondered if there was anything i can do to get more energy or just some suggestions because I know it is different for everyone, but it would be greatly appriciated for any advice you can give me.

Thank you so much you have helped me without even knowing it, you are wonderful ladies that go through so much and are still so kind and compassionate towards others thank you so much

 

[hlbrink]

Hilbrink

you might want to type in xmrv in the search for this thread. It will link you to the discussions we have had about the XMRV virus that has been linked as a possible cause for FMS and CFS. They are conducting studies out in NV on the virus.

Thanks - I will check this out. This is such a strange condition!

 

[tiggspring]

Hey all,

I just wanted to say that you all have helped me through all that I have been going through, I am a senior in high school and I am being tested for fibromyalgia. There are a few friends and family members that have it and when I described to them what I was feeling they thought for sure that I have it and the more i look into it the more it fits. I have been following this thread for quite a while but couldnt get up the courage to reply or through my voice in there but everytime i get on here even in when I am having the worst time you all seem so kind and I wanted to thank you all for that.

The pain that I am getting is getting worse and I wondered if there was anything i can do to get more energy or just some suggestions because I know it is different for everyone, but it would be greatly appriciated for any advice you can give me.

Thank you so much you have helped me without even knowing it, you are wonderful ladies that go through so much and are still so kind and compassionate towards others thank you so much

Disney Pixie I'm so glad you finally posted


I'm on my phone and would like to give you question a comprehendable answer. Hopefuly tonight or early tomorrow. Didn't want to wait to welcome you to the thread!

 

[brighteyes]

Hi Ladies!

Sorry I have been MIA. I have just been so fatigued and started have been working more as everyone is sick. I STILL haven't started my other new job - THAT is a whole other story I will get into.

So the kitty. The Humane society called me to take her home free of charge but had to go the vet. I couldn't afford it. She had the kitty flu. Then they made it sound like they would put her down as she wasn't improving and didn't want to get all the other cats sick. if I didn't take her home. I asked if they had someone to foster her while she got better till she could be adopted and they said no. So I immediately called a cat rescue and after a lot of hoopla from the HS they picked her up and took her to the vet and she was adopted the same night!!!!! I am sad, I miss her she was so loving. But she was taken care of and is better so she has a home. The rescue said if I hadn't brought her home, she would have died. My kitty did get sick but just a mild case of sneezing, so far nothing else. So keep ur fingers crossed.

My son, mother and I are doing ok, I still miss my grandma alot and want to call her and talk to her but can't. I heard a song that just reminds me of her when I was 7 and was out there for Christmas!! So things like that happen and I miss her lots!!

Well as some of you know I have had issues with OCD that developed while being in school. It tends to come out when I am anxious and stressed. Well - I decided to go get help before it gets worse cause the thought of supplying and not knowing where I'm going to or what to expect REALLY stresses me out. So I go to the dr and he tells me I'm depressed I say maybe cause Im ticked I am so exhausted all the time and can't do what I want. So I will be starting CBT soon for my ocd and he put me on a mood stabilizer to help me sleep and Zoloft for the ocd and depression. Then he told me that the meds MIGHT trigger underlying BiPolar tendencies since my mother has that. Now this is something I have been afraid of all my life but after researching it, if I would have it it would have surfaced usually by my 20's. So that had me a little concerned. But I decided to try it since the dr said that doesn't mean I would have it just that some meds can induce that type of symptoms. Freaked me out LOTS> So I immediately called my dad and asked if he thought I had this LOL So after almost two weeks on the meds I have not had any bipolar symptoms just alot of naseau and headaches but those seem to be disipating. And this weekend I actually got some things done around the house which is a good change. So I don't like meds and don't like to admit maybe I have been depressed as well as anxious but if the meds work and help get me working more then I am willing to try it.

On another front, I just had an old friend contact me through FB and she lives in FL!!!!! So jealous!!!!!! She lives on the coast and next time I can make it to Disney I am going to visit her. God I wish there was a way I could join her but the healthcare is the kicker!! It makes me so envious but I get to live vicariously through her LOL

Tigg, about PMR - my grandmother had that! She was on prednisone and it is not a pretty med!! Mind you I think she stayed on it too long but she suffered with that. I thought it was just a worse form of fibro with fever. That's how she explained it to me. Let us know what the dr says. Is there further tests for that?

Erika, I am sorry your trip wasn't the best. I know how you feel about your furbabies. I think that is why I brought the kitty home at christmas I thought a little extra lovin could help everyone through. Well after a lot of tears and sadness, it didn't quite work out that way but feel good she is loved. I hope your puppies get better!!

Toocherie, I get what you say about feeling bad. I am so against the diagnosis of depression because I am so fearful of being judged I guess because I know ppl judge my mother. That is why I am willing to maybe accept that I could be depressed in the hopes that I can feel better. The dr said maybe you won't realize you are depressed until you feel better.

Disneys and Hlbrink- Welcome to the boards! This is a great place for info and the ladies here are wonderful!!

Thank you all for reading my long update, Sorry it's been so long, just had so much to process lately that it took me a while. But I think it's going to be ok!!

 

[DisneysPixie464]

Hey guys I really hope you dont mind but i would really like to just complain for a second.

This past week has been really crazy my aunt has been in and out of the hospital since friday the 21st, my mom had surgery on the 24th, my two brothers have had strep, two of my good friends died last week one from a seizure and the other unfortunately took his own life. This has been really hard all with the fibro being the worst its ever been that i have to wear wrist braces to be able to type and I still have to take care of the boys and play mom.

Okay so thats my week sorry just need to talk with people that understand this and hopfully get some advice.

Steffany