Just diagnosed...need to tell someone

[brighteyes]

I normally do not post here, but do read occassionally to get some insight. I am new on this forum, so I hope it is ok that I post here. I just need to vent.

I posted a few days ago about a long list of symptoms pain, aches, etc and a whole bunch of tests for things that may or may not be related.

I went to the dr yesterday and was told I have the beginning stages of emphysyma VERY mild and asthma and Fibro. Geez, I was hoping someone would find out soon what has been wrong with me, but OMGosh all at once.

I am very relieved that my emphysyma is very mild, and if I quit smoking now I can stop that from getting worse. Which I am grateful for. The asthma is probably due to my severe allergies which are probably due to mold exposure but don't think I can move. I rent and am trying to get the landlord to check this issue. One last hurdle here however, I need a chest x-ray.

The fibro I guess I am glad for a diagnosis but am depressed that means there is not alot I can do about this. I am also a person that needs answers and find this a hard diagnosis. And I am worried that the pain, and all other symptoms will get worse.

To make matters worse, I have been worried all week about my test results and since getting them cannot concentrate and therefore have two assignments due, which are both half complete and a test tomorrow.

I know I should be grateful that the news was not worse, and that I finally got the kick in t he butt I needed to quit smoking. My plan is tomorrow I am going to have a few coolers with my friend, and smoke and try to process this and hopefully wake up Saturday and NOT smoke. This is going to be hard, because especially since I am stressed now it makes me want to even more. But hopefully knowing I need to will make me do it this time for good.

I just cannot believe that all this is happening to me and I am only 39. I just returned to college to pursue my dream and now am feeling like maybe I should just return to work, as I am worried that a job in the soc services field won't pay enough as I was making at my previous job. I am also worried that I will not be able to continue working and I need to as I am a single parent.

Like I said I am grateful that the news wasn't worse, as I know from reading here that there are many others with far worse problems than I have, so I feel kinda silly posting but just needed someone to listen.

Thank You.

Stephanie

 

[alizesmom]

No advice, but I can listen and send hugs. Karen

 

[brighteyes]

Thank You, I know what I can do to make myself better. And it could be worse, but I just needed to tell someone. Haven't told my family yet as they will worry and stress me.

Thank you.

Stephanie

 

[I Love Pluto]

You will be OK. It's great that you went to the doctor before anything got worse.

A tip on the smoking issue - I just quit this past November. If I can do it, you can do it, too. Feel free to send me a message about it any time you need a shoulder.
The secret - Nicorette gum. I cannot believe that I tried so many other times to quit, but was unsuccessful. The gum has made it easy.
The second secret - balloons. Each time I wanted a butt, I went out on my patio (where I usually smoked) with a balloon. Blow it up, let the air out repeatedly. After about 2 or 3 minutes, you'll feel like you've had a cigarette. Then chew the Nicorette.

You can do it! Picture a healthier, happier you!

 

[brighteyes]

You will be OK. It's great that you went to the doctor before anything got worse.

A tip on the smoking issue - I just quit this past November. If I can do it, you can do it, too. Feel free to send me a message about it any time you need a shoulder.
The secret - Nicorette gum. I cannot believe that I tried so many other times to quit, but was unsuccessful. The gum has made it easy.
The second secret - balloons. Each time I wanted a butt, I went out on my patio (where I usually smoked) with a balloon. Blow it up, let the air out repeatedly. After about 2 or 3 minutes, you'll feel like you've had a cigarette. Then chew the Nicorette.

You can do it! Picture a healthier, happier you!

Good for you that you quit.

Yes, I have known immediately since I first started having my pain that is was more than tendonitis. So I kept pushing and going back to the specialist because I just knew it was more, especially since sometimes it was my whole body that hurt.

Ha ha, that is funny, never thought of a balloon. I can't stand the taste of Nicorette gum. But I have the patch, so will try that again. I am not too bad till the 4th day, then I am losing my mind.

My doc gave me a script for Champix. But another doc said there are side effects of suicidal thoughts on this! Now I have never been depressed but that kinda freaks me out, he said if I start feeling depressed just stop taking the meds. But what I want to know is, will I know I'm feeling that way because of the meds and know to stop them?

Yeah, so maybe I will try the balloon things and the patch and just eat alot and sleep as much as I can. Wish I could just sleep off the withdrawals for two weeks then I'd be good. I can lose the weight later right??

Thanks guys, any other suggestions?

Stephanie

 

[nobodies36]

Hugs

There is/was a huge bunch of us over on the community board (formed just after the smoking announcement by Disney) that were all taking Chantix (or Champix from the UK). Most had tried everything else to quit. The worst story was someone knew someone who didn't manage to quit and still smoked one a day. 99.9% of people who posted actually quit or knows someone who quit with the drug.

Personally, I have been smoke free for nearly 7 months and had tried NRT and even Zyban. I tell anyone who will listen about this drug because it was so easy when everything else had failed.

Hope that helps.

 

[brighteyes]

Hugs

There is/was a huge bunch of us over on the community board (formed just after the smoking announcement by Disney) that were all taking Chantix (or Champix from the UK). Most had tried everything else to quit. The worst story was someone knew someone who didn't manage to quit and still smoked one a day. 99.9% of people who posted actually quit or knows someone who quit with the drug.

Personally, I have been smoke free for nearly 7 months and had tried NRT and even Zyban. I tell anyone who will listen about this drug because it was so easy when everything else had failed.

Hope that helps.

Really, that is good news! I am going to try the patch or cold turkey if that doesn't work I think I will try the Champix. Did you have any other side effects? Dizziness, nausea, depression??
And how long did u take it before you quit? This is helpping ease my fears about what my dr. said about this drug.

Thank you.

Stephanie

 

[toocherie]

Hey there--my thoughts are with you. I was diagnosed with Fibro many many years ago--and though my symptoms tend to be mild, it is very important to get adequate rest and try to do some light exercise to stay limber (ok, I struggle with this!)

Anyway, good luck--especially with the quitting smoking!

 

[nobodies36]

Really, that is good news! I am going to try the patch or cold turkey if that doesn't work I think I will try the Champix. Did you have any other side effects? Dizziness, nausea, depression??
And how long did u take it before you quit? This is helpping ease my fears about what my dr. said about this drug.

Thank you.

Stephanie

Try the other things first. It was the Zyban that sent me mad (as in I tried to drive my car into a wall). Champix- the only two symptoms I had were the nausea (not too bad and only threw up once when I went to max dosage) and the dreams. The dreams actually seem to be the most reported symptom and for me was the worst (although most likely because I was also experiencing 'Temazepam dreams' at the same time. I have heard of a few suicidal reactions to Zyban but cannot recall one to Champix. You'd be surprised at some of the side effects (I have had medications where extreme side effects are 'death')!

I took it for about 6 weeks in total including weening myself off (this is very important and is what causes depression, not the drug itself, but if you don't ween yourself off) and took my last tablet before getting on the plane to Disney and never looked back.

Suicidal thoughts are rare side effects for both Zyban and Champix. If you fail cold turkey and NRT then I suggest taking Champix rather than Zyban as it has a better success rate (never mind my bad/good experience). With Champix the side effects that effect almost all people are minimal while the success rate is high.

I wish you all the best, however you quit and with your health in general- I, literally, feel (at least some of) your pain.

P.S. Stay away from harsh cleaning products, some bleach and oven cleaning stuff- it does terrible things to people with asthma and/or emphysyma.

 

[brighteyes]

You know I was thinking that while I was at Disney in August I don't remember being sore. Maybe stress has alot to do with it. Maybe I need to live at WDW to keep my pain at bay. I know I did get sore, but not like I have been lately with all the stress these last few months. I just have a few more months of school left, so that should help as well. And I find I have more trouble in the winter. But my profs have been amazing but I need to get my butt back in gear this weekend.

I never had shortness of breath like I have these last few months either, so stopping smoking, excercising and all that will help. I hope. Well off to bed as I have a test tomorrow. It will be a miracle if I pass this one.

Stephanie

 

[TLSnell1981]

I also have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. I think one of the hardest things to deal with is the people that don't understand what you go through. I have had to learn to relax. Stress is bad, bad, bad for fibro. Don't overdo....learn your limitations. Do everything possible to support your immune system. Your immune system is the biggest key to feeling well with fibro....that means get adequate sleep. Yoga and pilates are good excercises....although I also do water classes when I can't do anything else. I have also found massage therapy to be very helpful. Diet is also very important. Last of all quit smoking. I took Chantix and was very successful. I'm sure I could give you lots more tidbits, but the fibro fog is kicking in....I hate it worse than the pain. Hopefully you will go into remission.....just remember.....if you do ....don't overdo. It is so tempting to want to do everything when you are feeling well again, but it will knock you right back down.

 

[dyna]

My 17 yr old DD was dx'd with CFS an Fibro when she was 13 yrs old STRESS is a major factor for her as well the more she excersises the less stress she has. DD has been able to play all the sports she wants on the teams at school of course being young prolly helps but she will tell you she HURTS every day but if she lays around does nothing she hurts even MORE.

I too just recently quit smoking with the chantix loved it! Liked the idea about the balloon tho might still have to do that sometimes.....

 

[mechurchlady]

I try hard to keep active and flexible. I have joint, beginning arthritis (told that 10 years ago), scoliosis, occassional sciaica, celiac, allergies etc. I could set here and have a maid come in and do most chores but instead piece by piece I make a dent even if the dishes pile up for a week. I cannot ever stop moving even if it hurts. I cannot stop or the joints will lock up and I will not be able to move. Lately I have notice the tendon in one leg fighting me when I flex my foot, time for some excercise and work even if it hurts.

Research for unconventional remedies. The first step is acknowledging you need to stop smoking. Next is to quit. The smoking is depriving your body of oxygen which is needed for a lot of organs. Once you stop then you will feel better and if you gain wait it is not so bad being a waddlebutt, been one 50 of my 50 years lol.

Support is important, having people to rant and complain as well as listen and advise. This board has taught me a lot and helped me deal with my disabled mother who for 50 years has had certain pesonality problems.

Hugs

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I know it might not feel like it now, but it's great news that you have a diagnosis. Now you know your enemy, you can learn how to fight it. A few things I have found helpful are:

5 a day of fruit & veg

multi-vitamins

regular sleep pattern with at least 9 hours a night

sleeping tablets

good friends

the forums on www.butyoudontlooksick.com

Sorry this isn't longer, I'm afraid I'm in a flare at the moment.

All the best

 

[ireland_nicole]

O.K. hearing a diagnosis is hard, really hard, but is rarely worse than the stress of wondering. I have been living with Fibromyalgia for 8 years, and asthma for 5. I second what a lot of people have said, and will add If you're at all concerned about your sleep quality, esp. if you've been told you snore, get a sleep study. My pain and exhaustion had gotten so bad that I was really disabled. I couldn't walk through the grocery store, or to the mailbox, and I was so exhausted. It turned out that I stopped breathing 59 times an hour. Since I started wearing a mask w/ positive pressure at night, my symptoms are 75% better. The best thing is that now I feel like my pain level isn't so bad. Yes, it will affect the rest of my life, but I will not let it stop my life. I strongly recommend Pilates and ball work, an eliptical machine(less joint stress than a treadmill) and a personal trainer familiar w/ Fibro as much as you can afford it. Remember, no matter what, you're not alone.
Hugs
Nicole

 

[brighteyes]

I don't think I snore, but then again I am sleeping. And I am single so don't have anyone to tell me if I do or not.

Funny the doc asked me that and said if the singular didn't work he would send me to the sleep clinic?? I was really wondering what that would have to do with anything.

But the singular seemed to help so I guess he won't be sending me there.

I thought that was odd, so what is the connection?

I mean I do always seem to get tired even when I've had a good night's sleep I still feel like I could use a good nap. But alot of the time it's because I don''t get enough hours of sleep.

But I have always had trouble with being tired, but used to be anemic but am not now, just borderline. Just always thought I was not getting enough sleep my whole life.

Stephanie