Fibromyalgia

chewchabuckala · Aug 9, 2007

I was dx w/fibromyalgia about 18 yrs. ago. Tried everything. I was hyperactive, slept well, my feet barely hit the ground, I was on a dead run all the time. It was just between job, inlaws, kids, sick spouse, sick sister, really getting deboned! Now, 18 yrs later, my husband can not hug me as it hurts so bad. I need the hugs so it's worth the pain. My rheumatologist doesn't believe in fibromyalgia. Now my dx. by testing shows vitamin deficiencies, osteoarthritis, RLS, s/p Graves Disease treated by RI 131, boy was that a mistake. Ended up with thyroidtoxicosis, throiditis, bouncing back and forth from hyperthyroid to hypothyroid. Whatever those beginning symptoms were have now progressed to vitamin D deficiency, hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, elevated liver enzymes, chronic pain syndrom, fascitis, chronic leukocutosisw/elevated alkaline phosphate levels. It takes me 5 days to do what I use to get done by noon on any given day. I have had so many scopes, x-ray, scans, probes, EMG, NCV, venous insufficiency, diabetes, and I bruise easily, feels like I'm walking on shards of glass when I walk, and just a few weeks ago I was dx by Neuo w/peripheral neuropathy, and will be having tests done for spinal stenosis.

SO, Fibromyalgia may be a garbage can diagnosis, but I truely believe it is a precursor to autoimmune disease. I know I already have deterioration of my C spine, lumbar, and chronic chondrocondritis.

I sure wish my spell checker would work! To take a motrin was about as medicated as I would ever get. I just hated taking pills, and injections came second. So, their are alot of experts on this forum.

You tell me, am I an exception to the rule, or do they dx fibro, throw you a few pills and tell you your depressed, avoid stress, and get regular exercise instead of following up with sed rate, blood draws to check T3 levels, and dig their teeth into what the real culprit might be.

I really don't know. All I know is that over the past nearly 20 yrs. I have just slowly become a "basket case". Now I am depressed, and I would give anything to be pain free, do the wild thing without worrying about the dismount, and still be smiling and running instead of crawling!

If you have fibromyalgia, be aware of other S&S. What's your take?

Chewchie

smiles04 · Aug 9, 2007

Veetach, if that's the case, run, not walk to your nearest physician and join the gang of the rest of us who have muscle pain after working long hours. It seems as if a doc can't find another diagnosis, they tack "fibromyalgia" on the sheet in order to get reimbursed. I know that's a harsh thing to say, but that's what I see a lot.
I know that some people who have auto-immune disorders (SLE, RA, scleroderma) have fibromyalgia as one of the symptoms and in that case I don't feel that it's a "catch-all" dx. It's when someone comes in with some pains, who is a little down, and doc writes the whole dx as "fibromyalgia" instead of it being a symptom.
BTW, I do fall into the group with the auto-immune disorders who have fibromyalgia as a symptom; however, I don't have any problems with depression.

Okay okay you guys I think we are getting too broad here. No no no aching from long hours and some creaky arthritis is not what we are talking about. this lady with all the tests now thats the real deal.

However, I DO think there is a cause. I dont know what it is but immune seems to be going in the right direction. I do know this is not oh I ache pain it is the debilitating pain that hurts so bad you cant get up and you want to. Pain meds make you sleepy and are bad for you anyway contributing to future problems and drepression you better believe Id be depressed if I hurt so bad I couldnt get out of bed or walk hardly. AND NO I dont think these people are messed up and are depressed and psychosymatic this is real.

I also know naturapathic medicine is on the rise. Kevin trudoues book on natural cures and his web site is absolutely amazing I recommend it to everyone. Calcium and magnesium at night will help with pain because it will releave some of the muscle cramping (spasming) also is a natural sleep agent. Get you body into good shape. No one will take care of it but you. If you are overwt and eat junk and drink junk well then what do you expect to see and feel in the morning. One day I thought I want to live and be healthy I cut the sodas and the stuff with lots of preservatives. Got on a good vitamin regimin and my hair started growning I lost wt and then I started doing yoga for inner strenghth and outer strength. The stretching made me more limber and ache less. I was a 40 year old who felt like a 90 yr old. Now I feel young and 25 I do still ache but mind over matter is strong too. If your depressed definitley see a doc. I know sometimes some low dose antidepr can do wonders if you need it. Also message is wonderful. I sure hope that we as nurses encourage our patients families and doc to look further than the pill. Thats what the pharmaceutical comp want us to do so they can make more more more. And no they dont want to promote vitamins then where would they be.

******to the lady with all the pain and fibro ARE YOU HAPPY? IF NOT TRY LIKE HECK TO CHANGE THAT. ARE YOU UNHAPPY AND THINK YOU ARE HAPPY LOOK WITHIN. I THINK THE SX ARE REAL FOR YOU BUT YOU HAVE TO WANT TO CHANGE SOME THINGS ALL THE DOCTORS AND MEDS WILL NOT HELP YOU IF YOUR STILL UNDER LOTS OF STRESS OR ARE NOT LOVED. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE BUT JUST EVALUATE. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS YOU PRAYER IS AMAZING TOO YOU PRAY AND I WILL TOO. SMILES O4

smiles04 · Aug 9, 2007

Well said.. I have never visited an ER for pain related concerns. I agree that one cannot lump us all into one basket. Each individual is their own person, with different ways of dealing with their pain physically, emotionally, chemically or whatever works for that person.
enough said... have a good day to all :)

man I wish us nurses would get off out duffs and create a sight to do research and accumuater research for things like this.

I and several people I know have this its like reading my story. I must say that pain meds work and so does the antidepr. I feel that the RLS is related somehow.

Mine first started when I got tingling in the soles of my feet then thighs mving all night twisting my ankles then I became tired. couldnt figure if it was from RLS keeping me up or fibro. I do have two disc problems. I wonder if the meds compound things too. I dont know. I HATE BEING SLEEPY AND NO GET UP AND GO BUT I CANT STAND THE PAIN OFF MEDS I WANT TO CRY AND JUST LAY DOWN. I LIKE WORKING BUT AFTER ABOUT 6 MTHS I CANT TAKE IT. IM OFF FOR A WHILE THEN I GO BACK IT SUCKS. MY EMPLYERS WANT TO KNOW WHY I HAVE HAD SEVERAL JOBS HOW CAN I TELL THEM THE TRUTH THEY WONT HIRE ME SO PT OR AGENCY WORKS WELL. I AM SEARCHING FOR MORE NATURAL CURES HOPING THEIR BETTER THAN THIS HELL. ANY ADVISE.

Im so glad the pain meds work but what about tolerance. I mean you may really think your okay on those high doses but are you really or have you just not had anything bad happen yet. scarry. I mean I understand both sides you know.

Well take care all.

smiles04 · Aug 9, 2007

man I wish us nurses would get off out duffs and create a sight to do research and accumuater research for things like this.
I and several people I know have this its like reading my story. I must say that pain meds work and so does the antidepr. I feel that the RLS is related somehow.
Mine first started when I got tingling in the soles of my feet then thighs mving all night twisting my ankles then I became tired. couldnt figure if it was from RLS keeping me up or fibro. I do have two disc problems. I wonder if the meds compound things too. I dont know. I HATE BEING SLEEPY AND NO GET UP AND GO BUT I CANT STAND THE PAIN OFF MEDS I WANT TO CRY AND JUST LAY DOWN. I LIKE WORKING BUT AFTER ABOUT 6 MTHS I CANT TAKE IT. IM OFF FOR A WHILE THEN I GO BACK IT SUCKS. MY EMPLYERS WANT TO KNOW WHY I HAVE HAD SEVERAL JOBS HOW CAN I TELL THEM THE TRUTH THEY WONT HIRE ME SO PT OR AGENCY WORKS WELL. I AM SEARCHING FOR MORE NATURAL CURES HOPING THEIR BETTER THAN THIS HELL. ANY ADVISE.
Im so glad the pain meds work but what about tolerance. I mean you may really think your okay on those high doses but are you really or have you just not had anything bad happen yet. scarry. I mean I understand both sides you know.
Well take care all.

Sorry about the typos am on a small keyboard

TallBlondie · Aug 9, 2007

There also seems to be a correlation between the # of "allergies" a patient has and a diagnosis of fibro.:barf01:

smiles04 · Aug 9, 2007

There also seems to be a correlation between the # of "allergies" a patient has and a diagnosis of fibro.:barf01:

Ive heard that too. How bout stress. I mean big time stuff like divors abuse etc. everyone I know who has it has gone thru some maj stuff what about you other fibros out there did you have lots of stress prior?

chewchabuckala · Aug 9, 2007

Long term, chronic stress will do one of two things, in my opinion, kill you or make you wish you were dead! Yes, some stress is good, it will bring out your competetive edge, gets you to thinking, etc. But uncontrollable high types of stressors, unrelenting, over time, oh my.

Examples, look at POW'S, PTSD, Trauma victims. You don't have to have suffered through those types of duress, but I will always believe that long term stress is the root cause of alot of debilitating illnesses.

Understanding that should prompt the doc's to do blood draws and dig into a patients complaint of fibro, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue.

If you have these symptoms at 35, and you just keep on going down the same road, kids, spouse, work, in-laws, family, neighbors, etc......

then when you turn 50, your a physical wreck.....with varifiable diagnosis that you really do have something wrong with you, look at all the years that pasted. A new mother is expected to be tired, if your mother has alzhiemers your the care taker, yeah, your expected to be stressed out, but what about when you remove the stressors and the problems just continue to progress to viable disabilities, mobility issues, and your labeled as a "person who just wants drugs" by the medical community? I think it's time to change our thinking. Maybe this person has to have these meds just to have some quality of life? Usually if they present in the ER or an office setting, you have a chart so look in it and see what you find under referrals, radiology reports, x-rays, past medical history.......I think some if not most health individuals just don't see you for what you were, only what illness has done to make you what you are today. I believe it's called communication and compassion.

BabyRN2Be · Aug 9, 2007

******to the lady with all the pain and fibro ARE YOU HAPPY? IF NOT TRY LIKE HECK TO CHANGE THAT. ARE YOU UNHAPPY AND THINK YOU ARE HAPPY LOOK WITHIN. I THINK THE SX ARE REAL FOR YOU BUT YOU HAVE TO WANT TO CHANGE SOME THINGS ALL THE DOCTORS AND MEDS WILL NOT HELP YOU IF YOUR STILL UNDER LOTS OF STRESS OR ARE NOT LOVED. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE BUT JUST EVALUATE. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS YOU PRAYER IS AMAZING TOO YOU PRAY AND I WILL TOO. SMILES O4

Smiles04,

I'm just wondering if you are referring to me. I had noticed you referenced one of my old, old posts (from maybe about 3 years ago). You had mentioned "the lady with all the pain and fibro." It seems like there are many people following the thread the might meet this description.

If you are referring to me, as I had said, I wrote that post over three years ago and many things have changed in my life since then (got married, now expecting a baby). When I wrote that post I was not depressed and the pain is manageable. If I came across that way and I surely hope it didn't sound like that, I was trying to make a point and differentiate between those who have fought "fibro" and go on with their lives and those who have fibro, say "there's nothing I can do about it, poor me, just show me to the Demerol and I'll be on my way" types who visit the ED, KWIM?

I'm not saying this is not a real disease. I do have a problem with those who use the dx as a "catch-all, wastebasket" type illness, throw meds at it and don't investigage further, as well as those who use it as an excuse not to do anything in life. There are treatments out there; however, it's something you have to work with. It's not a diagnosis that you can take a med for and the symptom will disappear. You definitely have to work with it. Some people (NOT ALL) aren't willing to do that and would rather have a medication do the work.

There is a difference between the groups of people, and I wanted to try to make that point. This thread has really evolved since I had made the original post and I just wanted to clarify.

Jo Dirt · Aug 9, 2007

I have all the ssx of what they call fibromyalgia: extreme fatigue, soreness in the shoulders (I've had that since 2nd grade)...etc. but I believe it is due to severe anxiety and depression I have suffered with most of my life.

So if I get officially diagnosed with this does that mean I can get a disability check?

BabyRN2Be · Aug 9, 2007

I have all the ssx of what they call fibromyalgia: extreme fatigue, soreness in the shoulders (I've had that since 2nd grade)...etc. but I believe it is due to severe anxiety and depression I have suffered with most of my life.
So if I get officially diagnosed with this does that mean I can get a disability check?

MM,

Are you being serious?? If yes, there are some 14 pressure points they look at to see if you meet the criteria of fibromyalgia. If you have pain in half of them (or something like that), then that's what diagnosis you with fibro (from what I understand). Along with generalized muscle soreness in main muscle groups. So, if all that you have is soreness in your shoulders, you don't qualify for the fibro boat which has sailed. However, you mentioned ssx of severe anxiety and depression. That may get you the check all on it's own! I'd say give it a whirl and see what happens. Couldn't hurt. After all, why not have the court systems backed up to match the medical services backup? The two would go hand and hand. I'd say you have an excellent chance! Go for it!

Disclaimer: Most of this post has been made tongue in cheek. If you are offended, I'm sorry. And even worse, if I've offended you, MM, I'm sorry if your post was not made in jest. You seem like the type of person who wouldn't stop working with fibro.

chewchabuckala · Aug 10, 2007

I know alot of people that will say....Oh I have that, when you mention you have fibromyalgia. Maybe if that was all you had, alternatives to pain medication would manage it. I use to try relaxation, aroma therapy, warm soaks in the tub, music, and distraction. It helped for quite a long time. It never did go away, and after thyroid radiation is when every body system started to go haywire. Someone asked if I was happy, stressed out, depressed. I am in a very loving relationship with my husband of 10 yrs. He has been my rock. He loves me as much now, if not more, as he has seen me go from a firey, fun loving, hard working person, to a chubby, debilitated person. He still keeps me laughing, and is their to help me do the ADL's that I now need help with. He puts no pressure on me as far as meals, laundry, or anything that on bad days just have to be let go. He will often just know by looking at me that I need some TLC. I loved my job, I miss my coworkers, and I had a great position that I hated to let go. I mourned the loss of my normal self for about two years. Then when I became worse, I realized how lucky I had been at the "mourning" phase of my earlier unplanned retirement. I feel sorry for anyone that has fibro. The trigger points I have will bring tears to my eyes, and often in the colder months I get chronic costalchondritis, which I go and get injections of prednisone between my ribs. You don't go through that just for the fun of it. The rib pain makes it hurtful to breath, so deep breathing exercises are a must. You just take your meds, wait till they kick in and do the exercises. In my opinion, I do not see how anyone can work a rigorous, stressful, multi-tacting job, especially nursing, when your recall of experience and schooling are constantly being neccessary. Medications do impair your ability to recall, reaction time, and they do make me sleepy. I get brain fog also. Cutoes to you if you can do it. Everyone is differant. I worried about patient safety, and was worried about working while impaired. To me my license was worth more than anything else. I felt that if I ever did get better, I would be able to go back. I have been told by my specialists and MD that's not going to happen, as I continue to deteriorate. I'm to young for this, but just like cancer, it crosses all classes of people. It does not discriminate. Again.......I am a firm believer that long term stress, and stressor can either kill you or disable you, as their are some things that are worse than death.

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2007

I have all the ssx of what they call fibromyalgia: extreme fatigue, soreness in the shoulders (I've had that since 2nd grade)...etc. but I believe it is due to severe anxiety and depression I have suffered with most of my life.
So if I get officially diagnosed with this does that mean I can get a disability check?

This is interesting