Fibro flare...Marci???

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Registered: 03-25-2003
Fibro flare...Marci???
7
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 8:20am

Marci, or anyone...

I am having a really bad fibro flare...my legs, knees, fingers, knuckles, and ankles hurt really badly...they are swollen and I am having trouble walking and typing. I am not taking any pain medication, only tylenol, and using bengay at night which seemed to help a little bit.

This is the first really bad flare up I've ever had. I think the depression I've been in has been the culprit.

Will this go away; or ease up some? It always has before, but its never ever been this bad. I can barely get up from a seated position and can barely type with my fingers. That's going to be a lovely thing, when that's what I do at work, type numbers and use a mouse all day long...

Any suggestions?

What kind of doctor do I need to see about this? I was dx'ed in the hospital, so I don't have a doctor on the outside...

Would I just start with my GP, or talk to my PDoc? A pdoc is who dx'ed me...

Hugs,

k.

Avatar for schitz
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Registered: 02-06-2004
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 11:24am

Thought I'd butt in... ;)


I'm sorry you're in so much pain. You know I can relate.


When I get really bad I can't move from the couch and even then I am not comfortable and in a lot of pain. I take anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and pain relievers, but only when I'm REALLY bad.


It will go away, but I can't say how long.


I just see my family doc.


I know I'm not much help, but I'm here and I understand.


Amanda

co-cl of the Get Organized board

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 11:27am

Keli,


You can always start with your GP for more immediate pain relief, but be forewarned a lot of docs dismiss the existence of Fibromyalgia, despite it being a recognized condition--call it the Tom Cruise syndrome.

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Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 11:38am

thank you both...this sucks! but ya know what? i can so deal with something physical right now, i've been in such emotional/mental hell for so long! my dh didn't like the bengay smell either, marci! but so what to him! i have it with me, but i can't use it in my office, i have an office mate...:(

i am going to make an appt with my GP. its all i can do to start with. i am going to wait a bit, to see if it eases some first. i don't want to be on pain meds. i watched/watch my mom on them every single day and she's on very heavy duty ones (methadone) now. i know i will definitely take them if i have to, don't get me wrong.

fibro runs in my family pretty strong. wonder if there is a heredity thing?

oh well...you both helped, as i was looking for some quick fixes and babying really!

xoxo

AMANDA: WTH have you been? How are you doing? Any better?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2003
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 9:01pm

Keli,


I don't know a whole heck of a lot about fibromyalgia, other than it tends to affect people with mood disorders.


I do know it's hard to treat with Western medicine. However, I was wondering if accupuncture may provide the relief needed? Don't know if you, or anyone here who also suffers from this, have ever looked into it. My tdoc is a cancer survivor and did accupuncture for pain management,and still does periodically and she absolutely swears by it.


I have chronic low-back pain and she's been telling me to give this a try. I just might, once I get the proper referrals,e tc. I love insurance companies they make life so easy. But anyway, she and some others I know swear by this treatment and it's a very natural way to manage pain.


Sorry if I'm sticking my nose in where it doesn't belong, but just thought I'd throw that in for thought. Hope you are feeling better though.


Hugs & Love,
Traci

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Wed, 09-14-2005 - 10:11pm

Traci,


Good point!

Avatar for schitz
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2004
Thu, 09-15-2005 - 12:16pm

Keli-


Hugs! Hope you're feelilng a bit better now.


I haven't been around because for one thing I"ve been busy at school and another is it's just so hard to make myself do anything, and posting is one of those things. I don't think I was in the mindset to be able to deal with other people's problems.


I'm back and hope to do better now.


I'm freaking out about one of my classes. I'm not going today because of it. I have to go for a tdoc appointment though. I don't know if I should drop this course and try again later and hope to find a different prof. I don't like the way this one works. I don't know what I would take in its place either.


I've been in a lot of pain myself, that with the epival decrease and now I can't sleep. I can't get comfortable because of the pain. And the epival was apparantly one of the meds that was helping with sleep. Makes sense I guess. More of the a/d is making its way through now.


Well enough about me. I could go on all day...but I won't


Thanks for the hot water tip Marci. I didn't know that one either.


Hugs to all,


Amanda

co-cl of the Get Organized board

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Thu, 09-15-2005 - 4:12pm

Amanda,

No, my fingers are so stiff and swollen I can barely type and forget about holding a pen...they hurt...my knees too...sucks...Tylenol (3 at a time) help some with the pain...just not ready for pain meds or muscle relaxers yet...I'm on so much crap as it is...i hate it...keep hoping it will go away.

can deal with a lot...pdoc says fibro causes depression. just what i need, right?

i'm sorry you're having a time of it yourself. i missed you, girrly...

xo