(no subject)

[beanside]

So, as I said, this week was a flurry of Doctor appts for me and the cat. Sadly, pain management got bumped to next week due to an in-office emergency, but I still had the rheumatologist and Sam had his vet visit. Diagnosis Sam: Sam is a lard ass, but is healthy and very sweet. Still hates the crate.

Diagnosis Me: Fibromyalgia. Woot? Okay, not really a shock. The random exhaustion and pain kind of is a tip off, plus the little fact that some days, even brushing your hand over my skin hurts. Apparently, they're finding that up to 80% of people with neck issues like mine will develop fibro. They think that the pressure on the spine causes the nerves to go out of whack, and start sending pain signals for everything. Fortunately, Cymbalta seems to be helping a lot, which is good, since after the difficulty that I had with Neurontin, I'm not exactly thrilled with the thought of trying Lyrica, which is just a bit more of a refined version.

Aside from that, not much going on. I've been writing, which has been wonderful. I think that may be the best gift the Cymbalta has given me. It's helped to clear away the cobwebs of "fibro fog" and given me my voice back. That, and my sex drive. That's been nice, too. *grin*

I'm waiting for Sears to let me know that I can come get my shiny new bar stool! Our power strip came last night, and we could have the office area up and running as soon as this weekend. That would be AWESOME. I've missed having somewhere to sit with my love and write together.

So, all in all, things could be better, and they could be a LOT worse, and I'm actually pretty happy with where I'm at right now. *nod*

Comments

[misstitania.livejournal.com]

*gentle hug* Glad the Cymbalta is working for you. My doctor is in in process of trying trigger point injections to see if that will help. Good luck!

[coiledsoul.livejournal.com]

Yay for pain management. Happy New Year, babe.

[justsonya.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad to see things swinging up for you honey. I always get so mad at how much you've had to struggle just for proper treatment, especially working for a doctor.

I'm going to pack up my Fibro books for my next trip home for you and your wife, because I haven't opened them in a while, but they might be very useful for you guys.

I think I'll also bring cake. <3 You guys deserve cake.

[eponin10.livejournal.com]

Interestingly, your description of how you feel sounds a lot like my sister, who has had pain issues for years, ever since the army screwed up doing surgery on her shoulder and made it worse. That resulted in 3 more surgeries, and now she's been diagnosed with RSD and has recently started having spinal issues. From what I can tell, though, fibro isnt' something her doctor's have considered. Do you mind if I send the description of how you feel on to my dad (who's acting as her advocate with the doctor's, as often she's in too much pain to remember what they tell her, and she's understandably skeptical about what the doctor's tell her after everything.)?

*hugs*

[beanside.livejournal.com]

By all means! Actually, that can be another trigger for fibro (surgery).

The technical description/baseline for fibro is having random muscular pain with no obvious cause in your body, with specific trigger points. Exact description of criteria for fibro is here. ()

These (http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Bambam1205/Fibromyalgia.gif) are the trigger points, if you want to have someone at home check her out.

But yeah, feel free to send on anything that you think would help. And if they have questions, you have permission to give my e-mail.

[beanside.livejournal.com]

*snuggle* I love cymbalta. A lot.

[beanside.livejournal.com]

Happy New Year!!

*snuggle on your lap*

[beanside.livejournal.com]

I'm really hoping they're going to do trigger points on me. I had that once, and I loved it.

[caarirose.livejournal.com]

*cuddles* I love reading that you're smiling. It makes my day, so yay for you and then some honey!

Apologies for the long comment

[tobemeagain.livejournal.com]

I'm happy to hear that both you and Sam are doing "okay". I had to put 3 of my fur-balls on weight reduction food. The problem is I have 3 over weight and 3 under. Since they all share *hands* at this point though only one stubbornly remains a "lard ass".
As to Cymbalta, I'm soooo glad that it is working for you. I had a bad reaction to it. I couldn't wake up and my vision went foggy; I got taken off of it when I fell down my stairs and ripped my left rotator-cuff. However my step mother got put on it, and after 5 years of being on complete disability was able to go back to work. She is happier than I have seen or heard her be in YEARS. Oh and if possible do stay away from Lyrica, one of the major side effects is migraines and vision loss. Plus on it I had the added benny of gaining 22lbs in three weeks (still haven't been able to loose it all). I was on it for RSD in my left ankle (broke it in 5 places in 07) but the headaches are the major reason to stay far far away.
You've mentioned trigger points before. Is that when they do the steroid shots? Or is that one of the treatments? I ask because I just had one done to my occipital (right side) in Dec. and while some of the pain has gone down, it was by a very negligible amount.
In my good news I have been approved for permanent disability and social security is in the works as well. *sigh* I wish that wasn't needed, but, hey I expected to be denied and was shocked that in a state with over a 61% refusal rate and this economy I was declared eligible.

[eponin10.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon. :) *hugs*

[chainedinbeads.livejournal.com]

I've been living with Fibro for 19 year now and a few things I've learned that have helped is to not eat a lot of carbs. Try to eat a higher protein diet, even if you have to have low-carb protein shakes for meals/snacks. Also, low impact exercise helps. Especially stretching. I am going to be starting yoga as that is also recommended.

The biggest thing I've discovered is to keep your stress levels as low as possible so meditation helps. And when you are feeling run down...rest! Definitely listen to your body and don't push it when it tells you no.

If you have any questions, I don't mind answering them.

Fibro isn't fun but it is something you can live with once you learn your own body.