30th May 2008
Hi all :wave:. I am new here, even though I have been lurking around for the past two weeks wondering if you kind understanding folks would end up being my future support system.
Please allow me share with you a little history... during the first week of March of this year, I had influenza. I was tested, diagnosed and treated. After a few days, I finally started feeling better; but the very next week, I felt like I had the flu all over again. I was running a low-grade fever, ached all over, and just wanted to stay in bed. Well, as luck would have it, I had to wait five long weeks before I could see my doctor (she'd had emergency gall bladder surgery). During this time, my fever went away and I felt slightly better. However, by my appointment, I was extremely draggy, my arms and legs ached constantly and I had developed a burning sensation in my arms. My internist ordered lots of blood tests on me, and when the results came back, I had two abnormal RA factors. She immediately referred me to a rheumatologist, and put me on 800mg of ibuprofen three times a day. Once again my bad luck came into play, and I had to wait another month before I could get in with the rheumy. The ibuprofen did help somewhat, but caused an upset stomach. I ended up calling my doctor and she changed my meds and put me on Voltaren. However, after only three days of this, I was experiencing severe stomach cramps, swelling of my hands and feet, and had developed a nose bleed. With just less than a week before my appointment with the rheumy, I completely stopped the pain meds due to the side effects and decided to wing it till my appointment.
Finally, today was the day! After reviewing my labs, giving my medical history, and all the poking and prodding that goes along with the exam, the rheumatologist said I definitely have Fibromyalgia. She talked about the possibility of other auto-immune syndromes such as lupus and said something about vitamin D, but quite frankly by this time, I was in shock and I think my brain had just stopped working (even though fms had been lurking in the back of my mind:eek:). She gave me two prescriptions, one for Etodolac for the pain, and Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) to help me sleep. She also ordered lots more blood work (eleven tubes worth!!!), and I'm really not sure what all that was for. I am to see her again in three weeks unless something major shows up in these latest labs.
So my questions for you all...my new support system (I hope, if you will have me?) ...are:
#1 Has anyone been on these meds? Do they work? What side effects might I expect?
#2 What's up with all the blood work? What all is she checking for?
#3 What has vitamin D got to do with fms?
#4 Has anyone else experienced this burning sensation in your arms? My wrists all the way up into my upper arm feel like there is a fire spreading under my skin.
#5 Any suggestions on reading material so I can learn more about Fibromyalgia, but is easy to understand?
Thank you for allowing me this time. I look forward to meeting you and hearing from lots of folks. Thea
Please allow me share with you a little history... during the first week of March of this year, I had influenza. I was tested, diagnosed and treated. After a few days, I finally started feeling better; but the very next week, I felt like I had the flu all over again. I was running a low-grade fever, ached all over, and just wanted to stay in bed. Well, as luck would have it, I had to wait five long weeks before I could see my doctor (she'd had emergency gall bladder surgery). During this time, my fever went away and I felt slightly better. However, by my appointment, I was extremely draggy, my arms and legs ached constantly and I had developed a burning sensation in my arms. My internist ordered lots of blood tests on me, and when the results came back, I had two abnormal RA factors. She immediately referred me to a rheumatologist, and put me on 800mg of ibuprofen three times a day. Once again my bad luck came into play, and I had to wait another month before I could get in with the rheumy. The ibuprofen did help somewhat, but caused an upset stomach. I ended up calling my doctor and she changed my meds and put me on Voltaren. However, after only three days of this, I was experiencing severe stomach cramps, swelling of my hands and feet, and had developed a nose bleed. With just less than a week before my appointment with the rheumy, I completely stopped the pain meds due to the side effects and decided to wing it till my appointment.
Finally, today was the day! After reviewing my labs, giving my medical history, and all the poking and prodding that goes along with the exam, the rheumatologist said I definitely have Fibromyalgia. She talked about the possibility of other auto-immune syndromes such as lupus and said something about vitamin D, but quite frankly by this time, I was in shock and I think my brain had just stopped working (even though fms had been lurking in the back of my mind:eek:). She gave me two prescriptions, one for Etodolac for the pain, and Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) to help me sleep. She also ordered lots more blood work (eleven tubes worth!!!), and I'm really not sure what all that was for. I am to see her again in three weeks unless something major shows up in these latest labs.
So my questions for you all...my new support system (I hope, if you will have me?) ...are:
#1 Has anyone been on these meds? Do they work? What side effects might I expect?
#2 What's up with all the blood work? What all is she checking for?
#3 What has vitamin D got to do with fms?
#4 Has anyone else experienced this burning sensation in your arms? My wrists all the way up into my upper arm feel like there is a fire spreading under my skin.
#5 Any suggestions on reading material so I can learn more about Fibromyalgia, but is easy to understand?
Thank you for allowing me this time. I look forward to meeting you and hearing from lots of folks. Thea