Tired of Pain

[snowbell222]

What do you do when your active life has turned to sitting because the pain is so bad that you can not walk or exercise?  I have no range of motion in hips so the pain is constant.  I have knees that are in gripping pain when walking.  I really do not know where to start.  I have fibromyalgia which adds to the problems with great fatigue. Exercise is only in water but in the winter I can not drag myself to the gym to do this. Summer I have a pool and it helps a lot.  I am 60 lbs overweight and do not know how to get this weight off is I can not move.  Pain causes depression and that is hard to handle.  Got to have a starting point of some kind. Meds are only neurotin which helps little. Can not get down on the floor because can not bend.  So help please.   I miss all my outdoor activities especially boating and hiking.  I see a wheelchair in my future.  Can't walk in malls and in groceries stores have to use cart as a walker.  Now What?

[Caroline565]

Hi there. I'm new to the forum but not to fibro as I have had it over 17 years. Have you considered physical therapy to help get those hips moving? Is it possible your hips are affected by your piriformis muscle (sometimes referred to as piriformis syndrome) It's hard to say for sure, but knees can have what they call "referred" pain from the hips. Have they ruled out other possibilities?

Do you have a good daily stretching regimen? There are some very good ones for the hips and legs. Applying  moist heat can be helpful too. If I were you, I'd be doing all I could to remain flexible so I wouldn't be thinking wheelchair.

You really hit on one fact--we do need to be our own advocates. I really struggled with hip and knee pain which the doctors or no one could understand. What I did find out eventually was that I had a whole lot of trp's behind the hip, going down the side of my butt. My husband found them and applied pressure and broke them up and it was a huge relief!! I'm not suggesting this is your problem but sometimes those darn trp's can hurt more than the fibromyalgia!

[snowbell222]

You made my day.  I do feel alone a lot but this forum is encourageing me and what you said is a blessing to me.  I do imagine that a lot of my pain is the fibro but I need to investigate it more instead of relying on a doctor who sits with her prescriptions already made out and just signs the one she thinks will help. With spring ahead it will be a little easier to ger around.  Winter roads are not good for me plus the weather effects me a lot plus I also have SAD.  What a mess.  I miss the gym and all the things I use to do.  Have to except it but not give up no matter how bad it hurts. Thanx again for your help. Thanks to all of you.  It helps a lot.

[Cindee56]

Just to let you know, I am in EXACTLY the same boat.  I have upper body pain also.  My case is complicated because I have back/neck problems, osteoarthritis in knees, and fibromyalgia.  I take a statin also, but I went off it and had the same pain, so they put me back on it because my cholesterol is awful.  

I am much older than you, but I used to be very active, always walking, going to the gym, until 5 years ago.  I gained 40 lbs in 5 yrs.


My doctor refuses to give me RA drugs because he says I do not have RA.  A lot of your pain can be coming from the fibro, which is a debilitating disease.  I am trying everything also and I've been to pain management and all specialists.  

I do hope a new doctor will help you.  Just so you know you are not alone.

[Dnmh]

"They say take tylenol."
Too funny! I get the same thing!
A GOOD doctor is key when you have chronic pain. They will work with you to find the best treatment plan that works for you, not one that just 'sells" you prescriptions for any 'ole pain med!

Good luck with the pain clinic! Let us know how it goes!

[snowbell222]

Signing up for pain clinic this next week.  Talk to my RA doctor and figured this was a good thing.  Funny it is like you have to be the doctor.  Am looking into switching.  Also believe that my statin drug is causing some increased pain so have to deal with that.  Thanx for your help.  It means a lot just to know that someone else cares and understands.  None of my friends have a clue.  They say take tylenol. LOL

[snowbell222]

Thanks.  I guess I need to switch Doctors because my current one is not doing anything for me.  She just listens and agrees with me and then that is it.  So I will try to find another RA and be re-evaluated. One little pill does not cut it.  I appreciate your encouraging remarks. I have no one around that even knows what it is like to be in pain all the time let alone feel depressed because you can not do what you did and to watch all of your friends just go on and on with their active lifes.  Guess all I want is to be able to function a little more.  Will try all of your suggestions.

Snowbell222

[sunnidaze]

Your best bet is to see a good Rhematologist. I suffered and a lot of it needlessly simply because I didn't think anything  could be be 'really' that wrong and not be referred to a specialist.

There is a new day for us! No, it won't make us a healthy 20 year old again, but you can take control. I know at this minute it seems utterly hopeless, but I have been in you situation and then my husband died which finished my help off completely! The I really found out how helpless I really was.

The first phone call is the hardest. If it is bad enough, call 911. Sometime we need help before we can think through a situation.

My heart aches for you. I think Dnmh questions are on target. The new meds for RA can do 'miracles'  Don't give up. If the first RA doctor is not encouraging, look for another. I suggest asking anyone you know if they know of a good RA. If he is of your faith, seriously, it will be easier, usually. The exception to the rule applies of course.

Sending you my best wishes for your improvement. I'll not forget you, you touched my heartstings.

Sunnidaze

[Dnmh]

Have you tried a Pain Management Clinic? What type of doctor are you seeing?
It may be time to have them re-evaluate your medications.