Advice please

[misspiscean]

I am a 43 year old female and for the last 12 months i have been having various symptoms which until now my dr hasnt been taking too seriously (i now have been told to go for blood tests). I am an older mum with a toddler and i am really worried about what could be causing my symptoms so if you have any ideas they would be appreciated.
I have constant pain in my back between the top of my hip bone and the bottome of my ribs either side of my spine. I also have constantly aching joints, including my finger joints, i have some numbness at the front from my hip bone about a third of the way down my thigh, my tummy is tender and i regularly feel nauseous. I am exhausted all the time and yet struggle to sleep at night. When i get up in the morning i feel like i have a hangover even though i havent been drunk i also struggle to focus for about an hour when i get up, wouldnt be able to read anything. I also have brain fog sometimes.  I had a mirena coil fitted about 18 months ago but im told that wouldnt cause these symptoms.

[karajo]

Yes, I am also thinking fibromyalgia.  Generally, the thing that helps w/ fibro is good sleep.  A friend of mine takes benadryl, but my dr. said he was not a big fan of benadryl, so I take a prescription that helps me sleep.  

The vit D, B12, thyroid and autoimmune work-up is highly suggested.  

Some things that can trigger fibromyalgia is stress, lack of sleep and sugar.  

[birthwarrior]

Hi there!  I am also new here...I am your age and have been having the same problems you describe, except some of my symptoms go back 15-16 years!  I have very similar hip pain, stiff hands and the backs of my wrists HURT.  My Dr just ran a series of tests -- B12 & vitamin D levels, checked for thyroid, and ANA levels, as well as checking my liver & kidney functioning.  She just referred me to a rheumatologist for further evaluaiton after my ANA test came back positive and all other tests were normal except my ultra low D levels (8 instead of 30-60).  She thinks I may have fibromyalgia or an autoimmune illness.  Ask your dr to check for same kinds of things!  Mirena wouldn't cause the symptoms, but fibromyalgia might!  Best of luck to you!