I'm losing my sister

[4shellsake]

I don't normally post such things online but I don't know where else to turn.  I am a 35 year old female, I am a working mom, wife, daughter, and.....sister.  I am a positive, upbeat, enthusiastic person but I feel completely lost, disenheartened, helpless when it comes to my sister.  You see, I am losing her to fibromyalgia.  What's worse is her children are losing her too.  She can't function anymore.......she's having seizures, she's tried a numerous variety of medication, both for pain and the fibromyalgia itself.  She has migraines that are completely debilitating.  Her speach is slurred, it's as if she has to really concentrate to get a sentence out anymore.  At times she reminds me of a stroke victim.  She's been to acupuncture.  She's had steroid injections for the pain.....nothing's given her relief.  Now, the s/s are becoming more frequent and severe.  She's had a seizure while driving and was in an accident.  She's  been through a battery of tests, you name it, she's tried it.  I need help....her children need their mom back and I want my sister back.....any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Feeling completely helpless.

[PlateletGal]

I am so sorry for what you and your family are going through. I'm wondering though... could your sister have lyme disease or another illness instead ?

There is a physician who will be in MedHelp beginning Monday (Nov. 9th). He is an expert on these chronic illnesses. If you could get your sisters medical history (lab reports, diagnostic tests, etc.) and post the information for him, I'm sure he will answer your post. I know his research and helpful responses to my questions have been a blessing for me.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Fibromyalgia---CFS/Prof-Garth-Nicolson-is-back-answering-questions-starting-11-9-09/show/1094401

Keeping you all in my thoughts n' prayers,

~PlateletGal

[patsy10]

Yes as Plateletgal posted.  Could she have lyme?  PA is a lyme endemic state and FMS does not cause seizures.  Her symptoms sound like more than fibro to me.

[mommyandwife]

I see she has been through many tests.  Have they done a brain MRI to check for lesions, etc?  My cousin has multiple sclerosis and she gets the paralysis sometimes.  It would be worth asking her to check.. There is also more than one way to diagnose MS.  She should ask the doctor about it.  I am saying a prayer right now for you and your family.  Please God open doors that lead to the root of the problem so this situation can gain some control.  Please give this woman a better quality of life.  Please heal her in any way possible so that she may have some happiness and peace.  

[Totie]

I have to agree, does not sound like Fibro.

Can she get a second opinion? Something else is going on with her.

[kitonthemoon]

My heart goes out to you, your sister and her kids.  Sometimes, between Lyme, FMS, Lupus, ME/CFS, MS...the overlaping symtoms can make the definate dx blurred.
I Have ME/CFS, Addison Disease, FMS, Cardiomyalpathy...I do know people with ME/CFS who experience seizures. When I have a 'worse than bad' day, my speech gets blurry too, my voice box goes in and out.  These can be neurological problems in these diseases itself.

I can imagine how frightening it must be for you and her children watching mom suffer and not know what's exactly wrong.  Don't be discouraged and keep on looking for answers for her.  Hang in there for your sister, and let her know you are there for her would help her a lot emotionally.

Please stop by whenever u or her needs support.  Every is very generous and supportive here.

Also, try and check if there's any conficts between all the meds she is taking that could also contribute to some of her symptoms.

Best wishes.

[onenamilliongirl]

The best light I can share in raising 2 girls with fibro, and they were 4 & 7 when my symptoms were at their worst, I couldn't hardly function at all, & I moved like I was a 95 yr old on my last breath of life, the fatigue & pain was excruciating. I would spend no less then half an hour just begging, pleading with God to just help me get up and at least be able to move, to get the girls ready for school, they are 6 & 9 now. My fibro & fatigue is now at least manageble with meds, I take neurontin, endocet, effexor & provigil. I have read over 100 books on my symptoms, pain, and fibromyalgia. Different meds & methods work for different people. I really feel having fibro effects so much more then realised, and I know it can cause u to sink into depression. Please take heart, with perseverence, time and the right meds or regiment for her, she WILL get better.By the way some of her symptoms sound like mine were when I tried Lyrica. God bless.

[kitonthemoon]

p.s.
Just dawned on me that car accident might have done some damage to your sister neurologically when she had seizure that time.  Somebody suggested MRI and I think it might be a good idea too.

May God bless you, your sister and her family.