Is there room for one more?

Hi, I'm new here. I'm a 40 year old single mom of a 10 year old boy! The light of my life of course. First of all, I want to thank all of you! Because of this board I am now pretty sure I have Fibromyalgia and not going crazy! I had been researching it and was about 90% sure, and then I found this message board and a few members were describing pain I had not been able to find out anything about anywhere else, and it was like "BINGO". Thats it! Even though i suspected Fibromyalgia, the realization that is really is, has hit me hard. I was hoping this pain would go away and to find out now it won't is hard to accept. I still want to go be tested for Lyme disease just to make sure it is not that. I dont have any insurance.
I read the messages on this board and found out, i'm not very different than all of you. I was healthy and active before this. I have exercised and watched what i ate most of my life. Taken care of the yard work, everything around the house, etc. Nothing was too big of a job for me. And now, i feel totally unable to do most things. It is very depressing.
It is so unlike me to want to nap instead of do a hobby, or let my yard work go or not exercise. Its just all too hard! My body hurts too much. It's like my whole personality and lifestyle has changed in the last few months.
I'm darn mad! I just needed to vent! I liked sitting on the floor playing legos with my son, i like pulling weeds outside in the yard, i like to be physical! And here i am like a bump on a log aching and complaining.
I believe this started for me with a virus. In May or June I had horrible stomach pains. I waited 6 weeks and then went to the doctor. They did bloodwork and an ultrasound. Found nothing. I also had a pelvic exam and a mammogram. nothing. Finally the doctor decided it was a virus or stomach infection. I took antibiotics and the stomach pains got better slowly and thats when the muscle and joint pain and everything else started.
I need to do more research and come up with some kind of plan. There has to be something that will help.
thanks for letting me vent.

[selmaS]

HI, and Welcome...have u checked ur tender points?....there r 18, nad if u have 11 u have fibro. It would be good if u can get to a dr for testing and rule out things like lymes ect....

I hope u find ur dx and treatment that works for u!
Godspeed
"selma"

[PlateletGal]

Hi ! Welcome aboard ! I definitely agree that you should consider being tested for lyme disease.... smart move. However, many people with lyme disease have a false negative test. For the best test for lyme, check out:

http://www.immed.org/illness/clinical_testing.html

[VaBreeze]

We are so happy to hear that this forum was useful to you and helped you with your concerns.

If you could consult with a physician they can test you to see exactly what is causing your illness.  While it may sound like fibro, there are other conditions it could be as well.  

Please take care.

[Phtartist]

Interesting note, some Dr.s are doing research to see if a certain enterovirus in the stomach is what causes CFS/FM.

[VaBreeze]

The last documentation of research on this that I could locate was in 2003 (as it relates to the enterovirus and fibro).  From that study there was only a percentage of those with fibromyalgia whom had evidence of the enterovirus.  Strange that it would show in some, but not in others.  Their thinking is that it involved different immune reactions.

There was more research done in 2007 where the enterovirus seemed to be predominate in the stomachs of those with chronic fatigue syndrome (82%)...but that study did not include those with fibro.  I believe that 82% is quite a high amount, indicating there is definitely a relationship.  

I'm so glad to see them furthering this much needed research.  Praying for the cure.

[Phtartist]

That is probably the same  research.

I found the info in one of the links on the NFA newsletter that I get.  It did focus more on CFS.

It will take me time but I have to find the info. I will get back to you.

hugs

[VaBreeze]

If you are like me, you get more than one of those newsletters (hee, hee, hee).  

Thanks much for your support. :-)

[Phtartist]

I had sent the article to my gastroenterologist who also works holistically and looks at the whole picture.  I went to him with stomach pains and constipation with intestinal pain. He tested with his endoscope and a colonoscopy. Did other tests to rule out what was wrong, then called the psych that prescribes the antidepressant I was on and had a discussion with her as to what she needed to do with my meds.

He explained to me that I was having side effects from Zoloft and he had her change my AD. My symptoms ended.

He is always contacting me with things to help my FM.  This is the link I sent him.

http://phoenix-cfs.org/IntChia2.html