You would think

[Melissa70817]

You would think that the FM pain would be enough but for the depression  too......Geeze, this is just a never ending condition.  All I want is my life back...I just want to want to do things again, to be active and work out in the yard, instead of letting my grass get two feet tall before I have someone cut it for me, to clean my house, I'm sure my cats would appreciate their litter boxes being changed and I would love for that smell to go away or to have a clean towel, I would love to be able to sit in one position for more than 5 minutes without extreme pain, I would love to ride my horse again..  I just feel like a trip to the bathroom is the most energy I can exert.  I can't sleep and then when I finally do I can't get up.  Its a never ending battle.........never ending.

[idesofmarch]

Do you see a RA dr.? Have you tried getting samples from your DRs.? I got a form from my DR. to get my meds free from the drug company-actually the meds go to the dr. office for me.  Certain ones are easier to get.  write directly to the drug companies if you can. Write 1 generic letter then copy it( Paper Written). Give your Dr. name, address etc on the letter or give the letter to the dr. to see if it is alright.  Don't just sit and die away. Whatever you are taking and doing isn't working or needs atleast 6 weeks to kick in.  Concentrate on getting the help you need NOT on what you can not do anymore. It is hard but I believe you can do it with the help of close friends and this forum.  JUST DO IT, no excuses.   We've all been there for the most part, I too lost my insurance 6 months ago and I haven't done without.  Also Walmart has a list of > 400 meds that are $4.00 for generics.  Seek help with your government-welfare, medicare, food stamps etc...

[TRISH1970]

Hi again! I found this post from you also and had to write! I can so relate to you. I want my life back too! I was always so active. (working in yard, exercise, riding motorcycles, ect.) then this thing took my life! Almost literally! I hurt soo bad I can barely stand it and am so depressed I have lost all ambition or drive to do anything. Seems like I have tried all sorts of meds. (Lyrica, Cymbalta, Viox, Celebrex, Predizone, ect, can't remember, lol) I too take loritabs, ibupro, tramadol, tylenol, anything I can get sometimes that will help with the pain) but that doesn't really help and I think may even make me more depressed! I work for CSX railroad and have a great job but have been off work for 3 yrs now. Can't handle the stress even if I could get my butt to work.... last yr I was having what I call blackouts, (lost periods of time) and the neuro said I was having "mini-seizures". Now my work won't let me come back even if I could so I had to file for disability. Waiting to hear............ and broke! Needless to say, that doesn't help the situation as I am sure you know. One thing I am very thankful for is I still have my insurance, although I am not sure how much it helps. I know none of this helps, but I am new to this site and it helps me just to hear others say how I feel. I have felt so alone and CRAZZZY for 10 yrs now and it's nice to have someone to talk to.

P.S. I also have been diagnosed with Lupus but don't believe it is accurate because of my symptoms. It doesn't fit into anything I have read about it. The rheumi is who diagnosed me with Fibro. (2 different ones!) Geeeeez! Huh?

HANG IN THERE....if you wanna chat, holler! Trish ;-) Take care.

[PlateletGal]

Good luck... I hope the information helps. And yes, many fibro & CFS patients have some autoimmunity issues. I know my ANA titer is 1:640. (speckled pattern).

[Melissa70817]

Autoimmune....that might be what has been making me have chronic vaginal bacterial infections for the past 7 years also.

[Melissa70817]

Thank you so much...I will look them up now.

[PlateletGal]

Hi Melissa,

You may want to check out my profile. I have my website address that I list as a resource for all of us CFS'ers & fibromyalgia patients who are often forgotten about and left in limbo. I post the latest treatment plans recommended by the fibro/CFS experts on my website. A lot of these treatment plans include supplements, which you can get at any pharmacy or health food store. I also post links to physicians around the country who often treat CFS & fibro. Perhaps you can find another physician in your area that could be more helpful ?

[Melissa70817]

Since I no longer have insurance or a job I have had to get off of all medications except my antidepressant which I had to stop taking because it was making  me sick and I never got a return call from my doctors nurse to prescribe something else after I called many times, and my pain meds and muscle relaxers.  I was actually diagnosed pretty fast with FM, maybe 6 months after I started seeing my doctor.  I've been on everything and it seems that if one med doesn't make me sick, the other gives me panic attacks, anxiety attacks or just doesn't work.  There is no way I can do exercises, the slightest exertion is like a work out soreness in my muscles that lasts for days.  I haven't drank in 2 or 3 years because even though I didn't drink often, when I did, the pain from the release of the toxins in the alcohol was too severe.  The only thing that works for my pain is the pain meds and soma combined.  One without the other doesn't work.  The lortab without the soma's make me sick and the soma's without the lortabs make me sick.  As far as "treating" fibro, other than with drugs, I'm not sure what you are talking about.  There are no FM specialists here and there are only a few Rhemi's.  

[PlateletGal]

How are you currently being treated ? One problem I have with physicians who are "treating" fibro, is that they prescribe drugs only and really don't know too much about the illness. Have you checked out various treatment plans recommended by the fibro/CFS experts ?