Welcome & Introduce yourself to the Fibromyalgia/CFS Forum!

[dustybrown]

Hello and welcome to the Fibromyalgia/CFS forum on MedHelp. This forum is a place for people to come and share experiences with FMS and CFS. Some of you may have a diagnosis from your doctor, some of you may be seeking an answer for undiagnosed symptoms and some of you may be a relative or friend of one who is suffering. This is a great place to learn more and to gain support from others who suffer as well.

In addition to the community here, MedHelp also offers tools to help you and your doctor in your road to wellness. Fibromyalgia and CFS can be so intricate and can have so many different symptoms. Due to this, it is very helpful that MedHelp offers health trackers for us to utilize. We can track our progress and especially our flare ups. Below are just a few trackers that I find useful.

• CFS/FMS Tracker - http://www.medhelp.org/land/health-trackers
• Pain Tracker - http://www.medhelp.org/land/pain-tracker
• Mood Tracker - http://www.medhelp.org/land/mood-tracker
• Weight Tracker - http://www.medhelp.org/land/track-weight-loss

MedHelp also offers a plethora of “encyclopedia style” information available through the Health Topics tab at the top of the page. If you follow the links below you can learn more about Fibromyalgia and CFS, both topics of which are available on MedHelp.

http://www.medhelp.org/medical-information/show/124/Fibromyalgia

http://www.medhelp.org/medical-information/show/636?section_id=27670#sec_27670

I urge you to introduce yourself below and tell us a little about what brought you to the Fibromyalgia/CFS Forum. Again, welcome to MedHelp and the Fibromyalgia/CFS forum!

Sincerely,

Your Community Leader,
Dustybrown

[moomanoo]

I forgot to add that I  currently takin TREMOL 100mg twice a day, and it helping alot with the pain.

[moomanoo]

Hey there evryone,

I am going to a reumatoid specialist in Early Feb., as my GP thinks it's the next step with my problems, she suspects FMS.....
These are my symptoms:
Muscle weakness (especially the legs)/always tired
Itchy skin (all over)
Foggy brain
Balance problems
Anxiety/stress
Vitamin B12 deficiency (have to have B12 shots)
IBS
Reflux
Photosensitivity
Reaunards phenomenom
Pain:shoulders, hips, lower back, down back of left leg, left side of chest, under left armpit
Have bursitis in left hip and right shoulder (had cortisone injections in both) opposite hip and shoulder also very bad, and also a muscle/tendon tear in my groin (which causes a great amount of discomfort/pain)
I had a fall in November 2009, which my GP thought was the cause of hip and shoulder bursitis, however after having cortisone not fully releive, and all my other pain, and torn muscle (with no conclusion as to how I did this) she thinks it's odd, and there is more to it.
Does anyone have similar symptoms, and has been diagnosed with FMS? Does anyone out there think this is what I may have?

[lvfrogs]

Jon,
I just saw that you had sent a question to me. I wish I was more knowledgeable to help you but can only tell you from my personal perspective. What does your primary doctor say? It was my pulmonologist that suggested I had chronic fatigue syndrome after a test showing active Epstein Barr Virus. My nuerologist suggested the fibro as did my primary doctor, so I am lucky in that they both believe that's what I have and that is HUGE. Being told it's in your head (like I had been told previously) is just wrong. If you feel comfortable seeing a pyschiatrist, then by all means do so; however, please take along a list of all your physical symptoms too and tell him/her that you are concerned you have Fibro and/or CFS. I had a postive ANA test too and they can't explain why as everything else was negative. I also had a brain scan with spots that they truly can't identify (re-doing this spring), so trust me when I say, you cannot always believe your doctors and especially your friends. You have to go with your gut instinct and you have to fight to get answers. Feel free to contact me if you need support or any other questions. Good luck :)

[Emmynichole]

Hi everyone,
I am 24 I have Fibromyalgia and CFS. I was officially diagnosed 3 years ago but I have had syndromes since I was seven. But back then they would of never of thought a seven year old would have fibromyalgia. This disease is nothing new to me. My mom and Aunt also have fibro. I use to go to an amazing fibro doctor 3 years ago but he is so expensive so I had to stop seeing him. So now I'm not really sure what to do with some new odd symptoms I have been having. I have the normal stiff hand and feet in the morning. But lately I have been having a feeling like and have a really bad sun or rug burn on my arms and hands and sometimes back. Does anyone else have that? I also have my upper arms feeling like something is really tight around them (almost like when your blood pressure is being taken) and then they feel weighted. Please some have that odd symptom... I would love to hear from people.  

[jon799]

HI,
My rheumatologist is ruling out SLE.
I had a positive ANA..1:40 dilution , weak speckeld
Just got my Antids DNA and Anti SM results...both negative.
My neuro provide me the meds like Xanor (like Xanax) and Celepra (like Celexa)
to address my anxiety and panic and depression.
None of my 5 doctors has DX me with CFS or FIbro.
Friends are telling me its psychosomatic issues..
I am contemplating on going to a psychiatrist.
ANy thoughts.
J

[giules90]

Hi there, my name is Giulia 34 yrs and live in Australia. I was just dx'd with Fibromyalgia this last week. I also have Hashimoto's which was only dx'd June of this year with mod goiter and nodule. I have had aches, pains, stiffness, headaches, IBS etc for +10 years but always just 'lived' with it. It all started in Oct 09 when I was getting chronic headaches and sinus symptoms..it was like I had a permanent cold/hayfever. Docs gave me antibiotics, 3 or 4 times over a course of 5 months which did not shift it. CT scan showed mod congestion. It wasn't until May this year my doc noticed my neck was a little swollen and did tests for TSH. It came back a bit high so she tested for antibodies too. These came back way over range so was sent to an endo. She told me I was sub clinical hypothyroid and US confirmed I had Hashi's. I was given 75 mcg thyroxine. After 6 weeks I returned to the endo and my blood tests came back in range (antibodies still way over tho) and because my symptoms had not changed and I had gained a few extra, she flat out told me it was not my thyroid causing the symptoms. So off I trot back to the doc who tests me for other autoimmune diseases, all of which came back negative. I also get a referral to a Rhuematologist whom I saw only this last week. After a long chat and examination she said I had Fibromyalgia, but told me I needed to get my thyroid sorted out (this is easier said than done in Aus!) She gave me a script for Endep 5 mg to help me sleep better. She has also given me a list of blood tests to get done. Thursday I went to a new Endo (not keen on my first) went through all my symptoms and told him my latest dx from Rhuemy. My latest blood results, although 'in range' were a little low so he upped my meds but also said I need to look elsewhere for my symptoms i.e. it's the Fibro. However the Hashi's will never go away until it has completely destroyed my thyroid.
Just about all of my symptoms can be cross referenced between the two, they are very similar. This has all been such a lot to take in in such a short amount of time. I wonder if one has brought on the other, you read such conficting things depending where you look it's very confusing at times. My poor husband is very patient and understanding but even he wants answers now! I have more blood tests my endo wants done plus the ones my Rhuemy wants, but not for 6 weeks yet!
I'm sorry for the long post, especially at times it may not seem relevant but is the journey to me getting dx'd. Just wonder if anyone else here has had a similar experience?
Thanks G