Newly diagnosed and going nuts

[MaineClassic]

I am a 49 year old female who has suffered with back and general body pain for 2 1/2 years. My doctor put me on Vicoden for the pain, and eventually referred me to a spinal specialist in mid-December. I hit all 18 points and was diagnosed with the fibro then.  I was placed on the Duragesic 100 mcg patch and after two weeks experienced OD symptoms. My doctor then strongly suggested Lyrica 150 mcg twice daily. Even with a discount card the cost was 131.00. I cannot afford that again (I am currently unemployed), and I am not experiencing any marked change in my pain level.  I have patient assistance with Jennsen Ortho for the Duragesic patch, and am thinking of having my doctor put me on the lowest dosage, which I believe is 25 mcg.  Has anyone here had a similar experience?  I never really thought much about fibro before, but I have to say that it is one of the most debilitating experiences of my life.

[Phtartist]

Hi, It seems to me you would benefit from trying Ultram. It is non narcotic and works very well on Fibro.

[MaineClassic]

I did that customer service interview today, but the agency froze it temporarily. I came home, and sent my resume to another dozen or so ads. One of them was to do the Census,. Pay is good, really good. What will happen will happen.

[zippazappa]

Hello... Hope your finding this forum will help you with the many questions that you need answering. There are lots of members on here who are so supportive and know what your going through. I found this forum when i was first dx and its been a blessing..

Am sorry your job lied to you. and sharing a headsets not good at all. I had to have my own when i worked as am prone to catching anybodys germs. i even demanded anti back wipes for the computer as i knew some people didnt wash there hands. and i got them too..hahah. i would give anythink to go back to work, i tryed but it was to exhausting at the time. maybe if you start at lower hours and gradually get back into things before trying the full time. its alot to ask of yourself when your suffering.

wish you the best of luck with the interview.
take care  zz

[VaBreeze]

I was wondering how you would fare with that long stretch.  I know I couldn't do it.  I'm sorry they deceived you.  I feel the same as you about having to use the same headset.  To me, that just seems unsanitary.  

I pray the new job will pain out for you.  I think you'll be much happier doing something less strenous and lower anxiety.

Hope you let us know how your interview went.

[MaineClassic]

I tried to do the 14 hours, but my body just cannot do it.  Factor in that they lied to me about the starting pay, it is less than 10.00 per hour for a very, VERY stressful job. And they will not provided each dispatcher with their own headset, so two or three people use the same headset.  That is just so gross in my eyes. I am not going to stay with this job. I am better of financially on unemployment. But I do have an interview for a better paying customer service job tomorrow morning. It is right in town, so that is a plus. The other job was a 50 mile round trip!

[MaineClassic]

My thyroid is fine. And thanks for the support krikket!  I know from experience that when I am at work I have no problems with performing. I can multitask and do all I have to.  It is when I am home and I down shift that I come unglued. I guess the need to concentrate at work keep me focused and going forward.  I've always loved to work and it is a big part of my self esteem.  My concern right now is sitting in those chairs for 14 hours. I let them know I have fibro, and they are fine with me needing to stretch out and use a back support of some kind. As long as I can track the technicians they are fine with whatever I need.  I think perhaps I just have the new job jitters. I have been out of work since Christmas, so getting back into a work routine will take a little time...

[glorbry]

Please have your thyroid checked, especially the T3.  If you're in the low range, try armour thyroid...it helps my aches and joint pain.

[krikket]

What wonderful news.  I can understand you being both thrilled at the job, but scared wondering how your fibro will react.  I'm discovering that my fibro is easily triggered by stress.  i recently applied for and accepted a "demotion" in position at work for that very reason.  i was very open with them about my fibro, what the pills can do, my fibro fog making it difficult for me to remember things at times, and all the rest.  I let them know if I'm having a "bad" day, and the support I'm receiving is incredible.  It's probably taking me a little longer than it should to learn the job, but I take tons of notes (even the most simple of things I have to do) and that's helping too.

Good luck with your job.  I hope it's everything you want and need. :)

[MaineClassic]

I just got word that I was accepted by Mulitband (DirecTV) for a dispatcher position. The pay is not great, and I have to work 3 14 hour days each week. But a job is a job. And with the economy and job market being what they are, I am not questioning the hours...as long as I have a job!  I wonder how my fibro will be with this new workload. I am trying to fathom a work day THAT long. I start on Wednesday, and I am more than a little scared.  Benefits start April 1.

[kit8dog2]

Hi, me too 49 and I feel the same way you do. I'm on 400 mgs. of lyrica daily.  It helps with the numbing and bone pain, but doesn't help too much with the muscle pain.  I do feel the muscle pain is progressing...and I am trying to keep my head above water.  This stupid FM has robbed me of my life. I'm always been a pretty happy, social and active person, got a cold maybe once every two years...and thats about it.  Then this...oh boy...what a blow to your spirit.  I'm like a homebody now, can't work, and have cognitive problems transferring information, which I'm hoping is from the lyrica and not some sort of added symptom of the condition.  I wake up everyday and say maybe today this is gonna get better...and maybe by the spring this will be gone, Gotta try to stay positive. I refuse to believe I'll have this forever!  .Lets hope they find a cure so we can all have our lives back.  Good luck to all of us!

[krikket]

i don't have too many trigger points, but the ones i do have are doozies...and i'd seriously hurt someone if they tried to hit more of them..lol.  I take 100 mg of Lyrica twice a day, and while they've helped a great deal, it doesn't make my tummy kinda queeze and downright painful, especially if I've forgotten to eat lately.  The reason I'm posting is that I also wear an anti-inflammatory patch called Flector, mainly for my arthritis.  It doesn't help as much as the pills, but there are fewer side effects and at this point I'll take what I can get.  

Good luck and hope everyone is staying warm (It's freezing here in DC..lol)

jiminie

[VaBreeze]

You're quite welcome.  Yes, the cold certainly makes a difference in the joint and muscle pain.  I hope you feel better real soon.  

Lol...gotta laugh about Angel's post on trigger points because I think if they hit one of mine now someone would get hurt!! ha

Be safe ladies.

[kiddthekatt]

Hi there;
   I think we all feel the same way. I never even thought about having Fibromyalgia until I couldn't take that screaming pain any longer. I was actually very upset when he told me that I had Fibro. He found 16 of te 18 trigger points the day I went, and by the time he finished with me, I could barely make it home. I pray that you feel better.

gentle hugs
Angel

[MaineClassic]

Thanks for the welcome, and the informative information.  I am guessing that now I am suffering perhaps a bit more than normal due to the cold.  What I wouldn't give to feel normal again....

[VaBreeze]

http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/2565

This is an article about one of the recalls.

[VaBreeze]

Hi and welcome.  I'm sorry you've had such a bad time.  I had read where some form of patches were recalled a while back, due to the release of too much pain med. (resulting in overdose).  If the patches did help, maybe as you said...try a lower dosage for a while.  If you want to read more about it the recall you can do so at the FDA Recall site.

If the Lyrica is not helping then it doesn't benefit you to take it.  Lyrica does come with some serious side-effects and it is very costly.  

Yes, it can be quite debilitating and i'm sorry you got the dx.  There is some great info. in the Health Pages here that may provide you some treatment methods.  We are all here trying to gain knowledge and find a way to cope with the pain.  You are not alone with this and are welcome to vent or ask questions anytime.

Best of luck to you.