Overlapping conditions with FMS/CFS

[VaBreeze]

While we have a dx of FMS or CFS, most individuals will have several overlapping conditions along with this dx.  In order to give others an idea of what symptoms/disorders can tag along with these illnesses, I thought it would be good to share from our own experiences.

How many 'overlappers' do you have?

(Overlapping being things that are chronic such as IBS, RA, Lupus, MS, Lyme, Migraines, RLS, PLMD etc.)

[PlateletGal]

It's similiar to my list, although my list is getting a little bit smaller. I at least knocked out some chemical sensitivities and the gluten intolerance.

This is exactly why I had asked Dr. Garth Nicolson to join us in October If we have L-form bacteria, the bacteria will obviously continue to mulitply and then we will end up with additional symptoms and/or conditions.

[HowComeCook]

Ummm...

FMS
MPS
TMJ
IBS
Degenerative Arthritis
Migraines
Chiari malformation
Asthma
Gerd
Insomnia

I don't know if these overlap or what =)

[PlateletGal]

Treating Hidden Viral Infections in CFS/FMS Can Sometimes be a Cure

(from Dr. Teitelbaum's book & website)


http://www.endfatigue.com/health_articles_f-n/Infections-treating_hidden_viral_infections_cfs.html

[dai3symae]

I had the "overlappers" long before the fibro dx.....chemical sensitivities, IBS, migraines, RLS and osteopenia

To: PlateletGal....How did you knock out the chemical sensitivities?  I am very chemically sensitive and have had no luck finding a solution.

[VaBreeze]

A broken bone will heal though and is not typical of CFS...so no it's not quite the same, lol.  Of course, these illnesses come with a host of other problems...some can be attributed as common, others can not.  The intent here was to show just how many other symptoms/disorders can come along with them so others would be aware.  There are many new members who are wondering "Could this be part of my FMS/CFS?"

[barefooted]

Erosive Osteoarthritis (symptoms began in my 20's and present in many family
       members)
Thyroid symptoms started in my 20's but tests never showed positive (however I
       have 2 sisters with Grave's Disease and then 2 of my 4 children dx with Graves)
Fatigue has been present most of adult life, but no formal diagnosis (actually seems
       to have begun after Mono as a teenager)
ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura)  chronic severe low platelets dx in my 50s
Sjogren's Syndrome presents like Lupus but without the two antibodies to heart and
       kidney showing as positive...have very high SSA antibodies for this
Raynauds
FMS   recently diagnosed after years of telling my doctors this was not joint pain
I have very high ANA which seems to address all or most of the above

Once I was diagnosed with the blood disorder ITP, it seems most doctors only focused on that because of the severity of it and any other problem or symptom just fell through the cracks.  In the 10 years since that diagnosis, I have watched doctor after doctor literally and figuratively back away from me or any of the symptoms I was having.  One of the main problems I have had is the fact that steroids as a treatment did not work for me because it increased the pressure in my spinal fluid (they called it Pseudotumor)  and almost anything else out there that could help with pain also lowers platelet count...so I couldn't take them.  It has been a vicious cycle.  Finding Tramadol with this new and horrendous flare has been a miracle for me as it does not seem to lower my platelet count.