Please help

[Barb249]

I'm new to this web site and not sure how to use it.  I have been ill off and on for about a year and a half.  I have been passed from doctor to doctor and all checks out fine in sonograms, blood work, CT scan, Brain CT scan, I continue to have attacks about every four months.  They are just terrible, lower abdoman hurst left, right side, below navel above navel, so tired I feel like I can't pick up my feet, nausia, dizzy (afraid to drive) my vaginal area was so dry that it was distroying my though process, Fog in my head, and began to get short term memory.  The last visit to the ER my husband demanded that they do something.  I have not even had the flu in 20 years and doctors acted like I was crazy. They finally did a test that showed that the inflimation levels in my body were very high.  Now I'm with a Rhumatologist and he seems to understand everything I'm saying.  He thinks I have Sjogren's.  The insurance company sent me information on Fibro and when I read about it I have all the symptoms except weight gain, I have actually lost 20 pounds but I know that is to do with nurves.  I'm going through tests and the doctor tells me that they are not conclusive but he still thinks I have Sjogren's. As far as Fibro I show 5-6 of the trigger points but do take pain medication in the morning so I wonder if that could be interfearing with the test.  He has not ruled out the Fibro, I'm very confused as to why this takes to long, Can anyone give me advise on this.  For some reason prednazone helps they took me off for a few days to check for Addisons and I started to slip back into the symptoms.  But I have read Pred. is not good to be on for long.  Please, I welcome any advice.

[Lowen]

Hi everyone!

Yes, you can have both. As of 2002, 7% of patients with Sjogren's Syndrome, 15% with Rheumatoid Arthritis and 22% of people with Lupus  have a secondary fibromyalgia etc etc.



Feel better!

[Phtartist]

What insurance company sent you info on Fibromyalgia.  I have never gotten info that validated weight gain as part of FM symptoms.

I have gained weight and even with going on a severely regimented weight loss program, in 10 months I only lost 16 pounds.  Other women on the program were losing 45 -75 lbs in the time that I was losing the small amt. I was.  I could not understand this and my frustration was unbelieveable.  

Thanks

[Phtartist]

It is possible to have both.  Since your inflammation test came back high, there is something else going on besides Fibromyalgia.  Fibromyalgia is not an inflammatory illness but it sure can develope from having an illness such as Sjogrens as its precursor.

[PlateletGal]

Hi ! Welcome to MedHelp. If you need any tips on how to use this site (including using our trackers, which help keep track of your symptoms), let me know.

Since your inflammation markers are high, I would think Sjogren's and possibly fibromyalgia. It is possible to have both conditions and what people are seeing with fibromyalgia and CFS... is that they seem to attract other health problems as well. Many of the thousands of people who are on the same research protocol that I was on have multiple diagnoses.

My mother has Sjogren's Syndrome. If you have Sjogren's, it is important to eat a healthy diet.

Welcome to the community and I hope that you will stick around. This is a great place !

[Barb249]

Thank you for the information.  I'm just so confused as to all the test and no results per say.  I will read the web sid that you suggested.

[patsy10]

Sounds like your rheum. is right on.  Sjogren's as I'm sure you  have learned is an autoimmune disease.  Fibro is not a disease but a group of symptoms instead.  It is diagnosed by ruling out all other disease processes.  There is no known cause or cure.  Lab tests are usually normal.  There is no true inflammation going on in true fibro so tests for inflammation are normal.  Fibro would not respond to prednisone as it is an antinflammatory and there is no inflammation in true fibro.  There are overlapping symptoms  like dry eyes etc.. between the two conditions.  The best site I have found regarding fibro is fibromyalgia-symptoms.org if you would like to learn more about it.  I am not a doctor.  I have done lots of reading trying to figure out what I have though.