Booklover
New member
- Joined
- Aug 2, 2014
- Messages
- 8
- Reason
- DX FIBRO
- Diagnosis
- 07/2014
- Country
- US
- State
- OR
Last week a rheumatologist diagnosed me with fibromyalgia/chronic pain.
I should share that I was diagnosed as hypothyroid 4 years ago. And I'm overweight. I've blamed many of my problems on my weight, even as my dosage for my hypothyroidism has increased.
Over the last two + years, many symptoms have gotten worse, even with my hypo meds. Last April, I had a two week period that had me in frequent tears, so I made an appointment with my primary care doctor. She promptly said it sounded like my thyroid. Even though she felt my blood work didn't show my thyroid as being too off, she increased my dosage again. It helped a little, no more scary periods like that two weeks, but in June when I was supposed to get more blood work I pushed her (had to really push) and she ran additional blood work. Which led her to grudgingly refer me to the rheumatologist.
The rheumatologist looked at the blood results and the questionnaire he'd had me fill out and ruled out arthritis and a number of other things. He said my blood work shows everything as normal. When I made a comment about everything being in my head because my other doctor thinks a multivitamin is all I need, he said no. He then proceeded to tell me that doctors are relying so much on things like blood work that they aren't really listening to how their patients feel. He questioned me about my responses on the questionnaire regarding sleep, fatigue, bowel problems, headaches, pain, how fatigue affects my life (all symptoms not really being relieved by my hypo meds). He then had me get on the table and asked me if he was tender where he was applying pressure. Not tender. Painful. He did this in several places all over my body.
While I'm relieved to hear things aren't in my mind and what I've been experiencing for years now isn't normal, I'm a little in denial. I've spent many years blaming everything on weight. Or chastising myself for being lazy. And, honestly, I read others' experiences and my pain levels aren't close to what many of you experience. After my last dosage increase for my hypothyroidism, I know that my fogginess is linked to being hypo...or, at least, that medication is helping with the fibro. My hypo meds take a little edge off the fatigue, but not as much as I need.
He placed me on a low-level antidepressant for it's effect on seratonin levels, explaining that research has shown some patients experience some relief from the fatigue and experience better sleep (so I don't wake up fatigued before the day starts). He said that the advertised meds are not helpful for everyone and he prefers to start with milder meds if they'll work. Which I'm happy to hear. My pain levels are manageable, and he suspects that some lifestyle changes would help me manage what I do experience. He understands that fatigue is different than just being tired, so he encouraged me to start slow with the exercise and build up gradually. He gave me reading material that he's compiled from research and encouraged me to experiment with diet to help the IBS. He also encouraged me to read up on chronic pain and email him if I have any questions before my next appointment in a month.
I'm a teacher and a little scared about September. May/June were really hard months for me (really sore at night, fatigued, and then I'd crash on the weekends). Even last week I had a bad day for me (not sure why).
I'm also wondering...in your experience, do symptoms worsen over time, or does that really depend upon the patient? To me, it feels like I've been feeling worse as time goes on, which is kind of scary.
I should share that I was diagnosed as hypothyroid 4 years ago. And I'm overweight. I've blamed many of my problems on my weight, even as my dosage for my hypothyroidism has increased.
Over the last two + years, many symptoms have gotten worse, even with my hypo meds. Last April, I had a two week period that had me in frequent tears, so I made an appointment with my primary care doctor. She promptly said it sounded like my thyroid. Even though she felt my blood work didn't show my thyroid as being too off, she increased my dosage again. It helped a little, no more scary periods like that two weeks, but in June when I was supposed to get more blood work I pushed her (had to really push) and she ran additional blood work. Which led her to grudgingly refer me to the rheumatologist.
The rheumatologist looked at the blood results and the questionnaire he'd had me fill out and ruled out arthritis and a number of other things. He said my blood work shows everything as normal. When I made a comment about everything being in my head because my other doctor thinks a multivitamin is all I need, he said no. He then proceeded to tell me that doctors are relying so much on things like blood work that they aren't really listening to how their patients feel. He questioned me about my responses on the questionnaire regarding sleep, fatigue, bowel problems, headaches, pain, how fatigue affects my life (all symptoms not really being relieved by my hypo meds). He then had me get on the table and asked me if he was tender where he was applying pressure. Not tender. Painful. He did this in several places all over my body.
While I'm relieved to hear things aren't in my mind and what I've been experiencing for years now isn't normal, I'm a little in denial. I've spent many years blaming everything on weight. Or chastising myself for being lazy. And, honestly, I read others' experiences and my pain levels aren't close to what many of you experience. After my last dosage increase for my hypothyroidism, I know that my fogginess is linked to being hypo...or, at least, that medication is helping with the fibro. My hypo meds take a little edge off the fatigue, but not as much as I need.
He placed me on a low-level antidepressant for it's effect on seratonin levels, explaining that research has shown some patients experience some relief from the fatigue and experience better sleep (so I don't wake up fatigued before the day starts). He said that the advertised meds are not helpful for everyone and he prefers to start with milder meds if they'll work. Which I'm happy to hear. My pain levels are manageable, and he suspects that some lifestyle changes would help me manage what I do experience. He understands that fatigue is different than just being tired, so he encouraged me to start slow with the exercise and build up gradually. He gave me reading material that he's compiled from research and encouraged me to experiment with diet to help the IBS. He also encouraged me to read up on chronic pain and email him if I have any questions before my next appointment in a month.
I'm a teacher and a little scared about September. May/June were really hard months for me (really sore at night, fatigued, and then I'd crash on the weekends). Even last week I had a bad day for me (not sure why).
I'm also wondering...in your experience, do symptoms worsen over time, or does that really depend upon the patient? To me, it feels like I've been feeling worse as time goes on, which is kind of scary.