sleepygrumpydopey
New member
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2015
- Messages
- 5
- Reason
- DX FIBRO
- Diagnosis
- 01/2015
- Country
- US
- State
- FL
Hi there,
My journey:
My mother had RA and used to tell me she was "crippled after I was born" and couldn't walk for weeks. I used to laugh at her silently and think she was being a little dramatic, couldn't believe that was true.
After my daughter was born, I was 29, I have head to toe tendinopathy and could hardly walk and couldn't open a door. I had steroid injections in my feet, shoulder and wrist that year. Was told I had erosions in my shoulder joints, and diagnosed by rheum as seronegative RA or Psoriatic arthritis and put on diclofenac, vioxx, then celebrex. Those helped for a while, then I just stopped taking them and "muddled through." I was working the ER for years and was one of those that really did think, although with compassion, that Fibro was related to deep seeded anxiety/depression/traumatic emotional experiences. In fact, I had done some life coaching/personal development work with several patients with amazing improvement in their outcomes.
By the time I was 40, I had become a nurse practitioner. I worked critical care, lungs, and sleep medicine for 4 years. Then, did a year of Neurology with predominantly MS, fibromyalgia, migraines, parkinson, etc. Now I am doing Urgent Care/Family Practice.
Last year I had my second head to toe flare of what I assumed was RA/PSA. Hands, wrists, elbows, ankles, knees, shoulders were swollen extremely painful to touch... I used compounding cream, 10 ice packs, and since I only have a shower; my hubby went and got a kiddie pool and epsom salts and I took a warm backyard kiddie pool bath. That helped a lot.
Finally, after avoiding DMARDS and doctors, I saw a very well respected Rheumatologist in December. She did trigger point palpation and I almost jumped to the roof. She giggled and said "you have fibromyalgia and Sjrogren's." I immediately said, "no I don't, I don't accept that diagnosis, you need to take that back, no ER will ever take me seriously again if I go there for something." LOL. She did bloodwork, X-rays, and gave me educational reading on Fibro and Sjrogrens.
Here's where it get weird. She told me that Cymbalta was considered an option if diagnostics confirmed her hunch. Told me to stop NSAIDS cause they don't help fiber...... that was true.
I was in a lot pain, the doc I worked with said "don't wait, try a sample of Cymbalta until you follow up." So I did. HUGE HUGE improvement in mood, anxiety, pain, mobility, flexibility.
Well, I went back to Rheum today. My work up results still pending. She then told me she isn't accepting any new Fibro cases. Refused to give me an rx for Cymbalta, saying it's not used for Fibro. And told me I would need to see PCP for that. Then said she would notify me if my results indicated something other than Fibro and Sjrogrens.............. that was it. I was ticked! You're gonna give me that diagnosis, reverse your previous plan and make me think I"m nuts, and not provide me with a non-narcotic completely legitimate option until we figure this out?
I am humbled by the new perspective I have gained through my now personal experience with Fibro. I used to scream if my husband accidentally "poked me" with his hand or finger anywhere... I used to say "stop poking me, I have sensitive FAT." It used to be a painfully true joke and we would laugh. Now, we know, it wasn't just me being weird (although I am a bit weird).
So, I'm glad I found this site. I have to find a new PCP because mine just went "concierge". So I'm in limbo and really need to find a doc to prescribe my Cymbalta again. I don't work for that other doc anymore and don't really want to bring my personal life into my current practice and colleagues.... learned that one the hard way years ago.
Good to meet you all,
Sleepygrumpydopey
My journey:
My mother had RA and used to tell me she was "crippled after I was born" and couldn't walk for weeks. I used to laugh at her silently and think she was being a little dramatic, couldn't believe that was true.
After my daughter was born, I was 29, I have head to toe tendinopathy and could hardly walk and couldn't open a door. I had steroid injections in my feet, shoulder and wrist that year. Was told I had erosions in my shoulder joints, and diagnosed by rheum as seronegative RA or Psoriatic arthritis and put on diclofenac, vioxx, then celebrex. Those helped for a while, then I just stopped taking them and "muddled through." I was working the ER for years and was one of those that really did think, although with compassion, that Fibro was related to deep seeded anxiety/depression/traumatic emotional experiences. In fact, I had done some life coaching/personal development work with several patients with amazing improvement in their outcomes.
By the time I was 40, I had become a nurse practitioner. I worked critical care, lungs, and sleep medicine for 4 years. Then, did a year of Neurology with predominantly MS, fibromyalgia, migraines, parkinson, etc. Now I am doing Urgent Care/Family Practice.
Last year I had my second head to toe flare of what I assumed was RA/PSA. Hands, wrists, elbows, ankles, knees, shoulders were swollen extremely painful to touch... I used compounding cream, 10 ice packs, and since I only have a shower; my hubby went and got a kiddie pool and epsom salts and I took a warm backyard kiddie pool bath. That helped a lot.
Finally, after avoiding DMARDS and doctors, I saw a very well respected Rheumatologist in December. She did trigger point palpation and I almost jumped to the roof. She giggled and said "you have fibromyalgia and Sjrogren's." I immediately said, "no I don't, I don't accept that diagnosis, you need to take that back, no ER will ever take me seriously again if I go there for something." LOL. She did bloodwork, X-rays, and gave me educational reading on Fibro and Sjrogrens.
Here's where it get weird. She told me that Cymbalta was considered an option if diagnostics confirmed her hunch. Told me to stop NSAIDS cause they don't help fiber...... that was true.
I was in a lot pain, the doc I worked with said "don't wait, try a sample of Cymbalta until you follow up." So I did. HUGE HUGE improvement in mood, anxiety, pain, mobility, flexibility.
Well, I went back to Rheum today. My work up results still pending. She then told me she isn't accepting any new Fibro cases. Refused to give me an rx for Cymbalta, saying it's not used for Fibro. And told me I would need to see PCP for that. Then said she would notify me if my results indicated something other than Fibro and Sjrogrens.............. that was it. I was ticked! You're gonna give me that diagnosis, reverse your previous plan and make me think I"m nuts, and not provide me with a non-narcotic completely legitimate option until we figure this out?
I am humbled by the new perspective I have gained through my now personal experience with Fibro. I used to scream if my husband accidentally "poked me" with his hand or finger anywhere... I used to say "stop poking me, I have sensitive FAT." It used to be a painfully true joke and we would laugh. Now, we know, it wasn't just me being weird (although I am a bit weird).
So, I'm glad I found this site. I have to find a new PCP because mine just went "concierge". So I'm in limbo and really need to find a doc to prescribe my Cymbalta again. I don't work for that other doc anymore and don't really want to bring my personal life into my current practice and colleagues.... learned that one the hard way years ago.
Good to meet you all,
Sleepygrumpydopey