Knowles
New member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2016
- Messages
- 8
- Reason
- DX FIBRO
- Diagnosis
- 02/2014
- Country
- US
- State
- WI
I have read so many threads and can relate to so much. It is apparent that we all have so much in common yet our experiences can be so personal. It is great to have such a forum, if not to seek out help but to know that we are not alone in our daily struggles. I wish everyone could have a rheumatologist like I have. I live in constant pain, like so may of you. You can't just will it away. And fibro can be the source of so many other miseries that we have to cope with. My rheumatologist is always urging me to get more exercise. Specifically, cardio exercise. During my examination she tested me for flexibility in all aspects and I have barely any. I also have ankylosing spondylitis, not a good thing. I am on medication which includes methylphenidate (Ritalin) to help with the dreaded fatigue that many if not all of us deal with every day. The constant firing of pain signals from our body is a constant drag on our brain. I hate taking this drug but it gets me through the day. Before taking it I couldn't drive 20 miles without having to pull over to the side of the road because of the terrible fatigue. I also take an anti-depressant. I'm not sure if it is for depression or if it helps regulate the chemicals in my brain that are constantly out of whack. I once saw a doctor at Mayo clinic in Rochester, MN. His diagnosis of me was that I was just depressed. I expected more from a health clinic with the reputation of being one of the finest in the world. It wasn't the clinic it was the doctor. In any case the doctor gave me a prostrate exam, prescription for depression, and sent me on my way. Before I left the examination room I told him that depression is a lot like dandelions, everyone has some and that's OK. Another drug I take is gabapentin. I didn't think it was working until my rheumatologist re-structured how I would be taking it. Unbelievable what a positive change that made. I also take diclofenac sodium for the anklosing spondylitis. That helps with slowing or stopping the progression. I see my rheumatologist for every six months - so important. She has always been available by phone and email and it is not uncommon for her to return my call in the evening while I'm at home and she is still working. During my last visit she adjusted all of my medicine and it is amazing how tweaking things like that can help. It's like tuning a radio signal. As I said, she is adamant about the right kind of exercise and she is so gentle and caring in her encouragement to me. I live in Wisconsin so our winters here can be very harsh. Like many of you, changes in weather and extreme temperatures both ways cause tremendous havoc. When there is a change in the barometric pressure it flattens me. I cannot go to work because I cannot function, have no energy and the drugs don't work. To bed I go for a day or two. Although we have 24 hour gym and fitness centers where I live, I am not likely to go out to exercise. It often takes all my strength just to get out of bed in the morning. So, with my doctor's encouragement, I purchased an exercise machine for my home. In fact it should arrive sometime this week. I am willing to try most anything to improve my health. I have researched diets for people with fibro and do my best to make those changes. My doctor understands the struggle that many of us have with physical activity. She is so confident that my health will improve with the right kind of exercise. I have put my trust in her abilities and experience as a physician. She even says that it is quite possible for me to reduce or eliminate some of the drugs that I am on through the effects of exercise. I pray to God that someday there will be some breakthroughs in the field of medicine that can helps us. It is really hard to understand what is going on with our bodies and there are very few answers.
God bless each and everyone of you.
God bless each and everyone of you.