well, here goes...I have been told that I have fibro..by a couple of dr.s....but now Im beginning to feel that its much more than that..I have the fear of something like MS or MD....let me start out with 15 years ago when this al started..I woke up one morning with a sore throat and fever...went straight to Dr..he perscribed anti biotics...and gave me a shot...the next day..I had a very sore tongue..the next day..I coulden't move..all my joints hurt so bad I could not even chew (jaws) or lift myself out of bed..My dr. did a lot of blood work ..looding for Rumetoid arth..to Lupus..everything was ok...it took weeks for me to stop hurting..but what did stay with me was the pain in my knees...with weakness..that was 15 years ago..now this past few months me knees have started really hurting me again..now along with it is this aching and tremmering of my lower legs and calves...if I work on the computer too long my hands and fingers are hurting..and I feel that I am going to have the same episode happen as before..I have chills..sore throat..(slight) no fever..along with all this I have hypoglycemia.hypo thyroid...and menapause..migraines..Im a total mess..
Iam 55 years old...and must admit to really going off my hypo diet..and have really eating all the wrong things..especially the suger and starch which I crave....all the time...I do not get any sleep...when I do..I up in a couple of hours looking for something sweet to eat...I tried taking magnesium..(calm) that it would help my legs...(I also have gotten such bad leg cramps, that its actually turns my foot inward..and I have actually passed out form the pain of these cramps)...Now you are going to tell me to get the a Reumitoligest (sorry about the bad spelling)..and yes I have made an appointment for this tuesday..but Im absolutely scared to death that I have MS..Lupus..MD...
Has anyone had anything as bad as this..and still have FM...
Thank you
Irish

hi there Irish,

I'm sorry you're going through such a rough time right now The Rheumatologist will be able to give you a definitive diagnosis. All of the symptoms you listed, including the hypoglycemia, migraines, hypothyroid, muscle pain, insomnia, anxiety, etc etc etc can all be part of the fibromyalgia picture. Do you have tender points as well?? Those are specific points over certain muscle areas which don't hurt until they are gently pressed, then the pain is very acute, like poking a bruise.

And yes, it is possible that you could have some other disease process going on in addition to the fibro. It sounds like you may have some arthritis in those knees, but then, I'm not a dr. It's good that you're seeing the specialist; I'm sure he or she will be able to answer your questions and ease your mind.

You need to educate yourself about fibro .. that will make ALL the difference in the world how you feel about things. I understand your anxiety perfectly .. when I was first diagnosed 11 years ago, my dr. knew next to nothing about it, except that I should be taking an antidepressant. Since then, there's been lots of research and some terrific books published .. I highly recommend that you get your hands on this book:

• Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual by Devin J. Starlanyl, Mary Ellen Copeland.

You might want to give your local library a call ... I'm sure they would have a copy that you could borrow.

Devin Starlanyl is a doctor, and also has fibro. Her website is filled with excellent information and resources. Have a look at this page especially:

• The FMS/CMP definition page (FMS is fibromyalgia syndrome; CMP is chronic myofascial pain)

And ... you really, really need to get the sugar-cravings under control. The dips and swings in blood sugar and insulin will make you feel way worse than you need to. Eat some protein when you have those midnight munchie attacks. Have a hard-boiled egg or piece of leftover chicken with a little mayonnaise.

Another thing is your sleep. Over 60% of fibromites have a sleep disorder (I do) .. and there are certain medications that can help. General sleeping pills aren't very helpful .. they're just a temporary solution. Starlanyl talks about this in her book, and on the website.

I hope the information is helpful to you, and I hope you have less pain today.

Doreen

Thank you soooo much Doreen...I needed someone to hear me out...and thank you also for the advice...
Irish

hi Irish,

Sometimes a sounding board is just what the dr. ordered I hope you're able to get your hands on that book I mentioned, or at least have a read through Dr. Starlanyl's website. She has posted links to more information too, which are very helpful. Having information and understanding is empowering -- it helps us cope, and helps to relieve that anxious, helpless feeling of not knowing what the heck is happening.

Keep us posted how you're doing, and what the Rheumatologist has to say.

Doreen