I was diagnosed with fibro but the rib pain, front and back
Posted By: Rib issues on 2009-06-21
In Reply to: Costochondritis - curious girl
started 2 years ago when I got back from vacation and has been there off and on since. Sometimes horrible pain, sometimes just there but never completely gone. I went for 1 acupuncture but it is $70.00 out of pocket for each treatment, insurance does not pay so instead I am doing the 70% chocolate, 2 pieces a day because read that might help because of the antioxidants and flavinoids. As long as I am not touched anywhere around the ribs do pretty good. Have tried the chocolate for a week now, cancelling doctor appointment this Tuesday and will see if that holds the pain. The chocolate lot less costly than the treatments. I have found absolutely no assistance with any physician I have gone to, none including pain specialists, rheumatologists, ortho, etc. I sometimes have extreme fatigue, can lie down for a while and it seems to go away. I have hurt all over with the fibro but now my pain issues are the ribs (oh, forgot about the feet but too long story on that). Did your physician give you anything for the costo? I do not take anything for the fibro nor the costo. I had to dust my fatcat today and I thought she weighed a lot, she is only 20 but still had to pick her behind up and put her in the bathtub.
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I have been diagnosed with fibro but
I have fatigue sometimes and don’t know if from that or from the hypothyroidism that I have, double duty so to speak. I have appointment this week to see what exactly is happening with me. Terrible, terrible pain for days on end- thought fibro, now not sure. I have some hydrocodone and take 1/2 pill of that when severe pain with fibro, supposed to start rehab for mild exercises but too much pain involved now with ?? I had a boss 1 time and she said she started exercising and that was the only thing that helped her. I just have had some setbacks to where I have not been able to start yet (including shingles!!). Hurt so much with the fibro and think the shingles started because of that. I can sleep at night, no problem there but some mornings unable to stay in bed because of hurting. I will give a follow up when I visit my physician this week and see what he has to say about if this is fibro, what does he think is problem, things you might do for fibro, etc.
I have been diagnosed with fibro about 9 SM
years ago. You mention the pain is in your ribs. When I was diagnosed that was not one of the key points, of which there are many. I have pain all over, really. I have very much pain in my neck, wrists, elbows, shoulders, lower back, etc. I have terrible burning and pain in my muscles in my arms and legs as well. I have advanced osteoarthritis and chronic fatigue, which can also accompany fibromyalgia, as I am sure you know. Symptoms can certainly vary from one patient to another. I wish you luck and success in your efforts to control pain. I wish I had the answer for everyone suffering daily with chronic pain.
I have been diagnosed wth fibro about 10 years ago SM
and know what you are going through. I read somewhere that it is impossible do describe the pain, and that is how I feel. It is a gnawing, pulling, burning, aching, fatigue all the time. No one has helped, and what meds I have tried gave too many other bad side effects, stomach upset, etc.
Hope you aren't diagnosed with fibro
because no one believes you anyway. I had heard about before, did not know really much about, if I typed on it paid no attention, diagnosed in 2004 and not having fun yet. This is so far uncontrollable for me-mine might have been better controlled if diagnosed with rheumatism- I would suppose rheumatism feels a lot better than being over the entire body.
My mother was diagnosed back in her 40's..
Hers came on after a stressful injury, as I've read this tends to come on after a very stressful situation, injury, or illness, and she got progressively worse. She hurt all over, was so tired she could barely move, was trying to work while this was going on and it was about to make her crazy. There would be days she would cry she hurt so bad all over and then would fall asleep into exhaustion. This did go on for several years and then began going away little by little. She just has a flare now and then, but mostly under stressful situations. My doctor did tell her that she should continue to exercise, force herself to do what she can, and then she definitely needed to rest, get enough sleep, eat a proper diet. He said there could be a day or two flare, weeks of a flare, or years, as in her case.
To answer your question, she did get much better and doesn't hurt all over all the time. She was just so tired she couldn't function, which I had never seen in her before.
I studied the disease back in 98 when diagnosed
and thank goodness for the web!!! I continually get educated all the time from being online. I love it. Glad you're feeling well!!!! Attitude has much to do with it.....
My cocker spaniel rides in the back seat and gets in front when we stop (sm)
In her mind this usually relates to getting a small dish of ice cream from the Dairy B or a chance to get out and go visit friends, i.e. her "grandma" and her groomer.
I have always made her ride in the back because I am afraid she will start moving around and get near the foot pedals and cause a wreck.
Certainly will not let her ride in the front when the vehicle is moving after this.
Back Pain
I've had back pain radiating all the way down my leg to my foot for about three months now. I have no insurance, but I'm going to a physiatrist next week to get maybe exercises or something that will help. In the meantime, this web site has a really interesting article on desk chairs and back pain, and I'm sure this is what it's all about. Hope it helps you - It sure explained some things to me!
www.easyvigour.net.nz/fitness/h_Sciatic_Cda_E...
back pain
I had this problem so bad 3 yrs. ago that I saw a chiropractor. Actually had to have help putting my socks and shoes on. Chir. told me that my pelvis had shifted from sitting for so many years, too long at one stretch, etc. Of course, he recommended long-term tx, then maintenance adjustments. I went until the acute phase was better, then had to quit because of time and money. He did suggest using ice 20min.on/20min.off. That did help. Also, if you can do some stretching exercises a couple times a day, even for just a couple of minutes by your desk will help. I still have problems, but not nearly as severe. Good luck!
If you suffer from lower back pain
or arthritis like me, you may want to try the SALONPAS pain relieving patch. Works great! Relatively inexpensive. Comes in different sizes. Right before it rains, I often get horrible arthritis related lower back pain problems. I put on the patch and I am able to type almost pain free. If you can not find it in your local pharmacy, your may want to look it up online. Made by Hisamitsu Parmaceutical Co. Best patch/pain reliever I have tried.
Pain down back of right calf when working (sm)
Does anyone else get this? I never had it in the past, never had an carpal tunnel issues, but for a month or so, only when working, I get a pain right down the middle of the back of my calf in just a short strip, about an inch or two under the back of my knee spreading down a few inches, and if I get up and move around it goes away temporarily. Anyone ever had that or know what it is?
Anyone else get low back pain from sitting at the computer all day. Any
suggestions to help this.
Chronic back pain, AKA, just keep me in drugs so I can be ..
in a stupor and maybe get disability or at least a handicapped sticker for my car.
pain and not wanting pain is understandable cuz of medical reason
I mean come on, when he has pain somewhere, does he not want to do something? Seriously, is this a true medical pain problem? If it is, then anyone could understand.
Sorry...should be paint store not pain (maybe pain...hehe)
X
no, was diagnosed 8 yrs ago but have had...
I have had it since my 20s, I remember my LFTs were crazy then, they had no test for this in the 70s-80s. I didn't KNOW I had it. My husband had it (ex) and he was tested in 1992 and many friends had it and all told me to get tested, but I felt/feel like a million bucks so I laughed them off or poo-pooed the issue
In 1998 I decided ok - get tested and my case was so mild that it looked like I was only a *carrier* but on further testing I had it. Last year I went to that GREAT specialist (who really specializes in C and is an older MD-I like that, not *green*) who confirmed my suspicions. My tests are excellent and for decades now, I take care of myself.....and I don't eat raw fish...(my ex did and still does and another MD told me he's nuts to do so), and I will NOT die from it - because I have had it forever....
I also read that online years back......that if you've had it for 30-40 years and doing great, you'll die from something else......but if one continues to drink and drug - well, then, you will die from the disease.
My dad has been diagnosed with
a bacterial infection that is very rare. The word sounds like Narcartia but I am not able to find anything on this bacterial infection so I'm probably spelling it wrong. Does any one have any suggestions or know where I can go to get this info?
He became very sick, had a couple of episodes of losing his sight. When I found out about it (a week later) and he went to the ER, the initial diagnosis was spinal meningitis. This diagnosis eventually "evaporated" for the lack of a better word. CT scan revealed a lesion on the brain. This was not able to be identified. Brain surgery ensued and this biopsy was sent across the nation to multiple labs. One lab finally made an association with "agriculture, ground, farming." About six weeks ago, my dad had spread chicken manure on his garden. What complicates the matter is that he has arthritis and is on Remicade with a depleted immune system. This is probably why this affected him. They are treating him with an antibiotic IV every six hours around the clock. There is only one antibiotic that will treat this bacterial infection. This is making him very sick. The antibiotic does contain sulfa and I don't know that he is allergic to that but I have heard that sulfa medications can make some people very sick.
One other note to help in getting info on this. This must be something that is sometimes seen in AIDS patients because of the depleted immune system. I have tried to Google it in conjunction with AIDS and still cannot come up with info.
That's the story and any info that anyone can help me with would be appreciated!
They are probably diagnosed with
lung cancer because either they had it when they quit or because they are susceptible to it because of the smoking. My dad quit and died 2 years later. Either way something is going to get you. When it is your time, it is your time--that has always been my philosophy.
Fibro
I got it 14 years now. Other than the lack of sleep the ebbs and flows are just sooo much fun. I take doxepin to help sleep through the night, just put me on Zoloft to take the edge off the pain that the Percocet I live off of doesn't handle anymore. At one point I went to a pain clinic and got steroid shots right in the base of the skull and all the way down my neck and shoulders, hurt like a you know what but got me over the flare and didn't get another good flare for another 5 years. They also had me on doxepin then, Paxil, ibuprofen, baclofen, and one other which I can't for the life of me remember. Oh yea it messes with your memory also. Watch your sugar intake very bad for fibro sufferers. I sit here on a heating pad all day or my back just kills me
I have fibro...
but my back doesn't hurt; however, I am sore around the bottom part of my ribs like if my 6-year-old tries to hug me and then at times when I have a flare - it seems as if my legs get really weak feeling (like jello) and then the next day they will feel sore and bruised like especially my butt; so I would think that possibly you could be having some lingering pain. Do you see a rheumatologist regularly? If so you might call and inquire and if you've not seen one in a while maybe you need to have a workup to make sure it's nothing more serious! Hope you get to feeling better soon though!
Fibro
It sounds like costochondritis to me. Have you tried an anti-inflammatory? I have fibro and I am in constant pain. Get a good massage and put some heat on it and see if that helps. Hope so. Fibro is diagnosed with several different trigger point areas. Best of luck and hope it goes away and soon!
I wonder if this is really fibro or?
I had a flare here for about a month and things seem to have become fairly quiet but now I have really bad pain in my back section including the ribs. I had some benign cysts on my kidneys and have had a follow up on those twice. Being as this is back and the pain, I just wonder if others go through this same, flare and then maybe the back continues to be sore, hurt??? Thanks
fibro
What meds help you?
Fibro
Hi,
I would try amitriptyline or Doxepin. Also avoid all sugar because you probably have yeast overgrowth like I do. I also drink Reliv products, Classic, Innergize and Fibrestore. You can check out their info at Reliv.com. A friend of mine could stop her meds after the fibro. Drink lots of water too. You might check out the guiafenesin protocol. This works for some people.
Hope all this helps.
Fibro
Sorry I meant stop her meds after the Reliv. Fibro fog here. I also have cervical spine problems with surgery so I have a double wammy. The best thing is good vitamins, lots of magnesium for the muscles. A rheumatologist can diagnose and help you. Sometimes they give Ultram too which helps.
Not Pam but have fibro too
Hey, I have extremely bad fibro too, have for the last 10 or more years. Well, at least they say it's fibro, but it doesn't come and go. The pain is always extremely bad and never ever goes away. I have days when I can barely walk or get up out of bed along with very limited activities. I can no longer do at least 50% of the things I used to do even simple house cleaning.
I went through an enormous amount of testing and saw multiple doctors who gave me worthless medications that did nothing or just made me more sick and brushed me off. Like in your post you said they are giving you a Medrol Dosepak? Why on earth would they give you that? Fibro is not an inflammatory condition and steroids will not do anything unless you have other comorbid conditions such as arthritis, lupus, etc. Steroids cause all sorts of damage to your body, and if they are not helping you or you don't have other conditions, I absolutely would not take them. Another thing they like to do is put you on NSAIDs. Again, these do absolutely nothing for the fibro and can do irreversible damage to your GI system, kidneys, etc.
The only way I can live and function to do absolutely anything is because I am on daily narcotic pain medications. It took me a long time and several physicians to finally be referred to a pain management clinic that would actually help me. It is inconvenient due to the ridiculous laws in this state regarding chronic pain patients, as I have to go once every month, but again, that's the only way I can function. So, I would definitely suggest you see a pain management specialist or a pain clinic. Regardless of what some of these ignorant doctors say, you don't have to "live with the pain," or take numerous expensive medications that just do more damage than good. It may take a while depending on where you live to find a knowledgable pain management doctor with compassion and you may have to go to several different ones until you find the right fit, but eventually hopefully you can find one. It can be very discouraging at times when you are in agony and doctor after doctor won't help you, but just don't take no for an answer. You deserve not to live a life full of pain.
Good luck to you. I really hope you find something that can provide you with some relief.
To Fibro Too
Well, got to tell you, the shot I was given last night worked like a charm. No pain today for the first time since December. I have not picked up nor started the Dosepak but I feel 100% better. I do not have arthritis and I do not have lupus but right now I would about swear on these shots. Since the pain has eased up, now maybe I can get into some kind of exercise program because I hear that really helps, could not do that before, too much pain all over. I was told the shots not to be taken on a regular basis and understand that but on my vacation this summer you better believe I will have 1 before I leave.
Fibro - here's what I did
ok - this sounds ridiculous, but I did get a bit of results from it - enough to put on a pair of shorts in the summer. I, too, have fibro and had to stop my normal exercises (I now do pilates on a machine). I had my kids roll my legs every night with my grandmother's rolling pin. Now I don't know if this worked because it was my grandmother's rolling pin or if just any wooden or marble pin would do - it was a bit painful in the beginning, but I got used to it. They did start charging me .50 a night to do this - but we got some good laughs and my legs are okay. I would like to know what to do about my saggy knees now -
I have fibro, too.
Believe me, I feel your pain, literally. I have been misunderstood more times than I care to mention, even by family. Sometimes people think they know better than I how I feel. I have lived with this for several years, and I know what I am feeling and talking about. Actually I have always felt we have a great responsibility regarding our body and state of health; that is, to report what is going on, and most importantly to give the best history possible to our physicians. Sadly, this is still a diagnosis that is misunderstood and even questioned by some health professionals. My friend's husband looks at me every now and then and makes me go through the whole thing again after he asks me with doubt in his eye
NOW, WHAT DID YOU SAY WAS WRONG WITH YOU AGAIN?
I truly do know your frustration.
Fibro, all over
Pain every day, horrific some, tired of trying to fend for myself, no help from other physicians I have seen.
Anyone diagnosed with shingles and if so
how long had you had before the diagnosis and have you had any complications from it, such as constant pain, etc. Thanks
Yes - i've been diagnosed
for many years now - just was not aware of this somatization disorder and its correlation with fibro and CFS. I would skip the rheumatology route and go straight to pain management - you will save yourself a lot of time and money. I live in a large metro area and have access to many very good doctors, but until I went to a pain management group of anesthesiologists, I never got any relief. My internist who I fired kept me on prednisone for 8 years and he actually got mad when I told him I was taking control and going to a PM specialist - that I was tired of him jerking me around and I resented having bought his car and put his kids through private school because of his inability or unwillingness to treat my pain issues. Yes, I am on narcotics - don't let that deter you - they work and not everyone that takes them becomes an addict. My life has been much better since I have been out of pain and am mostly bothered now only by the CFS - which no one has found anything really to help that. I sleep a lot and have learned my limits - I would just really hate for you to waste your time with a rheumatologist - they are for people with arthritis and inflammatory conditions. Fibro is not an inflammatory process and the rheumies don't offer any real treatment for what ails you.
Just reread your post - I would be interested to know what treatment the rheumie has planned for you -
Yes. I was diagnosed 10 years ago
with early stages of cervical cancer. Had a cone biopsy done which showed that the cancer did not spread or in situ. I decided to have a total abdominal hysterectomy, kept my ovaries, because I did not want to go back to the DR. every 3 months for testing and the chance that the cancer could return. No chemo or radiation. I was very lucky.
What makes you think you might have cancer?
Have to get those PAPs every year ladies. This is a very treatable disease.
Has she been formally diagnosed?
I get an outbreak on my nose every now and then, and the doctor prescribes Acyclovir. Don't know if it's the same when it's on the lips. Acyclovir works great, and you can use it either prophylactically and take it every day so you won't get any outbreaks, or you can use it when an outbreak is coming on and it's gone within a day or so, and it never has a chance to get bad. Again, I don't know if the lips are different than outbreaks on other body parts. My husband gets one on his leg and he takes Acyclovir too.
Anyone here diagnosed with Lupus?
I've been getting worse and worse physically and am in the process of being ruled out for all sort of stuff and this (Lupus) is one of them...some test came back positive but it's not definitive and I may have to see a specialist. I should really pay more attention but it's so hard to focus when a bazillion things are racing through your head while you're sitting nekkid freezing your hiney off on a paper-lined table.
So, yeah, anyone got this disease and, if so, how are you dealing with it? I'm just bummed out with the amount of pain and fatigue I have. I mean, I'm all crippled up and can't even sit here at my desk for more than an hour at a time anymore and chores that used to take 20 minutes or so now take up to 2 hours. I actually was so exhausted and in so much pain I curled up in a ball on my living room floor in front of the wood stove and slept for almost 2 hours before my husband found me and got me up on my feet. I'm only 35 and this just ain't right! Any advice is much appreciated.
While I've never been diagnosed with
lupus, I sometimes think I do, but when my rationale kicks in, I realize it is the wear and tear my body has taken over the past 40+ years, in addition to overwhelming perennial stress. Stress can cause lots of symtoms that mimic other diagnoses.
I do wish you the best and hope you get to the bottom of it and feel better. You are a delight to have on this Board.
she's been diagnosed as bipolar
of course, that's according to the press.
My dad is bipolar and has s/a and alcohol problem. I know how heart breaking that can be. It's like people who overeat. We all feel sorry for fat people but if you chose drugs then you are such a bad person but it's the same thing, really. A compulsion is a compulsion, no matter what you are taking into your body.
Diagnosed with this since the late 80s,
in fact I went in and told the doctor what to check for, had the classic symptoms, intense itching (waking me at night with urge to scratch), terrible coldness all the time, having to sit under blankets. Mine now has turned into Hashimoto's thyroiditis, I was told just a few months ago, thyroid totally gone. Now with the Synthroid, I told my physician did not want to take any more, loss of hair really bad, heard Synthroid noted for that. I asked and now on Armour thyroid and seems like loss is not as bad but still some. People on here have posted against Synthroid.
I was diagnosed 11 years ago and that along with SM
other physical conditions is why I cannot do a full day. I support myself and still have to do it without benefits, etc. I have tried different things for pain, but they either upset my stomach or were even taken off the market. I know exactly what you are going through. Sometimes I feel so bad I can't even put it into words. Good luck to you.
some people never get diagnosed at all because they
x
i was just diagnosed with diabetes
No insurance. Went to the doc yesterday to go over lab work I had done in November. My blood glucose was 127 (upper limit of normal being 126). I am 45 yeard old and overweight, but I never had this happen before. He then did a glucometer reading (after I had had three cups of coffee, each with two sugars, of which I was still sipping on as he took the reading). He then ordered new lab work as a recheck, but stated he had to put NIDDM as a diagnosis on the requisition form. I don't feel a diagnosis can be made that simply. What's really upsetting is the fact that he informed me that now since I had been diagnosed with NIDDM that I would probably never be able to get health insurance with a pre-existing condition such as this. I feel that through correct diet and exercise over the next few months I can easily lose ten or more pounds, and that this more than likely will change the status of my next lab values. I feel so very sad about this. What do I do??
CALLING ALL MTS WITH FIBRO!!!
Hi. I am looking for some helpful hints as to working with fibro and how others of you deal with the pain and fatige, etc. Thanks in advance.
Fibro meds
I was diagnosed in January of this year by a rheumatologist after having problems starting last August that began with a rash and my GP did a battery of tests - the rheumatologist started me on 1500 mg of Relafen (which has greatly diminished the tender areas like my hip areas), I also take 150 mg of Zoloft, 600 mg of neurontin, 50 mg of Tramadol every 4 hours as needed (which do me has not really helped the pain 100%, but it does lessen it a good bit) and I take a muscle relaxer at bedtime and sometimes during the time. These meds do not zap me and I feel more functional with them than before. I also take Halcion if I am unable to fall asleep, however, these days it seems that I am so exhausted that I have no problem sleeping as long as I am not hurting and the muscle relaxer at bedtime seems to help with that. Of course now that my inflammatory markers are at a near normal range I am walking 30 minutes a day and have begun stretching exercises 15 minutes in the morning, 15 minutes at night to help with the muscles. The rheumatologist has said that all of these will change as the fibro progresses and I age (I'm only 33) but he said if we stay on top of it it should be very tolerable for me from now on - I am thankful to my GP for the referral to this doctor because I have read of so many stories where the GP ignored the patient's complaints only putting them on powerful pain meds and not really getting to the source of the problem or telling them that there is nothing wrong or nothing they can do...I feel now that the pain is being managed, my biggest complaint is being tired at doing the simplest of things - like folding clothes - I feel that I need to rest after I do that - whereas before it was just a normal thing. My rheumatologist has stressed that sleep/rest is very important so he says when your body tells you to stop and rest - do it - whatever it is you have on your to do list can wait - otherwise you're gonna really feel bad and then nothing on your to do list will get done. I see my rheumatologist every 3 months right now and he says once I am doing okay on the meds and everything seems in check we'll go to every 6 months and then yearly until something goes out of whack and my treatment needs changing - he seems to really be on top of things.
What meds are you taking? Do you see a doctor on a regular basis?
I have fibro and think this is what is going on with the wrists...
As far as I know no carpal tunnel syndrome but my ribs are about to kill me today and I have noticed my arms, hands, fingers and the like giving me the blues. I have no pain at night, only when I lay my wrists down on my desk to type , they really hurt so bad and the elbows hurt and the arms, guess I am wearing out. If anyone else has similar problems, let me know. I took something for the fibro a little while ago and it seems to have stopped that really bad pain when I rest my wrists. Thanks
Anyone with fibro tried guaifenesin
and if so, did you get any good results? I read about this last night and want to give it a try, over the counter, no rx needed. I am so tired of being 1 big ache. Thanks!
I also have fibro, and CKD, so we might be more vulnerable.
But the episode I had made it hard to breathe. It felt like I had a band around my body from just under my breasts to just above the belly button and it was just tightened to the point where anything was painful...breathing, moving, sitting, lying down. It was just miserable, and it lasted for better than 6 months.
I had no treatment for it. I'm not sure if there is one or not.
Hope you don't have it...would not wish it on anyone!
What went away, fibro or rheumatism
NM
This is how my fibro figured out
I had not a clue when I went to the doctor, shoulders really hurting me, so sore and tender. Doc got me to lie on my stomach and started to palpate my spine. When you jump off the table with pain, then you have fibro.
I have wondered if I have fibro too...sm
I have been soo tired too. I know tiredness goes along with fibro so I wondered. I don't know.
My daughter was diagnosed with ADD in 2nd grade
We took her to 3 different doctors who did a bunch of different tests and all three said without a doubt she has ADD (without hyperactivity). So, we put her on medication. The medication made her VERY cranky and she was a holy terror to live with!!! So, we went back to the doctor and he switched her medication. This medication made her mood better, but her appetite was virtually nonexistant. My husband and I read every book and website we could find on ADD to see if we could help our daughter. We ended up taking her off the medication and changed her diet, making sure she eats every 2-3 hours. We eat pretty healthy anyway, but we really have to make sure that we don't let her eat too many carbs or junk. She also has to eat pretty frequently to keep her attention span up. It has been 2 years now and she is doing great at home and at school. She just started a new school this year and this teacher is excellent at letting the kids have a healthy snack during class so the kids stay focused all day long.
In other words, before you even think about medication, I would monitor his diet and make sure that he's eating healthy and then make sure he's eating every 2-3 hours (if possible at school) and see if this helps.
Adult ADD? Never diagnosed but wondering (sm)
So all my life I have been disorganized, first it was papers hanging out everywhere from my notebook, now it is everything in the world stuffed in my purse. My mind wanders all the time. I do transcription but flip back and fourth between here and my work and my e-mail and other things on the net that interest me. And i have to have background noise while I do all this. My house gets very cluttered and than I have to work like a maniac to get it cleaned up but still things are kind of in haphazard places, not really organized. I just always feel overly busy, overly tired, and behind on everything. So....could I have ADD? Or am I just too busy, bored with sitting in front of the computer, and disorganized??
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