Fibro Flare Ups!

[Katie35801]

How long can Fibro flare ups last?

[Katie35801]

One of my favorite quotes is "Nobody will love and take care of you better than yourself". Ain't that the truth! :o)

[luckydzack1]

Thanks. But what I have learned out of all of this is do not take a I don't know for an answer from the doctors. If they don't know tell them to send you to someone who might know. They will leave you hanging in limbo forever if you don't speak up. I always figured the doc's know everything so if he doesn't know then nobody does. But that is not the case. There is someone out there that can find out what is wrong, you may just have to push for an answer.

[Katie35801]

Wow, I'm sorry you have had to go through the ringer and back with doctors misdiagnosing you!

[luckydzack1]

Sorry, I misunderstood, or read wrong. I thought you were only in pain for a few days. That is the problem with doc's you have to push them. I was first diagnosed 24 years ago with having lupus. Then I went to a lupus specialist & he just looked at me & said who told you you have lupus, because you don't have it. He didn't even touch me or run tests. So out I walked dump founded. Years later I was told that I had hepatitis, so I was very careful on what I did & all. Then I went back to another doc told him I had hepatitis, he ran tests & said no you don't,but are you in any pain. Which at the time I wasn't so I said no why? He said you have rheumatoid arthritis. So years later I moved to Ontario, went to a doc told her my problem she ran tests. Said you don't have rheumatoid arthritis but you have arthritis in your hips & shoulders. Which at the time, my hips & shoulders weren't acheing. It was my hands,elbows,back,legs. So she said sorry can't do anything for you. Well I was pissed. Changed doc's. This flare started in Oct. & progressively got worse to the point where I could barely walk. Went to the doc & demanded that he do something, because I couldn't live like this any longer. So he sent me to a rheumatologist that diagnosed me with FM. It got so bad that in Feb. my doc put me off of work. It has gotten a little better but I have to take morphine for the pain. So please go & see a doc. If you leave it or take I don't know from a doc, you may end up like me. Which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Hope I could help you some.

[Katie35801]

I hope I haven't given the impression my pain only last for a few days! I'm in pain daily, but my "flare ups" only last for about a week (thank goodness). And I've been having these symptoms for 10 years, but GP's always just say I have "anxiety/depression", none of them have ever mentioned Fibromyalgia! Amazing! And all my tests always come back within normal range, so they always pass it off as anxiety/depression and hand me Prozac.

[luckydzack1]

If you look into the FM they say that when they diagnose you you must have pain on all quadrines of your body. Left,right,upper,lower. And the symptoms last for 3 or more months. I would get a doc to check you out if it only lasts days it is probably something else. I am seeing a rheumatologist/internest, but the treatments he is giving are not working. I spoke to a woman at a pain management clinic & she said that the doc I am seeing is just lining his pockets as the injections he is giving me is for localized pain not FM pain. So I am going to ask him a few questions when I go seem him & take it from there. I would not try to self diagnose with something like this I would go see a doc somehow. Hope you feel better soon.

[Katie35801]

By reading a book on FM/CFS, I've learned I have even more symptoms than I knew of. And I've also learned I could be alot worse than I am. They really are sad diseases.

[PlateletGal]

Hi Katie ! Your symptoms do sound more like CFS symptoms. I would strongly recommend clicking on the "HEALTH PAGES" that will be found to the right top hand of your screen. I listed all of the diagnostic tests that can help your physicians get you diagnosed, although I would recommend going to a physician who knows both how to diagnose CFS (and exclude other possiibilties) and also treat you.

There is one test that apparently ALL CFS patients are failing... it is the 24 hour holter (heart) monitor test.

Best,

PlateletGal

[peggi54]

I have alot of the same symptoms that you have although the irregular periods don't apply as I am in menopause. I also have low back pain but I have a herniated disc and arthritis in my back so I am not sure if pain is from that . In addition...I also suffer from constant urination/cystitis. I am not in pain 24/7....like you.....there is no way of knowing when the pain will start.  Sometimes it may only be 7 or 8 days out of the month that I feel lousy and the other days I feel  normal. I  have been trying to pay extra attention to the small details and it may be only a coincidence but right before the pain comes I start to feel off...like a little weird and then the next day the pain will come. Don't know how to explain it really. I hate taking drugs (although I take wellbutrin&clonopin for anxiety/depression) and the LYRICA  is hopefully  temporary ....I just want to see if it would help and if Fibro is what I really have. I have been tested for Lyme disease,Lupus and R. arthritis....and tested negative. Any suggestions on any other tests that might be helpful? Thank-you for getting back to me....I hope you are having a pain-free day!

[Katie35801]

The longest amount of time I've had pain was 7 days strait. But mine is more like a roller coaster, I never know what day is going to be a "good" one. And I have a high pain tollerance (I've had 5 kids naturally), so I don't take anything for it even though there are times I want too! I've had numerous tests over the last 10 years, always coming out normal. The other symptoms I deal with are:
depression
anxiety
weakness or feeling weak
fatigue/tiredness
extremely achey/sore all over
severe lower back pain
irregular periods
weight gain
flu like feelings
mild blurry vision-not lasting long
IBS symptoms
ezcema/dry skin

[peggi54]

I have not been fomally diagnosed with Fibro yet either although the dr. put me on LYRICA two weeks ago. I have been suffering with pain on and off for years but like you the pain only lasts for 3 or 4 days . Well I was doing well until today....the pain has returned. The dr. said if the pain went away while taking the meds I would be diagnosed with Fibro. I was wondering what other things you suffer from? I also wonder if the pain is so short-lived is it Fibro after all ???

[Katie35801]

I am so sorry you have to live with all that pain, which seems far worse than my own! Do you see an internist? *hugs*

[luckydzack1]

I am sorry to hear that you have no insurance. I am from Canada where we have free health care. I couldn't imagine not having it. I also am covered from my work so I get a percentage of what I was making from work. I don't really like doc's either as I have been misdiagnosed so many times it isn't funny. I hate needles but am getting between 10-25 injections into my back all within a minute, which believe me doesn't tickle lol. They are not working & he tells me that the next time will be 3 times deeper. Which has put me in a panic mode. You have to go see a doc, if your flares are anything like mine there was nothing that a normal advil would even touch. I am on morphine now which dules the pain but does not take it away. Try and get to see a doc somewhere that can help you out.

[Katie35801]

I'm terrified of doctor's, hospitals, and have no insurance.........so I usually self-diagnose everything and treat it naturally. I'm on no meds. :( But I'm miserable most days.

[luckydzack1]

Sorry, but yes everyday. Some days are better than others. I was in extreme pain when I was working & only averaging 3-4 hours sleep a night. I did this from Oct. to Feb. until my doc  said thats it you are getting off of work. So I have been home since Feb. symptoms are not as bad but still bad. I have to take morphine for the pain & I am up to 200mg of amitriptoline to help me sleep which only helps about 4 out of 7 nights. The doc figures I have had it for about 24 years. Have been misdiagnosed for lupus,hepatitis, & rheumatoid arthritis. All those flares only lasted 3-4 months. But like I said this one just won't go away. Get your doc to send you to a rheumatologist as soon as possible. Hope you can get help soon.

[Katie35801]

Oh man, months?????? Well I haven't been formally diagnosed, but I'm certain I have it. I have ALL the symptoms and 14 out of 18 tender spots. Plus I've had tests for years and everything always comes back normal. But anyways...........my "flare up" has only been going on for 3 days.
So you actually suffer everyday???? Geeeeeez.

[luckydzack1]

I am not sure how long they last, but mine use to go 3-4 months. But this one started in Oct.07 & hasn't let up. So I am not sure anymore. How long has yours been.