Help with fatigue, pain and headaches!!
arenae - Aug 8th, 2007 9:02 PM
[ Original Post ]

I am 28 years old, 5'4", 118 pounds. I have been diagnosed by a neurologist with tension headaches and vascular migraines. I have also been diagnosed by my internist with fatigue, depression, anxiety, TMJ, allergic rhinitis, COPD, GERD, and "overuse syndrome" (pertaining to my neck and back pain).

I have also been placed on Concerta for my fatigue, which is a stimulant medication for ADHD. If I didn't take that I could never stay awake. I am a medical transcriptionist and work at home and I have to take a few breaks during the day to lie down and nap.

My vision also gets cloudy sometimes. I was evaluated with a cystoscopy for recurrent UTIs and for large amounts of blood in my urine seen on all of my urinalyses for the past 2 years. I am chronically constipated, but certain things cause me to have diarrhea; I am never "normal".

I have recently started having a problem with itching. It is only on my arms and goes from my wrists to my shoulders on both sides. I scratch until I bleed, and now I have scars. I have been given a Kenalog injection and triamcinolone cream. In addition, I already take Singulair and Zyrtec for allergies and inhalers for my COPD. I only had an itch but no visible rash. Now I have red spots, which I think is infection from where I have cut my skin from scratching so much. It has been going on for 2 months, and I can barely work or function in any aspect of my life. No doctor seems to know what is wrong with me.

I have searched diligently and when I came across fibromyalgia, which I have heard of but did not know much about, I realized that there are SO MANY things that make me believe that I have this.

I hurt terribly in my upper back, shoulders, neck and head. I have daily headaches and migraines every few weeks.

Does anyone believe that this might be what I have? If so, what should I do and how can I treat this? I have a 5-year-old son and I feel like a horrible mother because I am always in pain or tired! Please help!

Comment


 

Goji Girl - Aug 9th, 2007 7:00 PM

Wow, it seems that you have a lot on your plate. I think you should go see a good doctor, to see if you have fibromyalgia. It took doctor's years to finally diagnose me. I also have many other problems such as bipolar, anxiety attacks, & migraines.
And I am only 29 years old. I know how it is to be so tired, & hurt so bad. I have been put on EVERY medication from morphin to oxycodone, but I had to finally realize that for myself, they were causing me more harm than good. I used to have severe constipation, which goes along with the disease, but many medications can cause it as well. I was fortunate enough to find an all natural product, that really works for me. I can now sleep, & I have energy to last me throughout the day. But most importantly my pain is almost gone. I still have my bad days, but I can honestly say that I am finally back to the way I used to be...happy.
If I can help in any way, feel free to ask more questions.


eyewuvu - Sep 29th, 2007 11:12 PM

I have no idea whether you have fibro or not, it kind of sounds like it, but I'm no doctor. Have you see a rhuematologist to ask? Also, I don't know if it will help, but at least for me I checked this out and was able to rule it out as a cause for my fibro symptoms. www.chronicneurotoxins.com You take a questionnaire and then a $15.00 test.
I thought it was just a scam thing, but the more I learned about the guy and his organization I realized it wasn't. I did this test and I just got comfort that I was at least able to rule it out as a cause for my symptoms.




Robin1237 - Oct 4th, 2007 6:19 AM

Hi -- I have read the list of your symptoms, and I believe I know what's wrong -- this is Lyme disease, a bacterial infection usually obtained when bitten by an infected tick. The bacteria inflame nerves and soft tissues. Go read up on it at www.lymenet.org/FlashDiscussion/MedicalQuestions. Peolpe there can discuss it all with you, and help you find a Lyme testing and treating doctor. Any parent who is ill and has kids feels the way you do. There is a lot of family discussion on lymenet and a lot of support.


doll1966 - Oct 11th, 2007 10:13 AM

I've also been diagnosed with a lot of things you have, and never been able to have a dr put it all together, (probably because they weren't listening, just thinking I was complaining). It seems that I would be fine for months at a time, then things would start up again, sometimes the same problems, sometimes new things. I itch terribly on the bottom of my legs, and scratch constantly. Sometimes i couldn't fall asleep because the itching was driving me crazy. My fibro started in my left shoulder over 20 years ago, I'm now 40. It has progressed to every area of my body. I saw all different types of specialists, but never a rheumotologist, until 6 weeks ago. He diagnosed me with fibro. Of course it's not that simple. I've had several mri's of my brain over the years, to rule out MS, nerve tests, blood tests, x-rays, etc. The rheumotologist was the first to actually listen to all of my diagnosed ailments, wrote everything down, and did a thorough exam. I had already suspected fibro from doing a lot of research. Unfortunately, he doesn't treat it, so I have an appt with a new rhemuo on 10/30. For now I take Lyrica, that was just approved in June for treatment of fibro. I also take an anti-depressant, clonipan to help me sleep, and vicodin. Maybe it's helping a little, but not enough. I just try to stay busy to keep distracted, and not give in to this. I also have 2 kids, and I'm always feeling bad because sometimes I snap at them due to the pain. It's very difficult to deal with them sometimes. I know that guilt, but you're not at fault, you have a lot going on. Hang in there, and know that there are so many others with the same feelings.