Re: To K2 from Jen Z.-me again!

[Guest guest]

K2 (god I love that!),

I'm glad you found my letter encouraging. I know that finding time

to see a doctor when you are working is a big factor, but

unfortunately, if you don't find or make that time, the problems are

only going to escalate.

I tend to get shy around new doctors as well, but with my 3 main

doctors-PCP, pain doctor, and psychiatrist, I am very comfortable.

They are all part of " team Jen " , and all communicate with eachother

so I don't have to try to remember to relay a bunch of information,

and they all work together to keep me going. And I don't feel like

a " professional patient " either. I only see them periodically too.

But let me put it this way.

Fortunately, there are a lot of things you can do on you own to help

improve your condition. Only part of the management of Fibromyalgia

comes from seeing your doctor. I'm at the point now where I only see

mine " as needed " . It's only in the beginning, when you are finding

out what treatments work for work or don't work for you that you will

have to see them so much.

When you know you are going to see the doctor, make a list of

symptoms, questions, etc., that you want to cover. No good doctor

should ever see this in a negative light. For one, those of us with

Fibromyalgia often forget things (Fibrofog), and a LOT of people tend

to get nervous the minute they are in front of the doctor and go

blank.

As for explaining to people at work, well, that's a whole other

ballgame. Yes, K2 CAN be and IS sick, with an illness that is just

going to get worse if she doesn't slow down. Is it possible for you

to be able to hire an assistant, even for part of the day, and simply

say " My workload just keeps increasing! " And let me ask you

this...if you thought you has something like MS or diabetes, or

something like that, would you react the same? My doctor asked me

that question when I was diagnosed, and refused to give up my

then " normal " lifestyle. I went through 4 years of getting worse

because of my job, as a lot of people here can attest, only to lose

my job in the end because it made me so sick.

I do understand what you mean about having an actual diagnosis in

hand, so it doesn't sound weird at all. I had no explanation for why

I hurt all over, or why I just couldn't hold my eyes open, and when I

was finally offically diagnosed with Fibro, it felt like a

vindication of sorts, relief and fear at the same time. All of a

sudden, you were ALLOWED to be different. There is something going

on with you Kathy, you just need that documentation to allow yourself

to admit it. And no, Fibro doesn't always have to do with age. I

know several people who have it who are younger. One was born with

it, and the other developed it at around 16.

As for your boyfriend, even though he's a Type-A as well, he's going

to have to learn to understand. Your rest breaks don't have to

include him, and you need to let him know that stress increases pain

levels and the incidence of flares. As your boyfriend, rather than

your boss, he needs to understand how much support you need right

now. Type-A's are very prone to Fibro.

There are some really great books out there that I can suggest you

buy, but I'm by far preferential to one. It's very comprehensive,

and was written by a physical medicine doctor who has treated over

15,000 Fibro patients, and who has Fibro himself. After YOU read it,

I suggest that you show it to your doctor. It's by Dr. Mark J.

Pellegrino, and it's called " Fibromyalgia: Up Close and Personal " .

He covers every single topic in this book. Diet, exercise,

medications, relationships, talking to your doctor, work, and yes,

even intimacy. It's a very comprehensive and informative book.

He also explains that Fibromyalgia is a REAL illness, that it's been

given an ICD-9 code by the World Health Organization (illnesses don't

get a code if they aren't REAL!), and that it's recogized by Worker's

Comp, Social Security, the AMA, etc. It's a very extensive list, and

I loaned my book out, but I believe the diagnostic code is 729.1.

I hate to see you living with " what is " , because I know what is down

the road if you don't get treatment. Even with treatment, my pain

and fatigue got worse because I kept working at a factory where I was

exposed daily to toxins and very heavy lifting. Now, not only do I

have Fibromyalgia, but very painful arthritis in my spine and

sacroiliac joints as well.

If you would like to talk offline about different, alternative

therapies for Fibromyalgia, I would love to talk with you. I will

also share with you just HOW I came about developing Fibro, and why I

lean a lot towards alternative medicine a lot.

Have a great day,

Jen

[Guest guest]

Wow Jen, thank you again! Ok, so the reason I use K2 is because my

first name is Kathy and there are about 100 other Kathys in my life,

everywhere I turn. It started at work as a computer-name " kathy2 "

and then people shortened it to " k2 " and it stuck. Now, everyone

calls me that!

My new PCP said, and I quote, " I don't have to see you for a while "

(after prescribing Trazodone). So, I guess it's sort of the same as

what you described with your team.

I don't have a team, yet, but I'm sure this woman is competent and will steer me

towards the right people -- for one, I want to see a new rheumy and a

neurologist. I should be doing that within the next few weeks.

I have planted the seed about getting an assistant, and I will

probably do that. There's a whole reluctancy thing that gets in the

way because at work I supervise 40 people and the thought of " yet-

another personality " makes me almost physicall ILL! lol!

It's one of the greatest stressors, dealing with personalities. I'm a real

behind-the-scenes kind of gal, but have been thrust into the

leadership role. Thankfully, my step-son who is only 28 has been

promoted to VP of Sales and that's the biggest department so now HE

is dealing with all of THEM lol.

It's taken a huge weight off of me. He has also implemented computer systems

enabling me to work at home. He and his Dad understand what I'm going through,

and they are trying to help as best as they can.

Funny you mention MS, because I have often wondered if I have MS -- I

get a lot of dizziness and coordination problems and neuralgic

symptoms. And yes, if I did have MS, I would insist on enjoying life

instead of working all the time!

I have read every book on FM and never heard of the one you

recommended. I have to go out right away and get it!!!

I've heard of the code system -- and in fact I got mad because my dr used the

INSOMNIA code on my most recent blood test.

I hit the roof. Then someone explained that she did that so insurance would

cover it. Aye carumba!

Yes, I'd like to email off-group. I'll be in touch!

K2