gshochet - introduction

[Guest guest]

Just a quick intro, and thanks to those who welcomed me to the group,

and to everyone else as well:

My name is Gail, and I will turn 37 on Sunday. About three years ago

I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, and a year and a half later--after

multiple courses of various antibiotics and a lot of ups and downs--I

was also diagnosed with Babesiosis. Babesiosis is a parasitic

infection which has a lot in common with malaria; it can be contracted

from a deer tick bite just like Lyme. I was treated with antimalarial

drugs for that, and then again with another course of antibiotics. I

did get much better, but then I got much, much worse.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago and now my doctor believes that I no

longer have Lyme, but that I now have fibromyalgia. I did some

research and it appears to be the case that 10-20% of folks who get

Lyme develop fibromyalgia later on...? Sure enough, my symptoms do

seem to fit the pattern, but it's hard to tell where the Lyme symptoms

ended and the fibro began.

I have an appointment on Monday with a new rheumatologist--recommended

by a former coworker who also has fibro--to get a second opinion. I

will be of course upset if he decides that I do have fibro, but it

will at least mean that there is something real that can be addressed.

As you all know it is very difficult to cope with these diseases

where you look fine and can function some of the time, but other times

cannot function at all.

If any of you have any suggestions as to what to ask the

rheumatologist, I would be grateful. I asked my husband to come with

me as I find meeting with a new doctor to be very stressful and my

mind is foggy and my short-term memory imperfect at best. I want to

talk to him about pain management as I take Aleve as if it were candy

and it's giving me stomach pains; also about getting better-quality

sleep as I wake up often and have trouble going to sleep because of

the pain.

I am so tired and I hurt all the time; I am trying to keep my spirits

up but it is very discouraging to have gone from very fit and well to

having the least little thing tire me out. I don't know if my husband

understands fully; I've always had health problems so I guess he's

used to it. As a matter of fact I have to wonder if, from my history,

I've actually had fibro for a very long time and it was the Lyme that

brought the symptoms front and center. It's difficult to know, but I

have always had trouble with low energy, trouble with persistent

infections, depression, and pain.

Anyhow, I've gone on long enough. I just wanted to say 'hello', and

thanks for letting me join the group.

Best regards,

Gail

[Guest guest]

Waving a BIG hello to GAIL.. sorry hun for all the stuff you are going through.. I too hope that you and the doctors can finally give you the answers you need to go on with a treatment program that will better suit you hun.. hugs.. good idea to bring along someone that is not in the FOG so to speak hugs you and again welcome

Huggles you lots

Sophia

[Guest guest]

Welcome Gail! You couldn't have found a better group to get

acquainted with.

Love and hugs,

Dawn

site mod

[Guest guest]

Hi Gail and Welcome to the group.. Also Happy Birthday a bit early.. I will also be 37 on Saturday.. I am Marie I am from Southern Illinois ( I always put So. as most people automaticaly think I am from Chicago not even close) I have had FMS. 4-5 years. but proble a lot longer than that.. Have had Depression most all my life. and anxiety.. I also have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. and IBS> Osteoauthritis as well as Rhumithoid Arthritis... I have done some research and I read somewhere cannot remeber where Fibro Fog. that Lyme Disease and Fibro is often misten for each other.. and some people who do have Lyme disease do end up with Fibro.. I am glad you found us.. and hope you like it here as much as I do.. Gentle Caring Hug's Marie Marie A. Roomsburg pretty_n_cute2002@... marieava@...