Re: Diagnosis Question- SHANNAN

[Guest guest]

Hi Shannan,

Unforunately this condition ends up being a 'catch all' for some

doctors when they don't know what is going on and (let's face it) are

a bit 'lazy' or don't want to put the effort into assisting someone

they will go on to classify it as 'Fibromyalgia'. I may have people

thing poorly of me for saying this, but so be it.

You said you have back pain. My question to you is are there other

things that match up with FM? Do you have 'tender' spots that when

touched cause intense pain? If so, do these spots match up with the

FM (Fibromyalgia) locations? Did the doctor that diagnosed you with

FM give you a pamphlet of information or anything else that may be

useful to you and to help you adjust to this diagnosis, etc?

I had a hard time when first diagnosed because I was under the

impression that if I just figured out what caused my pain I could cure

it and get back to my highly active lifestyle. Also, since my pain

issues stemmed from a major car accident, I was under the impression

that my pain was related to the spinal/muscular injuries. When

diagnosed with FM I felt defeated (and I have the spirit of a warrior)

because there is no 'cure' and therefore no end to the pain I suffer

from.

Here's my list of FM related symptoms and why I think I was diagnosed

with FM. I have a sleep disorder (insomina and RLS, PLM). When I was

tested for trigger points, I had the majority of points relate to the

FM locations. I think I was diagnosed with FM due to the sleep

disorder, the tender points and due to the following symptomatic

conditions: forgetfulness, speech issues, dizziness, tremors, fatigue,

and severly allergic- hypersensitive to a huge amount of environmental

and medicinal things. I also have spinal injuries (C4, C5 and L5

herniated discs), unrepairable torn tendons in my neck, degenerative

spine and I have chronic DAILY migraines.

It took me over 3 years to get the diagnosis of FM and it went from

various diagnosis' even to that of 'its in my head'. It was very

stressful as I was 26 when I first became sick. I am currently

undergoing alternative forms of treatment and lifestyle changes to

accept my pain and try and make my life the best that I can, as it is

now- not as it was five years ago (that thought is the toughest to

accept at this stage in my healing). For me, its better if I don't

focus so much on the diagnosis as I focus on making progress in

regaining as much health and happiness as I can. Having the support

of friends, family and doctors make a world of difference. Getting to

a place where you can obtain this type of support may be a challenge-

it certainly was for me!

Best of luck to you and I hope my response was helpful

>

> I saw a rheumotoligist a while back. He said I didn't have arthritis

but gave me a rx for neurontin since the generic neurontin wasn't as

effective as the name brand for my back pain which hadn't been

pinpointed as of yet.

>

> I've bounced around from dr to dr, mostly getting a ton of 'I don't

know's and a sprinkling of 'it's in your head' for my pains which

mostly are in my back. I do have a compressed disc and an extra

vertebrae in my back (right next to each other), but no one seems to

think that those two issues would be causing any of my pain. (I have

extreme pain in my upper back, and 2 different types of pain in my

lower back in 2 different areas that really cause me a lot of pain in

day to day activities and prevent me from doing a whole lot of stuff).

>

> I've been in physical therapy through the years using up my

insurance benefits each year and my chiropractic benefits too. A few

chriopractors and different physical therapists have said 'maybe you

have fibromyalgia'... but that's as far as it went.

>

> A few weeks ago, I went to a pain management dr for my continuing

back pain that I haven't been able to control. Within about 2 minutes

(after looking @ my xrays, mri,etc.) and poking me in a few places

and me screaming as she poked me, she said I have fibromyalgia.

>

> I've been reading the posts here for about 3 weeks now (and 2

different books). And some of the posts I can relate to, and others I

can't... so I'm still torn as to if I have this or not! The

rheumatologist I saw (which I noticed a lot of folks on this list see)

didn't mention FM to me at all although he did tell me he wanted to

see me once a year but I never went back since I he said I wasn't

arthritic.

>

> Did anyone else kind of struggle with the diagnosis? I'm not opposed

to it - if I have it, I have it - but just some of the symptoms just

don't seem to fit me. I'm learning that everyone is different but if

everyone is different, how do you really know if you have it!??!!!

>

> Gosh, I hope this made sense! I just want to stop hurting and don't

want to be barking up the wrong tree. I'm tired of getting my hopes

up - only to have continued pain after trying differnet meds,

different drs, etc. I've been struggling with this for nearly 6 years

and I'm tired. =-(

>

> Anyone have any words of wisdom or suggestions?

>

> Shannan

>