new- I think :)

[Guest guest]

Hi Group,

I don't remember if I've posted before- duh- but been reading this

list for some time.

I'm , 48, 2 kids, husband, cat and dog. I was given a DX of

fibro at the end of August by the second rheumatologist I've been

to . I had quite a bout of polymyositis years ago, when I was

21/22/23. The diagnosis was definitive and I was in a teaching,

research hospital in Albany, NY. I did go into remission- a LONG

remission, for most of what I'd say 24 years. Had no problems and was

pretty healthy. I've also been a very regualr exerciser and never

been overweight, except on the prednisone for the myositis way back

then.

To try to make a long story shorter, almost 2 years ago I began

having some symptoms- my long walks wree becoming harder to do, less

stamina, more fatigue, and severe hip pain at times. Later I

developed a bad case of sciatica which stayed with me a long time.

Had MRIs of neck and lower back and some protruding discs were found.

I had no injuries or trauma to cause this. My symptoms reminded me so

much of the polymyositis, I was certain it had recurred. Up to this

point, all my blood tests have been normal, except for a slightly

positive ANA test. I was given Vioxx, which really helped me,

especially in the beginning when I'd have excrutiating pain in back

and hips. Since August, I've been trying this med, and that med. I've

kept up with exercising- some days I can do it quite well, sometimes

I can only keep it up for a few minutes. I have been checked for

tender points, but really don't seem to have any. Perhaps one, just

not sure. I seem to go into flares now and then, and get better.

Sometimes I'll feel quite well for a few days or a week or so- then I

start sliding back. I tend to feel my best in the morning, after a

night's sleep, and my worst as the day wears on. Certain muscles are

not what they used to be, even though I use light weights. At

present, I am trying Zoloft, 25 mg, Trazadone and Ambien in the

evening. I tried amitryptiline, and it did help with sleep and

possibly some pain, but I did not like the side effects. When I hae

pain, it seems to be in my joints, not my muscles per se, though once

in a while I do get some muscle pain- but mostly it's a rather

different feeling I can't describe. I still feel it may be the

polymyositis more than fibro, but I'm here trying to sort things out

as best I can. I don't work outside the home, which is somewhat of a

blessing- although I sure could use some income! Thanks for

listening! in New York State