Minnesota Hi

[Kevin J Eads]

Hi, I'm Kevin from Minnesota. About 2 years ago, I fell from a ladder, and rolled over my neck. 1.5 weeks later, I had abdomen pain. Er, Mri- found a tear in my celiac artery. I was down for about 2 weeks without surgery, but I given thinners and bed rest. Migraines started to become more frequent in those days.The stiffness from the bed rest never went away.
I have sharp pains throughout my body. Gabapentin has helped at 1800mg.
I have pain in my wrist, elbows, shoulders, lower back, upper hip pain and lower, knees and feet.
I am stiff all day. My hands feel like I'm wearing gloves when I cuff them.
I have no real strength anymore. If I lift something like a jug of milk, I have pain in my hands, wrist, elbow and shoulders. Depression has been having it's way with me. I walk everywhere with my nose to the ground. My mind is foggy with constant stressing content over and over.
I'm short tempered, easily to excite.
I've been in manufacturing for most of my life. I have a good job that I like, but times I need to sit for 4 hours at a time hurt me. Times, I need muscles to move things hurt me.
I cannot do this job for much longer.

 

[sunkacola]

Hello Kevin,
What has the doctor told you about all of this? Have you been tested for the various things that might be causing these symptoms?

 

[Kevin J Eads]

Yes, I have been to several doctors. X-rays, about 6 mri since last year. Neurologist suspects Fibro, Rheumatoid adds Normal break down of joints Osteoarthritis. I have been through a series of tests. Nerve response needle injections to measure response. Everything nonremarkable. I do have upper spine minor bulging on two vertebras, with 3 bulging disc lower back.

 

[Altered life]

I have to commend your perseverance in staying at work. This FB is hell on our finances. Migraines were horrible, began in my 20's, at the age of 52 they suddenly stopped. Supposedly, it's from the hormonal changes that happens at that age. That was a miracle for me because they were lasting 4-5 days. I was taking so many painkillers, they were masking the pain of the fibromyalgia symptoms. Once I stopped taking the opioids for migraines, I had no pain relief. Now, it seems I'm like all FB patients: seeking pain relief & finding none. Had to learn to slow down. Had to learn to live on a tight budget. Had to learn to ask for help - that was difficult. Breathing \ meditations to music helps. Waiting for an appointment with the Chronic Pain Management program. I'm also very glad to live where there's winter. The cold really helps, I keep the room temperature down. Step outside in a t-shirt in January. They keep prescribing anti-depressants that turn me into an eating machine. They say it will help with the pain. They do help with sleep. But, if i keep taking those I'll be obese & diabetic in no time. I've always been fit & active, so no, sorry, have to refuse medications that cause such symptoms. For now, when my body & mind can't tolerate the pain anymore, one of my family members has to get me to emergency for a pain & nausea injection. Not that they want me at emerg!! They say: "we can't find anything wrong with you so go home, find a doctor to manage you". I'm trying!! Distractions also help, like joining this forum. Best wishes on your future. Change is often difficult but necessary.

 

[sunkacola]

Greetings, @Altered life and welcome to the forum. I hope you find this a helpful place for you.
I am always interested in the things that seem to help different individuals with fibromyalgia. For instance, you mention that cold helps. And the opposite is true for me! I do far better in warm weather, and cold plus wet is just about deadly to me, so I live in the desert.

I also use distraction a lot in the management of my pain and other symptoms. It does work somewhat, but it's not exactly ideal. Sadly, there is no one medication or management system or treatment that works for everyone with fibro, or even for the majority of us. But stick around and read people's posts and offer your thoughts. We are all here to help each other any way we can.

 

[Kevin J Eads]

I take zero painkillers/Ibuprofen as they have no positive affect. (icky feeling/Flutter in chest) The antidepressant does help with the sharp pains throughout my body. I do use Marijana, but that's no fix. I get two puffs and wait about 45 minutes to allow the haze to easy up. If I use anymore then 2 puffs, I get body tremors for about 10 minutes during the haze. But it's much easier to walk my dog after work. Huskies don't care if you hurt.
Winter is on us now, so this will be my first go around in winter. Since my fall, I've lost about 40 pounds.
When I post this post, I cutdown on caffeine. I honestly feel better, I've been drinking coffee, Energy drinks like they were water for yearsI Soaking up 400 to 500MG of caffeine a day. I do drink a lot of water each day, regardless.
Weird thing is I have never experience sleep issues ever, Until this post. So, I don't know if I was getting into the start of this illness or it was a flare up.