Last post Thu, Jul 03 2008 2:45 PM by sandyfreytag. 24 replies.
Hi, I am a 50 yr. old with Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis. I am new at this so I hope I am doing this right. I just need some conversations with people who understand and believe how painful it really is having pain in the muscles and joints at the same time. Please responed if you do understand and believe. THANK YOU!
Hello Sandy! Welcome to Disaboom.
I am also a Fibromyalgia and Osteo Arthritis sufferer and I am 54 years old. I cannot take anything for the arthritis, as the only thing doctors here (Canada) will give is anti-inflammatories, and I can't even take Ibuprofen because of stomach problems from trying to take them in the past. So I just suffer.
I did, however, just see a Fibromyalgia Specialist in Toronto (Canada) and I think I have finally found one who will actually help me. He is determined that we will try everything within the limits of my drug plan until we find something that works for me, so I am very grateful for this, although the first med he tried me on was intolerable for me due to severe nausea, but I know he will fax another prescription to my pharmacy and we will try again. At least I have hope again where before I had pretty much lost it after four long years of suffering every day and not even a pain pill to help me.
Not all Rheumatologists are well-informed about Fibromyalgia, so don't be surprised if the one you see doesn't know what to do for you or isn't willing to prescribe pain meds. That is all I have encountered here in Canada from doctors until I finally found this one. He is not a Rheumatologist, but does specialize in Fibromyalgia, so I know I am finally with the right doctor.
Just keep persisting in finding a doctor who will help you, as they are out there, but they are not easy to find. I wish you all the luck in your process of finding a doctor and some relief. There are many wonderful people here who are always available to respond to your posts, and if nothing else, we can "hear" you and understand your pain. Take care and keep comin' back. You won't believe how much it helps to be able to talk about it here with others who understand. It has saved my sanity so far.
Gentle Hugs,Maggie
hi sandy nice t meet you i to have fibro and arthritus so i realy do understand wher you are coming from. I have had ostio since i was 14 and fibro for last 6 yrs . Look forward to seeing you in the chat room and feel free to mail me hope to hear from you soon gentle hugs Ally
Ally, thank you for responding so quickly. I also had surgery on my back 8 mths. ago. 'They fused Lumbar 3,4 & 5 and replaced two discs. Do you still work? I lost my job because I can't do my job like I use to. I was a Bartender-Cook-Waitress for 13 yrs. at the same place. I have no talent in anything else. Talk to you later. Thanks again, Sandy
sandyfreytag:I was a Bartender-Cook-Waitress for 13 yrs. at the same place. I have no talent in anything else.
HI Sandy,
you have plenty of marketable skills. Just remember the technical stuff can be taught but the soft skills can not! If you decide to seek employment, check with your local unemployment department for their disability programs. They will help you pull out the skills within you that you are being so bashful about!.
Welcome to disaboom and I look forward to talking with you!
Regards,
Monique
Hello Sandy, welcome. I also have arthritis and fibromyalgia was diagnoised a couple of years ago.i also lost my job due to my illness i worked als in the food industry, it is back breaking work. Please dont say you dont have any other talents im sure you worked very hard and did a good job.it is not your fault you became to sick to work .im sure you will find your calling in this phase of your life.i also have 2 discs that are looking at possible surgery at some point.i have a alright rhumie but my spine and pain managment doctor is my life saver! with out him and you guys i dont know what i would do. im glad to welcome a new friend see your already needed! talk to you soon. wendy
Hi Wendy, Thanks for responding so soo. I do need friends who understand my pain. Maybe, now I won't cry as much sense I have people who believe me. When I feel like crying I'll just get on the internet and talk to all of you. Thanks again, Sandy
Hi Sandy, I'm new here, but I wanted to tell you that you are not alone. Like many others, I too developed severe arthritis after the the onset of Fibromyalgia . (Had a car accident in '95 which led to this excruciating pain we live with.) I found a pain management team who I have been working with since that time and now take morphine, vicodin and muscle relaxers daily in order to have any kind of life. Surround yourself with loving people and take one day at a time. More and more people are hearing about it now that the ads are on TV and people are hearing about the pain being real. warm gentle love, from sunny St. Cloud, Florida! (Come swimming !!! It feels great!!!) mj pargoff
Thanks mj, my rhumetolagist said my fibromyalgia and arthritis was probably caused by my back surgery. She said they don't know why but that it just happens sometimes. I do enjoy a dip in the pool and love hot tubes. Thank again and welcome to this site, Sandy
Hi gals and guys
I was diagnosed in February with Lupus. What is this you say? It is a condition of many different faces, everybody that has it has a different set of symptoms. I have the joint pain due to arthritis, along with fibromyalgia, and Reynauds Disease. I have also acquired the Lupus rash on my face, arms, stomach and upper legs. The biggest part of this is the loss. I can't do what I did in the last few years, my walking is cut short, and I can't enjoy outdoors. I have attended a 2-week workshop at St. Joesph's Hospital in London, Ontario. I met a group of nice people and the staff was wonderful. I have a Rheumatologist who is nationallly known. The program is well known itself. Please take a look at the LUPUS sites on here, they are very helpful. The USA also has a Lupus site, I have found the deep breathing exercises and other physical exercises to be helpful. The pain killers help but only to a point, it is alot of mind over matter and using other types of things to "take the mind off of the pain". I wish you luck and please don't give up, there is always hope. Petparent, (Kelly)
Thank Kelly, You sound worse then me. Have all three things. How are you feeling today? I feel crappy but is morning and I always feel like this in the morning. Well my friend want me to go to coffee this morning so I better get ready. It is only 8:30 and coffee is at 10:30. My friend don't realize how long it takes to get going in the morning exspecially.
Good morning, I wanted to share this link with you. I have found it invaluable in explaining my chronic pain conditions to my friends and family. http://www.lifeinpain.com/node/2151 I printed several copies, even giving one to my doctor, in case she wanted to share it with other patients. Betty
Thanks Betty, Take really said like it is. I am going give it to my friends, so they understand me more. They don't understand my limitations when I'm in pain all day long. Thanks again, Sandy
Hey Kelly!
My name is Maggie and I am in Sudbury, Ontario. Nice to meet someone else here from Ontario!
I just recently found a Dr. Saul in Toronto and went to see him at the end of April. He specializes in Fibromyalgia and "men's" problems. He is a really nice man and is working with me to finally try to find something for relief. I haven't heard of the program in London or the doctor there, but glad you found somewhere to go that was helpful. Right now Dr. Saul is trying me on medications for Parkinson's, which have been somewhat successful for Fibromyalgia if you can tolerate them. The first one I tried, I couldn't tolerate, but he is faxing another one to my pharmacy, so we'll see how that goes.
I am also in the middle of a move, so may be offline after the 27th of May for a week or so, but I will be back! LOL Disaboom has literally saved my sanity many times and I wouldn't give this site up for anything now! Hope you do find people to connect with on here. Actually, I would be surprised if you didn't, so "Happy Posting"! LOL
