Diagnosed With Fibromyalgia

So I saw the new Doc today and it looks like we'll get to the bottom of things - which is good - the not so good is that with the RA I have fibromyalgia.  It explains a lot of the pain and a lot of the other stuff I have been through.

I am so ticked off at the old rheumy as I complained about many of the symptoms and some for a very long time and he didin't get it.

I am feeling so blue to go with it.  Thanks for letting me vent.

bigted

awww-- sorry about that!

Although, the good news is (good news being relative around these parts) that at least now you don't have to wonder whats wrong, and you have a doc who is actually listening to you. This means maybe you can actually figure some of this out!

Hey bigted,

Sorry you are down, but I am happy, very happy that you finally have found a new rheumy!, (your old rheumy deserved the heave ho).  Fibro and RA often seem to go together.  I have been told that I have fibro along with RA, but I am not convinced.  (My pains clearly respond to my RA drugs, although my extreme fatigue may be more fibro related).  Sleep problems are often present/related to fibro.  (I benefit from sleeping pills to achieve more restorative sleep), so I take sleeping pills.

I know its hard to get yet another diagnosis.  (I argued with my rheumy saying, "Either I have RA or Fibro but I can't have both!".  I was not, (and still may not), be able to think of myself as having both.  You have every right to be angry (angrier) with your old rheumy for not considering Fibro.  The good news is there are meds now for Fibro, and perhapsif this is at the root of your pain, you may hopefully, hopefully, finally get some well deserved relief!!!

Bigted,

Sorry to hear the news about the Fibro.  They do say there are a lot of folks with RA that also have Fibro to go along with it, which rots.  I am happy to hear as the rest are that you now know the source of the additional pain and there are meds out ther for them.  They have released Cymbalta as one to help with the "unexplained pain" which they put me on before all the RA drugs recently.  Though I don't have the diagnosis of Fibro.

It's good to hear you found a Rheumy that one understands it and that will listen!!!  Bev was right the other one had to go! 

Keep us posted on what's going on and have a safe trip this week!!!  The warm weather will do you a lot of good and make sure you find time to relax and enjoy!!!

I'll let you know how Toronto is when I get back!  I know it is going to be cold and my hubby just told me he won't take me to the Fall's until the summer time, says he doesn't want to risk me having a major flare while traveling so close to my surgery.  He's right about that plus with me being off my meds for over a week before I go it is a wise decision.

Chat with you soon!

Tess

Hi BigTed,

About six or seven months ago I saw my Rhemy and complained about the pain. I was hoping for so long that when the weather got warmer I would start to feel better. I went in on a warm summer day hurting so bad I could hardly stand it. I walked out of the office with the dx of fibro also. I was so confused... Did I have this problem or was it really RA? After lots of reading I guess I finally understood that yes we can have both. Was this going to be more meds then to treat this new problem or would the RA meds help too? I now believe I can tell which is the fibro pain and which is the RA pain. I wish you luck with this new dx. Just remember it is always better to have been diagnoised then to go without the dx and be in pain. I am sure that your new doctor will help you along with the problems that come with fibro. Again have a wonderful trip.

Kelly