Fibromyalgia Community

I was recently diagnosed with Fibro, last Friday to be exact. I have been suffering since June 2004 and was originally diagnosed with Polymyalgia by my Internist. I took Prednisone for about 9 months which made me sick in so many other ways I had to stop. It didn't take away the pain anyway which has been getting worse over time. I finally decided to see a Rheumatologist and she said that she believes it's normal for me to have a high ESR/SED rate and CRP which normally is a sign of Polymyalgia Rheumatica. She said that my doctors should stop testing me for them and to not take Prednisone again.

Do any of you show inflamation in your blood tests or have a high CRP? My SED rate is 60 and my CRP is 21. I feel like I have a really bad achy flu with a 104 temperature all the time, only without the temp. I ache all over and do have the tender spots, but my lower back/buttocks and down into my legs are where I hurt the worst. It's just a constant aching. I'm just as tired in the morning as I am at night (exhausted!). I take Norco and Percocet for pain but they only take the pain down to a level where I can concentrate at work and sleep at night. I thought the Rheumatologist was going to treat me but she just gave me a prescription for vitamin D (my level was at 18) to take for 12 weeks and told me to work with a pain management doctor and my internist for the pain. I was really suprised that she wasn't going to treat me (what's that all about?). My internist is out of the office for another week and her assistants aren't returning my calls (I was just wanting an appointment and let them know I was in constant pain). I think they are upset that I got another opinion. I couldn't go into work today, I was up all night. I couldn't lie down without pain enough to keep me awake, and I couldn't sit in a recliner without pain enough to keep me awake, even with the pain medication. I have a memory foam mattress topper on my bed and a very cushy recliner that I go back and forth between every night.

I worked with a couple of women a number of years ago who had Fibro but I really didn't understand it until now. I remember touching the shoulder of one (she's still a good friend) and she jumped. I was really suprised when my husband touched my shoulder a few weeks ago and it was so painful I jumped myself. My husband and family are understanding to a point but I think it's very difficult for them to understand how I feel. I also have Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, OA, hip bursitis and sciatica. I think the hip bursitis and sciatica are part of the Fibro as they tell me my Stenosis shouldn't be causing the problem.

Sorry this is so long, I've just had a really bad couple of days and needed to vent. I'm normally very positive. I thought I had PMR which is supposed to go away eventually. Now I know I have something that will be with me for the long term and need to re-adjust my thinking and figure out how to deal with it in the best way. I'm looking for an new Internist and Pain Management Doctor.

Thank you all for being here. It really helps to know that it's possible to find a balance of medications that can allow you to live again. I feel like I've just been going through the motions for a long time now.

Take care all,

Kathy