IC, Bipolar Disorder, IBS, Fibro... r they related or not?

[jensue973]

I was curious to others who have Fibromyalgia their symptoms...My doctor seems to believe I might have it and is sending me to the hospital for a sleep study..I dont quite understand how that is gonna let him know but I am not a doctor...I have IC, Bipolar Disorder, IBS, and going to a physical therapist now because everyday I am in so much pain...I feel like I might as well be 100 years old...I ache all over all the time and the littlest things hurt me... I can't even sit on the ground anymore and play with my kids without grabbing someone to help pull me up cause I am so tight feeling and in pain...These conditions have to all work together somehow because up to like 5 years ago I was in decent health and it seems like once I had my hystercotomy my health went down hill...I am considering applying for SSI or disability, but kinda scared I won't be approved and dreading applying and not being approved....I have 2 kids one who is Bipolar and the other who has ADHD that I get SSI for and I feel like I trying my hardest to deal with their issues and I can't even feel good myself...Just hard I guess...Basically all I want to know is if anyone could help me and maybe tell me if they have multiple symptoms how they deal with the pain etc....Thanks
Jennifer

[icjen]

Hi Jen! I'm dealing with a chronic pain problem right now too. Not sure yet if it's Fibro or not. I can tell you Fibro is very common for ICers. I don't know if you've had a chance to look through the patient handbook, but it does have a list of related illnesses that IC patients tend to get. I have the IBS. Possibly Endo and Fibro. I know how hard it is to deal with your health and find the energy to take care of family and work. We're here for you!

Hugs,
Jen

[Katrina]

IC, Bipolar Disorder, IBS, Fibro
IBS is extremely common with IC patients....I suspect that may in part be related to the problems with acid and the pelvic muscles that affect both.

Fibro is pretty common among IC patients
Bipolar I do think may be somewhat more common with IC patients than the general public but hard to be certain.

The thing here is that quite possibly the most common "illness" among IC patients is to have other health problems whatever they may be.
Some of my health problems are common among IC patients but some not anymore so than the general public....but yet around here most of us have more than IC. :grouphug: :grouphug: I don't know why but would love to know!

[creatingkarma]

Jennifer, I have all of those. It does sound like you have the symptoms of fibro too. I don't understand why you're being sent to a sleep study for it though. I've never heard of that one. Life with this pain is a real struggle, but it can be done. I think my sense of humor helps me through the rough spots the most. And I can't forget counseling. Or love.

[Sarojini]

Many fibro patients show aberrant brain wave patterns during sleep -- they basically show periods of brain wave activity that look like what should be seen during the waking hours, and this is thought to contribute to the feeling of "unrefreshing sleep" that fibromyalgia patients experience. Sleep studies are often done to check this out and give just one more piece of evidence that what you have IS fibromyalgia.

While not every doctor does it, many are beginning to do this now.

[Allyoopa]

Hi Jennifer,

Just a thought maybe this could medication related. When I was put on Oxycontin I felt like I was 105, I shuffled not walked...getting out of bed was excrutiating. They took me off of it and it went a way. I was then put on the Fentynol patch and the symptoms returned. At that time I was also diagnosed with Fibro, I don't why but I just felt that this was not the case. After trying all the pain meds under the Sun and knowing full well I was being treated as a human guinea pig I then changed Dr.'s and he agreed that it was med related and he put me on Oxy-Morph-Contin and I have been on it ever since and have been pain free as far as bone and muscle pain is concerned. I also am able to tolerate Oxycocet for break through. All IC patients have extremely sensitive systems and it truly is trial and error but I would bet that half of the patients diagnosed with Fibro are really going through sensitivity to their meds. Its worth discussing with your Dr. I hope this helps!

Take Care
Adele