1st trip to the Rheumatologist on Mon......

[Roxie2007]

HI!
I'm going to a Rheumatologist on Monday for symptoms....of what I think....are Fibromyalgia symptoms. I have very achy arms, legs, shoulders, hands and fingers, headaches, blood vessles breaking in my hands and fingers.... When one hand hurts so does the other......arms-arms etc...
I've realized since joining this site that lots of people who have IC also have Fibro, and IBS or some other related symptom.
Can anyone give me pointers on what I should be asking or telling, the Rheum on Monday? I talked with Danibelle who is on this site and she gave me some ideas but thought I'd throw the question out to y'all and see if anyone can give me any other thoughts, suggestions etc.... Thanks all! I love this site! Roxie

[MelissaT]

Hi Roxie,
My rheumatologist started me on cymbalta and it really helped me. I am having more pain right now and she thinks I may have R.A. or Lupis. They tried me on lyrica but I couldn't take it. They are going to try again in the summer. I am very sorry to hear that yu are having this pain. It stinks doesn't it. But there's a lot they can do. I also take relafen (anti-inflamitory) ambien & trazodone which helps me sleep. Make sure you tell them everything, some things seem unrelated but are. I remember feeling silly telling my dr that I couldn't carry a big purse (because the weight pulled on me so much) but after I did she told me that a lot of womes said the same thing. you might want to write things down. I know that I have problems with memory. Its called fibro fog. If I can help please let me know.

MelissaT

[Roxie2007]

HI Melissa!
Thanks for writing me. My reg. dr. tried me on Cymbalta and it worked great for 4 days......then I had major abdominal pain. He thinks it clashed with my Elavil. So I'm hoping the Rheum. dr. will have other options for me to try. I've been sitting here making notes about all of my health problems so I won't forget to tell him anything.
That's interesting about the purses. I have a fairly large bag and I think it makes my hands hurt when I carry it.
Thank you again for writing. Roxie

[Trishann]

Roxie, I hope you find out what it is and is able to get something for the pain.

Sending hugs, Trishann

[Roxie2007]

Thank you Trish ann.......I hope so too! Thanks for writing! Roxie

[MelissaT]

Hi Roxie,
How did the appointment go? Sorry that I haven't written before now, but I have been in a lot of pain. I hope your dr. was able to help you. I know that it can be very frustrating.

MelissaT

[Roxie2007]

HI Melissa, Well it was bad new and worse news at the Rhuematologist appt. He says I have Polymyalgia Rheumatica......and it lasts from 1-15 yrs! The treatment for it is to be on Steroids for at least a year.....but I can't take Steriods because I have Barrett's Esophagus. Soooo he's trying me on muscle relaxers that aren't working....ugh!!!!!!! I'm scheduled for 4 MRI's on Sat......and will get the results from the big blood work up at my next appt. which is next Wed. SO......I'm totally depressed and in pain. I'm not sure what I'm going to do now. I think I'll get a 2nd opinion from another Rheumatologist after the tests results come back......so I won't have to do them twice. Life sure can be rough! Roxie

[**Angie**]

Don't ya just get to the point where you don't want to go the the Drs anymore?? Everytime you go they find something else wrong with you. IC seems to come with all kinds of hangers-ons. Maybe you could try some different muscle relaxers if this one isn't working. I just switched to a new one and it's working a little better. Not much better but better. :) Good luck with the MRI's.

[Roxie2007]

HI Angie!
Yes I hate all the 'hangers on' with IC! Every other time I go to the dr. I find a new problem or have a new pain.
I'm going to see if this Rhuematologist can give me a different muscle relaxer since the ones he gave me arn't working. I know he's going to resuggest the Steriods......but I just can't go that route with my Barrett's. UGH!!!!!!! Roxie

[MelissaT]

Hi Roxie,
I hate to hear about your news from your dr.
I have been taking Skelaxin (muscle relaxer). It is not as strong as flexeril but you can take it and work. I hope you can find something that will work for you. I'm sorry that I havent wrote in a while.
My fingers have been so sore I couldn't hardly use them.
I have never heard of the new things you have been diagnosed with. I'm sorry I can't offer any advice.
At least your dr. has found this, now maybe they can find something to help you. It seems like your dr. knows what he/she is doing. I know that isn't a lot of help.
Let me know if I can help.

MelissaT:pray: