Balance and holding a book. Both thin... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Balance and holding a book. Both thing I'm troubled with.

Sarah-Jane profile image
23 Replies

When I am typing, my waiting hand can drop involuntarily. Tonight I cannot hold a book without its dropping 45*. My eyesight is crap too, going in and out of focus. Does anyone else have this problem please?

Currently I'm recovering from Reflux. I know, that sounds weird, but it has been extremly painful. Started on Monday but meds helped. Went out Tuesday and at popcorn and drank cola. Wednesday it was awful so I saw a Doctor who gave me something to help the acid reduce. I've also had to make myself sick. Now as my tummy is so sore, I don't want to risk eating.

Soft hugs

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Sarah-Jane profile image
Sarah-Jane
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23 Replies
lemonzilla profile image
lemonzilla

I get the eyesight problems quite often when I have flareups... eyesight gets blurred, and my glasses don't help. I find that I need to see my optician for eye tests when I'm NOT in a flareup because it can significantly affect my prescription..

I do also have problems with my grip.. I can't hold a book upright in one hand for more than a few minutes: my hand will either cramp up and spasm, or I lose the strength in my grip and I drop the book. my hands will often spasm involuntarily: in a flare up I will often not make hot food or drinks because this has happened so often when I have been carrying plates or cups: and I tend to make drinks in plastic or metal travel mugs because they don't break if I drop them.

Colegg profile image
Colegg

I get blurred vision very frequent but put it down to the medication my hands cramp a lot and can't hold a book for long if at all that why I always read on my iPad when I can see never go near a cooker or microwave as I can't hold or lift the pans as I often drop them with hot water so don't make meals or hot drinks my husband does all the cooking I can't do housework either it hurts just to dust so I have a cleaner in to do that

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Hi Sarah-Jane

I sincerely hope that you are beginning to feel much better today? I am so sorry to read that you are having these problems.

I have acid reflux problems and my GP prescribed 'Ranitadine' which is quite easy to get on with. I understand that you are suffering as a result of this but I would be extremely worried if the only way to find relief is to force yourself to be sick, as this is not really conducive to your long term welfare. If you find the need to do this again, I think I would seriously consider talking to my GP about it? A simple endoscope can determine if there is anything more that needs exploring, and it is quite safe and painless.

I can also relate to your issues with reading and typing as have a problem with typing certain words in the correct order these days and I have to go back over everything again and again.

I sincerely hope that you can find some resolution and relief to your issues.

Ken x

Sarah-Jane profile image
Sarah-Jane in reply toTheAuthor

Well I have definitely paid for making myself sick as now my sides are sore from the effort! Think I am recovering, certainly need to if I am to be back at work on Monday. It felt like my stomach was a bag of bile and just filling up not emptying. Not feeling like that any more. Just had a small meal, my first for days - not to worry, I have plenty of reserves! ha ha and yes I am feeling more like laughing about it.

shirleyfl40 profile image
shirleyfl40

Sara-Jane, I am a newbie in this wonderful group. I also have trouble with my hands. I purchased a Samsung tablet that I can use as a ebook. It is so helpful and I have a special pillow that I prop it up on and I can lay in bed and read books with no hands. I also have RA, Fibro, spine problems, etc. Too many ailments. Am 73 and I am almost a recluse. I too have reflux problems and you need to tell your doc because ther are so many things that can help you. God bless you

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply toshirleyfl40

Hi shirleyfl40

I have just noticed your post and thought before I go to bed I would welcome you to the site! I sincerely hope that you find it as useful as I do.

I am so sorry to read that you are suffering with all these horrid problems and I sincerely hope that you can find some resolution and relief to your issues.

I really look forward to bumping into you around the forum.

Ken x

Sarah-Jane profile image
Sarah-Jane in reply toshirleyfl40

Thank you, this was very helpful

in reply toshirleyfl40

Hello shirley welcome to the site. hugs sue

Beth1471 profile image
Beth1471

Hello Shirley, I joined this group yesterday and am already hooked on reading the threads. The hand problem I have too. I bought myself a Kindle as I could no long hold a book to read, especially if it was a thick book with lots of pages. The Kindle is much kinder on the hands. The vision problems I have, its all part of the fibromyalgia unfortunately. I now have cataracts due to the medication I have taken over the years and I get a flickering effect and it is always in the mornings when its bad, then from time to time I get verigo with it too, so I too understand the problems you are having. If I am on the keyboard as I am now, I have to take frequent breaks from it. I cannot use the computer for longer than say half an hour before the problems start.

Sarah-Jane profile image
Sarah-Jane in reply toBeth1471

Thank you for your reply, it is very helpful.

gracesgrandma profile image
gracesgrandma

Hi Sarah-jane, I used to really worry about the eye problem until I read that it is becaue the eye is surrounded by muscle and like all muscles in a fibro sufferer when you overuse it it hurts and struggles to refocus properly. That said it is absolutely no help just more that knowledge is power in the big fibro fight, for me, at least. Good luck x

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply togracesgrandma

Hi gracesgrandma

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you can be today? I found your post very interesting as I have developed a blur sensation in my left eye, and no matter how much I try to focus I can't. This only happens when I feel exhausted, so half the day then! I always thought it was probably side effects from my medications, but what you have said has got me thinking!

Thank you so much for this

Ken x

Sarah-Jane profile image
Sarah-Jane

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply and giving me support and helpful tips. I wish all books could be on the Kindle, sadly they are not. Wouldn't it be great if they were?

Beth1471 profile image
Beth1471 in reply toSarah-Jane

I think they are aiming to get more and more on to Kindle. Their free books are great though. Lots and lots of them to download.

fibro profile image
fibro

Hi, i have suffered with acid reflux for well over 15 years and have had to keep changing the meds for it. I take them daily, in the morning, but have a bottle of Gaviscon advance, its the one from the GP which is stronger than the over the counter ones! I find that helps as a top up to keep it at bay, but i note above you said you had to make yourself sick. You should speak to your GP about this as the meds should give you some relief, but making yourself sick will only exacerbate the problem!

I cant remember the name of my current meds but if you haven't been given any to stay on, ranitidine or otherwise known as Zantac is available as an over the counter med.

If you are taking any anti-inflammatory meds, you may need to stop these as they do cause an excess if acid build up.

I do hope you get the much needed relief xx

bluebell99 profile image
bluebell99

Hi

Are you taking any stomach lining drugs like Lanzoprazole? You need to be on something like this if you are taking ibuprofen, diclofenac and any other anti-inflammatories. Many doctors do not give these prescriptions out as routine, I had to ask, as did several of my friends. Ranitidine and cimetidine can also be effective, (although I cannot take them as absurdly they make me very sick)

I take 40mg omeprazole before breakfast and it seems to be work for me

Xx

jillylin profile image
jillylin

Hi,

yes, I have fluctuating eyesight. I was actually told by my optician that she has found that normal in people with Fibromyalgia. I also can't hold things steady so they droop or fall.

Hope you are feeling a little better now. Reflux can be so painful.

Hugs

Jillyxx

Sarah-Jane profile image
Sarah-Jane in reply tojillylin

Hi Jilly, thanks. Fancy a cuppa when things are more normal?

jillylin profile image
jillylin in reply toSarah-Jane

Hi Sarah-Jane,

yes definitely.

Hugs

Jillyxx

fenbadger profile image
fenbadger

Hi Sarah - Jane. I'm wary about replying as you've had so many good answers.

I'm not so sure about popcorn but cola seems a bit of a trigger for reflux. I'm unsure of the cause of mine but try to control it with boring bland diet, and jump on it quickly. Luckily half a bisodol usually works. I've managed to avoid adjustment response so far ( I know that's not the right name but cant remember what it is). As to the arm thing, I get that too and no sign of s treatment. I use to cycle 40 miles or so but now after only about 6 my dominant left arm starts screaming. Then it becomes weak too.

Eyesight the same. I have 3 pairs of glasses in front of me, varifocals worse than useless. Including my "looking for glasses" glasses. I don't need a flare for the eyes to play up.

You don't say how long since you were last sick. So the answer to that is in your court.

I hope that's some comfort that you aren't alone and it's fairly normal - if anything can be called normal when you have a personal collection of maladies. Gentle hugs.

Shazzzy profile image
Shazzzy

Yes, i have same problem holding a book or tablet i use instead of computer as typing causes migraines and eye problems. Tablet easier and lighter to use and can use it anywhere. Sorry you beenso ill fibro cauaes sensitive stomach too .

Sarah-Jane profile image
Sarah-Jane

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your answers. I am on Metoclopramide 10mg, Peptac Peppermint and Omeprazole 20mg which was the first one given. Worked well the first time I took it, but it didn't seem to work long enough. I had to take a second one at 1am [having checked the information]. Forgot the next one and thats when everything seems to have gone wrong. I got the other two meds to compliment it and help me cope. Unfortunately I think the FM has decided to take part and I hurt. My skin has become very painful to touch unless its a whole hand - a finger brushing the surface is really painful. I seem to have an ongoing headache now too which means my forehead cannot be touched without pain. I am barely eating as nothing seems to be going through! I have been drinking cola like a fish for years now and its never caused my reflux. Anything with acid such as lemon juice, orange juice, pineapple juice and avoid anti inflamatories if I can, although I have been prescribed one that is said to not cause it. I cant recall its name. Ow my scalp hurts too! I cannot lay down to sleep and have bazaar dreams, probably because I am not having any deep sleep. I woke today in my dream to find myself in hospital with my teeth falling out into my hands and dots then ribbons flying around. My mum was there hurting my cheek as she tried to clean it and three nurses waited until I woke up then moved away! Then I actually woke up.

Ive told work I have to see my doctor tomorrow to see what can be done. I don't know how I can cope with this and work, but if I don't go in tomorrow, I may lose my job. Long story told before.

Ginsing profile image
Ginsing

Morning Sarah Jane,

How are you doing today, it does sound as if you are having real problems with your eyes. I find mine get the blurrhy sort of whispy smudging floaters . Do go to see an optician and explain the frequency of them. It may just be fibro or the medication you are on. It is always adviseable to get it checked out by a health professional.

xgins

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