Could it be fibromyalgia

Hi. Well where to begin! I have Hypothyroidism, am medicated and therefore I expect my levels are as good as they can be. However, the pain I experience day after day, which I thought were due to the thyroid, could possibly be due to fibromyalgia. I went to the Nurse at my local practice who I had never met before and wow, she listened! I thought I had a DVT my leg pains me so much. The test was negative. I have pain everywhere, joints,muscles, back, hips, neck, fingers, toes, muscle cramps.. the list goes on.

I take co codamol 30/500 mg like smarties, naproxen, amitriptyline at night.

I work full time, active job, stressful at times. I put aches and pains down to job and thyroid condition. But I have begun thinking differently, hyper sensitive to sound, smells and touch.

The Nurse mentioned fibromyalgia, I almost cried with joy as she had listened, really taken notice!

She has booked me in to talk to a doctor next week. Let’s hope I finally get some answers!!

Sue

[bantam12]

Why do you expect your " levels are as good as they can be " have you got the actual results ? If you post them ThyroidUK forum members will tell you if your levels are good, highly likely they aren't, doctors will happily say "normal" as long as the numbers fall anywhere within the range, doesn't mean they are good ! if you are low in vits and mineral that will also affect absorption so lead to symptoms, low vitd and B12 in particular can cause pain.

[Rose54 in reply to bantam12]

TOO TRUE

[Hidden in reply to bantam12]

They never tell me the actual results just say they are within range. I understand what you are saying, I do self medicate at times, up the dose, to see if this makes a difference, nothing changes, and the blood results come back within range, so I totally agree with you!

I am booked in for a blood test to test for levels of vit D and B12 this week.

Maybe the answers do lay there.

Thanks for your reply

[bantam12 in reply to Hidden]

You need to ask for and keep copies of your results, they are yours by law so don't let them tell you otherwise, you really must see what your results are before accepting a fibro diagnosis. If you go on ThyroidUK forum you will see just how many 1000s of people are struggling with diagnosis, doctors and treatment.

If you "up the dose" are you doing it for long enough ? it takes 6-8 weeks for levels to change and randomly upping the dose is not ideal because your body gets confused with changing doses.

Vitd and B12 should be in the top half of the ranges, doctors will say results are normal even if they are scraping the bottom of the ranges !!!

[Hidden]

Could I suggest you get onboard with a physio and ask about using hydrotherapy, even if you have to travel a little to use a pool, after a days work they are heaven for fibro, if there isnt one then find a swimming pool that has a jacuzzi and sit in there, ask a physio for some stretching excercises, you can do some in your own bath but in a larger area of WARM water- much better (hydro pools are around 32 degrees), I have a local pool that has a childs pool that they heat up to 32 degrees I asked the Manager for permission to use it and we were able to agree a suitable time when the young ones are not in..

[marialang1]

sounds like it to me your lucky you can still work i couldn't any more made me to ill but in saying that i work at home for hubby as he works for him self and i take his calls when his out working but it let's me heal my self i have stopped taking meds as they made more ill on them and they didn't work any way but thats me they may for you so i wish you good luck with it and hope you get the help you may need

[Hidden in reply to marialang1]

Hi. Thank you for your reply, I hope I can go on working, these pains have taken hold since the beginning of the year.. what meds were you taking if you don’t mind me asking? xx

[marialang1 in reply to Hidden]

amitriptyline and some others which i for get which ones all i know is they made me so ill some days i couldn't move even to get to the bathroom or even eat and drink i felt like i was dead or near it so i told the dr i will never take any more now i have got sum what better but in pain 24/7 which i have been told by my dr that will never get better or stop now i have it for life but that is only a small part of what i have but every one isn't the same some have said they feel better on some of the meds so you just keep on trying

[Hidden in reply to marialang1]

Hi. I feel I am very lucky after reading your post, I am no where near feeling this way, yes I have pain, some days are better than others, but it hasn’t impacted my life like it has you. I’m saddened to read of your struggles. So have you got other health conditions?

[rockett777]

Hi Sue3098. It is so good you have been listenend to. So many tablets, do make sure to take them as adviced and take a stomach protector......Glad your still able to work......My story started way back in 1999, after terrible trauma, l was 36. Began to struggle with all sorts of pain. Took a long time before listen too. Slowly but surely l found what l could/ couldnt do. What aggrevated and what tablets made me sick and also foods that irritated my bowel.. Felt l was going out of my mind... It is to ardous to share but have learnt to pace self, be kind to myself and even when difficult go back to g.p and trust in couple of faithful friends..... This year 2018 for me so many personal tragedies, yes bang STRESS triggeres F.M. Take care Sue and hope you can get best support.

[Hidden in reply to rockett777]

Hi. Thank you for taking the time to reply. Was it physical trauma you suffered or emotional? I ask as I believe my problems are from emotional stress of bereavement. It’s a minefield isn’t it ... xx

[rockett777 in reply to Hidden]

I was all ready stuggling with physical health, then trauma through loved one death, emotional, then ongoing need to find right help....Important you eat well, rest, pace self, dont go mad when feel energised. Be honest with those you trust. Be kind when you unable to do life......Today a bad day for me..so l eat cheese and watching location,location.

[holly20]

Hi There, looks like you have a lot of problems, and your symptoms are the same as Fibromyalgia, i would say that is what you have, i have all these symtoms its not very nice, i have tried only a few Tablets, as there is not much out there for us, i get a lot of pain in my Head, the only thing i take is Paracetomol, and amitriptyline, i only take one tablet, to help me sleep, and as for the painkillers, they are not strong enough, but i cannot take anything else, my body will reject it, its a horrible Decease , but you have to tryand cope, some days are better than others, i dont no how you go out to work with it, must be hard for you...........Lots of Hugs.........Val...xx

[Hidden in reply to holly20]

Hi Val

Thank you for taking time to reply. These aches and pins and needles mainly in my left hand/arm are taking its toll. I know exactly how my day will go from the moment I wake up.. I think positively, keep a smile on my face and no one is any the wiser, however when I’m on my own it’s getting me down.. my mood is so low feel like crying at every chance I get, yeah a cry does me good!

I work because I love it, I’m a paramedic. I can not give up.. I have worked so hard to get where I am. I will struggle today and I feel I may have to take few days off but we get into all sorts of trouble when we go ‘sick’ I mean it all adds up and frequent sickness is frowned on.

I’ve noticed over the last few years that pain develops in random places in my body, stays there for a period of time goes, then appears somewhere else!

I should add I had a hysterectomy (total) at the age of 38, I’m now 46, I thought these aches and pains were normal and what to expect after the operation, hormonal body changes.

Anyway I’ve rambled enough.

Thanks again xx sue

[holly20 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Sue, you have a very important job, but i still think you have got Fibro, all the things you are telling me, are symptoms of this, it does help to think Posative, i wish you all the best and keep in touch......xxxx

[Hidden in reply to holly20]

Hi, hope you are feeling well. I saw my GP yesterday, she is going along the lines of Polymyalgia .. I’m not sure the difference presentation or why she going along that road instead of fibromyalgia.

I have carpal tunnel also, she thinks. That would account for the pins and needles in my left hand.

Have you any thoughts on polymyalgia? xxx

[holly20]

Hi Sue, you would be better to google it, then you will see all the symptoms, see what you think........hugs Val......xx