Is this a flare up

[margaretpaloma]

Morning all. The sun is shining, its a beautiful day and I am miserable. I have read threads here and thought I was very lucky, my pain was not as severe as many were suffering. But yesterday It got worse and last night and this morning have been awful. Didn't sleep much because of the pain, went and sat in my recliner chair to see if it eased off.

I have pain in my legs, especially my calf muscles, and my thighs, back, in my shoulders, wrists, hands.

I had two quite active (for me) days Wednesday and Thursday, and then felt as if I was coming down with a cold (?!) so took it really easy Friday and Saturday. Looking now for possible causes I realise I had meals with high tomato content on Friday and Saturday. I also take Metformin and Crestor (a statin) which can cause muscle pain. I also have brain fug, just one small task yesterday left me mentally exhausted.

My husband wants me to go to the doctor, but the question is which one? My Endocrin is private, and it will take at least a couple of months to get an appointment. I have already asked him if he thinks any of this is side effects from the medication and he said stop it for a while, so I did and no change, though it wasn't as bad as this then. The reumatologist is even harder to see, saw her once, blood tests to rule out other things, and a diagnosis by email. Couldn't tolerate the anti-depressants she put me on and the steroids didn't help much. So I have the impression she has done all she is willing to do.

Which leaves my GP. I'm in Spain, I do speak Spanish but my GP isn't exactly communicative even when you do. And the standard response to most things by Spanish GPs is either to prescribe 'approved' meds or make a hospital appointment which will probably take ages.

To add to all this we have seasonal 'flu and the corona virus and, honestly, the last place I want to be is in a doctors or hospital waiting room with people coughing and sneezing.

So, is this my first really bad 'flare up'? Any advice on how to cope? What about medical help?

Sorry for the long post but I would love some advice for those more experienced in dealing with this

[margaretpaloma]

Thanks Zoonie. I love tomatoes and peppers and have always used a lot in cooking. I had read about the issue but not connected it in my case. We had pasta with a tomato sauce, made from tinned tomato and fresh red pepper, on Friday. And my husbands special spag. bog. with chopped tinned tomatoes and bottled sieved tomato yesterday.

I am newly diagnosed and I'm really struggling to work out all the different elements of my problem. And each doctor just looks at their little bit.

Just started taking turmeric, will avoid nightshade fruits, and I'm having a few days off the metformin, I'm not diabetic, just insulin resistant. See if I can damp it all down to bearable.

[Hidden]

Hi Hun it sounds like a flare shoulders back calf muscles that's probably what it is drink water hot water bottle on worst places and try to sleep because insomnia will make it worse xx

[margaretpaloma in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I have a wheat pack for my shoulder that helps.

[Hidden in reply to margaretpaloma]

XXXX hope you feel better soon xxxxxx

[SusieSquirrel in reply to margaretpaloma]

I had a wheat pack until my puppy ate it. It was the last straw and had me in tears. I was in the middle of a flare up

[margaretpaloma in reply to SusieSquirrel]

Oh dear, things like that can be just too much when you are in pain and your brain won't work properly aren't they? Was the puppy alright? xx

[SusieSquirrel in reply to margaretpaloma]

He was fine. Hes ate alot worse. Like my reading glasses

[Hidden in reply to margaretpaloma]

Hi

I'm banned from the wheat bags now, one I left in too long and it burnt my stomach and another I left it in too long and it burst in the microwave!! I'm not fit to be let loose 🤣😂

[margaretpaloma]

Thanks, wondered what the black pepper was for! Have tried so many exclusion diets in the past, here comes one more.

[margaretpaloma]

Just read turmeric works best when taken with fats or oils - whoopee, curry every night!

[Hidden]

Have you been diagnosed with ceoliac, just wondering cos you mentioned you are going to do gluten soon. Take care Lynne

[Jennyw59]

Awww! Sounds like you've overdone it! never mind all these fad diets- the plain truth is when you've had a hard few days you need to rest. Do nothing. Get your sleep. Hot water bottles, hot baths to soothe pain. Painkillers and....rest! Let the housework go and let your husband cook your meals. Guaranteed you will feed a whole lot better! Big hugs xx

[margaretpaloma in reply to Jennyw59]

Thanks Jenny, yes, I do find that. but this is especially bad. I'm very lucky though, retired to Spain with a wonderful husband who looks after me. We have help with housework and the gardening.

I'm feeling a little better this evening, slept this afternoon so I hope I can sleep tonight.

Don't do baths because of my hips but I have a big shower with a chair and sitting under the water is great.

Thanks for the kind words, hugs back, Margaret xx

[Jennyw59]

Aw that's good your feeling a bit better Margaret. It's awful this fibro thing and nobody knows how we feel except ourselves! I'm glad you've got a supportive husband like mine - it does help! He's learned to recognise that when I've done too much I'm totally exhausted so he doesn't expect me to surface from my bed too early and just cooks & cleans while I'm recovering! Sleep and rest are essential as we can't go on too long!

[margaretpaloma]

Another sunny day here in Spain, the hoopoe bird is calling outside my window. I feel a little better today, the pain has dulled to a more manageable level and, bliss, I slept last night.

Rest, hot packs, warm shower and Ibuprofen helped. I'm cutting out the tomatoes etc for a while and didn't take the metformin yesterday, though I will go back on it.

I hope to spend a little time in my studio where I fuse glass in my (very small) kiln to make jewellery and small things like coasters. and candle lamps. It is a wonderful distraction from the pain when I can do it.

My thanks to those who replied to me, your views were helpful and your support invaluable.

Margaret xxx