Fibromyalgia

[Chimneypot]

Hi

I have been diagnosed with this for years and managed it

I am now nearly 68 and for the last two weeks I don’t know if it’s a flare up like something I have never had before

I started with cramp in my leg then back pain , groin pain and pain in my armpit and my whole body was sore to the touch

Then I got a small rash on my ankle that got worse and went all the way up my to my thigh

Only one leg , mainly on my knee but only one side

It was on fire last night , could feel the heat through my trousers

I have got some antibiotics from the doctor yesterday and today is day 2 of taking them

They are having side effects of going to the loo a lot which I don’t need as I have ulcerative colitis amongst many other things

I am in pain walking in the house and can barely get upstairs

I feel incredibly depressed and so tired

Sorry for long first post

[Gulfstream_Maggie]

Hi Chimneypot

Sorry to hear you’re having a rough time. Just know even if we can’t help we’re always here to listen.

You never need to apologise for a rant to us - we can empathise every step of the way because we understand!

Sending healing hugs your way.

🤗🤗

[Wobblygirl in reply to Gulfstream_Maggie]

Sending gentle hugs, these pains are so limiting, aren't they? I'm going thru a bout of costochondritis since b4 Christmas+it's agony to move or do anything independently...

I do truly understand yr agony and sense of despair. It's certainly not easy to bear...

I try+focus on the positives+today despite all the weather warnings, the sun is shining thru my window, so I'm sitting v still+enjoying the warmth...

With my eyes shut though as I suffer terribly with light induced migraines!!!

Can't win can we???

Sending gentle healing hugs.

You are not alone...

Take good care of yrself today Wx

[Boardercolly]

Hi so sorry to read your comments. Quite understand as have been through same emotional pain. It sounds as though you are on your own and loneliness can make things worse. There are organisations that will listen, such as the Samaritans, and off loading can help. Can you have carers come in for a few weeks? I understand you may need someone to arrange this for you, but your local authority, social care dept may help or a private care organisation.

[Dizzytwo]

Hi there, I do think you should try and call your GP or speak to a pharmacist about your side effects especially if it's making your ulcerative colitis worse.

Maybe they could suggest a cream to put on your leg for the rash and burning.

My hubby suffers with something similar. He has phlebitis on his ankles and legs.

It may help if you change from pants to a skirt . This will stop the rubbing and irritation. And maybe place some cool cloths on the rash to help cool it down a little xx

Momo

[hf1981]

Sorry you're feeling so rough.I am a similar age to you and also have ulcerative colitis

I'm not a medical person so always be guided by your GP obviously

Did they consider shingles?

What you described sounds very much like my experience of shingles

Is it worth having another conversation with your GP or pharmacist?

It's only a suggestion

Sending very gentle hugs and hoping you feel better soon

[Chimneypot in reply to hf1981]

Hi

Saw a doctor, never mentioned Shingles and it’s only down my red hand side on one leg and my leg is swollen

The only thing he said was it looks like Impetigo

That’s ridiculous as I haven’t been out the since two days before Xmas

The doctors seem to useless around my area

[hf1981 in reply to Chimneypot]

I really hope you're starting to feel better. If not then maybe try a different GP or even the practice nurse if the surgery has one.I just feel that the nurses do listen and will say if they think you need another GP appointment

It feels so hard to get anywhere. We just get told it's the fibromyalgia most of the time

Keep trying if you have the energy

Get well soon x

[Chimneypot in reply to hf1981]

Hi

I have been through all the Gp practices in this area and they are all absolutely rubbish

This new one is over 10 miles as I have literally fallen out with them near me and the receptionists are awful in all of them

They have no empathy or any care

I am now thinking I have shingles now as my symptoms seem to echo this

Surely a competent doctor should have picked this up?

He didn’t know what it was or how I got it which is not helpful

So if it’s shingles which I am now pretty certain it is , antibiotics don’t work for this

I have just ordered some calamine lotion and some vitamin B12 tablets

It’s the pain I still have and all one side of my body is so sore just to touch , with alternative itching , then burning and sore

The rash has faded a fair bit but after looking it up it definitely looks like shingles to me

So fed up

My cats are all that keep me going

[hf1981 in reply to Chimneypot]

Definitely sounds like shingles. GP should prescribe you anti virals and some stronger antiinflammatory medsI found the only time I could get relief was to soak a towel in cold water and place it over the really sore areas. In my case my arm and top of one side of my body and then not move

Just a note of warning. I have diverticular disease and the anti inflammatory my GP prescribed ended up with me in hospital with full blown diverticulitis so if you have gastric issues be careful

The pharmacist where I live is amazing and can prescribe some medications. Have you tried them. Shingles is awful I'm sending very gentle hugs 🤗

[25rosclare]

Hi, Like you I thought that I was copying with Fibro quite nicely thank you. I forgot to take 2 things into account - weather and age. This past year has been horrendous for rapidly changing temperatures and muscles weaken with age. Take the time to sit down and pamper yourself for a bit A wise man told me that once you have a layer of dust you tend not to notice as more layers fall but it all wipes away quite easily.. The nights and mornings are getting lighter and warmer weather is on the horizon, which helps me. Dont you just hate the word exercise !? but it can help to tone muscles and is worth the initial few weeks. You don't have to train for the Olympics - just try a few stretches when you get up, walk a bit quicker up the stairs it all adds up. You have come this far in the Fibro battle dont give up just a slight readjustment can help. Good luck - it is just another Fibro battle and you have never given in to it yet..Have you?

[jetgirl]

Hi how are you now? Did the antibiotics have any effect so far?

[Chimneypot in reply to jetgirl]

I replied above and they have helped with the rash but not the pain

I am now thinking I have shingles which antibiotics don’t help with

I can’t believe a doctor couldn’t see what it was

Telling me he didn’t know what it was or how I got it isn’t helpful at all