General fatigue and pain ideas please

[johare]

Good afternoon everyone.

I am hoping some of you may share your experiences with me, I am not asking for an online diagnosis, as I have a GP phone call on the 10th, however, this is a thyroid check, not to discuss what is below.

I've had lupus, plus other issues for over 20 years and am used to the pattern to my lupus lows. However, last February I had a virus, along with my family. As usual, they picked up and I was left with chest pain(muscular) probably costochondritis and a sore throat and heavy feeling on my chest, that went on for months. But I picked up otherwise. Then just before xmas I began to develop alot of muscle pain. An example is putting on a jumper and feeling like I had pulled a muscle in my shoulder, the pain would go on for days. Then another area would become painful. I feel, even more brain fog, nausea, weakness than usual. All of my usual symptom exacerbated.

The only thing changed recently was increasing Levothyroxine from 25mcg to 50mcg in November. Such a low dose I doubt it would cause this.

I am now unable to do very much at all without feeling like im going to collapse.

I recently have had cardiac and gastro tests, for the heavy feeling. All fine.

I have, previous to this, always been as active as Lupus would allow.

Any thoughts would be appreciated

[Hamptons]

Niacin or B12 supplements can help energy. I use heat pads, hot water bottles for pain. Support gloves and bandages for wrist, elbow and knee pain. Tens machine eases muscle pain. Pacing helps with fatigue, lots on internet in that at mo.

[johare in reply to Hamptons]

Thankyou for your support.

[MrsMouseSJ]

Hello, and I'm sorry that you are experiencing this. I guess the call with your GP will shed more light - and perhaps whether this might, for example, be Fibromyalgia.

In terms of what you can do in the meantime, as Hamptons says pacing is key here. I attach a link to, hopefully, a PDF on this. Whilst written for the charity Action for M.E. (sometimes called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by some people), I think it is relevant for a wider audience, myself included.

actionforme.org.uk/uploads/...

If you are open to trying a dietary supplement, and there are no medical reasons why not, then it might perhaps be worth trying some magnesium powder - in a readily absorbable form. I use a magnesium citrate and malate mix, sold by a reputable brand (two words, ends in Care). Hopefully this wouldn't be prohibitively expensive. I also take Ubiquinol and D Ribose, which are far more expensive but which work very well for me; plus vit C and D each morning. If you want any pointers about where to buy at a reasonable price, PM me - I'm not sure I can mention here on the open forum.

Finally, how's your sleep? If it has deteriorated over the past year/months, that might be a contributing factor and worth looking at in detail.

Good wishes

[johare in reply to MrsMouseSJ]

Sleep is always poor due to peripheral neuropathy and now menopause! I'm also wondering whether the increase in gabapentin to combat this could be a factor.I take some supplements ie vit c/d the usual line up but will have a look at what you suggested.

Trouble is you wait a while to see if it's a bug, then is it lypus hanging on to a bug. Finally, you hope it's not a new state of normal, so you look for new reasons.

Thankyou.

[Hidden]

I have all the same symptoms, and am being evaluated by a Rheumatologist. I use a heating pad, all the pain creams available, hot baths, yoga, but the pain is really incomfortable. I have trouble getting dressed also. My chiropractor helps a lot she uses TENS and heat, and massage. It's hard to get used to the constant discomfort, I am doing my best but some days I am so weak I can barely walk, the next day I can walk fast five miles. Old age is really quite an experience.