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Topic: RE: My dr's all said thry just plain give up
Call around to some local senior's services (yeah, I know you're only 22, but on the inside we're all 80). Many seniors have volunteers who do grocery shopping for them. If you give them your sob story, they may hook you up with somebody who will do your shopping for you.
Topic: RE: Meniere's Disease?
I have Meniere's too and have had it for quite some time. I get the mosquitos in the ear and lots of dizziness. The people at work just laugh at me now when I walk through a door and don't quite make it and walk right into the door frame. Gotta admit it is amusing to watch sometimes... They are not quite as amused when I'm basically clutching the wall to get to my desk or I can't manage to sit down on my chair without grabbing the thing with both hands like I can't even see it. When I feel the attack come on, some days I'm luck enough to be able to go home before it hits full blown as there's no way I should be driving once it hits me full force. Other days I get stuck at the office for hours of overtime because I can't stand straight enough to go home. Regardless of major attacks, I dread going down stairs unless I can grip the railing tightly because there's a good chance I will become disoriented and tumble all the way down. Ramps. I like ramps. There should be more ramps in this world.
Topic: RE: Fibromyalgia& WLS linked???
I've had fibro since I was 11, so that makes it (cough cough) 24 years now. If there's anything I've learned in that time, it's that nobody can seem to come to any sort of agreement as to what causes it and what to do about it. The current theory de jour is that fibro is actually untreated lyme disease that has run rampant throughout the body. That joins the list of fibro being the result of a virus, a genetic predisposition, or we're just plain crazy and lazy. The Canadian Red Cross just banned all fibro and CFS patients from giving blood for the mere fact that nobody seems to be able to get to the bottom of the problem and that it's better safe than sorry.
Given there have been documented cases of what we now are pretty sure is fibro in medical records back 100 years, I'm going to say no, the WLS didn't cause your fibro because it's a relatively recent medical procedure. Add to that the thousands of people who have fibro and didn't have any sort of surgery or medical procedure to kick start it, and the direct correlation starts to look thin. Who knows? Maybe the stress of the pre-op diet, surgery and recovery did it. Lord knows stress has been around long enough...
Given there have been documented cases of what we now are pretty sure is fibro in medical records back 100 years, I'm going to say no, the WLS didn't cause your fibro because it's a relatively recent medical procedure. Add to that the thousands of people who have fibro and didn't have any sort of surgery or medical procedure to kick start it, and the direct correlation starts to look thin. Who knows? Maybe the stress of the pre-op diet, surgery and recovery did it. Lord knows stress has been around long enough...
Topic: RE: My dr's all said thry just plain give up
I had the same symptoms. I couldn't put a sentance together. Last week I slept four days in a row! My husband says I was like in a stupor!
When I went back to the surgeon that did my WLS I discovered that I was deficient in calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B1 and protein.
My doctor put me on mega-doses of these nutrients and I improved noticably within 24 hours!. Every day gets better. I still take pain meds - which I had to fight for - but I take much less and not all the time.
Check out the nutritional angle. Hope you find some help.
When I went back to the surgeon that did my WLS I discovered that I was deficient in calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B1 and protein.
My doctor put me on mega-doses of these nutrients and I improved noticably within 24 hours!. Every day gets better. I still take pain meds - which I had to fight for - but I take much less and not all the time.
Check out the nutritional angle. Hope you find some help.
Topic: RE: So freaking MAD and frustrated
I know exactly how you all feel!
Find a new doctor!
I get medical help at an HMO and they assigned me to a new doctor. I had a protruding disk for which I was taking narcotic pain releivers. He just said, "well you have fibromyalgia, what do you expect?"
He sent me to a pain clinic where the doctor basically said the same thing. I got really pissed and wrote a letter about being hit by a truck and having a protruding disk and that neither one had anything to do with FM. To my surprise, my new primary appologized and said that his mother and sister both suffered from FM and that they would be ashamed of him if they knew that he had dismissed me. He had me back and did xrays and sent me to physical therapy.
The exercise has helped a lot! My xrays showed I have arthritis and bone spurs in the painful joints. He has scheduled an MRI to check out what's going on in my neck and when I told him I was tired all the time he set me up for a sleep study. (the Sleep specialist says I have symptoms of a serious sleep disorder.)
The point is, This time I didn't let it go. I *****ed. I had the added support of a husband who also *****ed. (sometimes it helps if a man gets mad).
But it sound like you have a long term problem with this one. Make sure you publish her name so none of us get stuck with her!
By the way, I have emotional problems. I have double depression and a severe anxiety disorder. That doesn't mean I'm not in pain.
Legally you have the right to wright an answer to her comments and have it put in your record. I've done that before, too. Just make sure you answer each negative comment logically and calmly and tell her you are having it placed in your file.
She also has superiors that might want to hear from you. You may not be the first patient she didn't listen to.
Oh, and I just remembered! I have taken witnesses to my appointment and had doctor's back track like crazy when they know someone else is there to back you up. I have gone with friends and suddenly their doctors are all cooperative!
Also, request copies of your records at every appointment. You have a right to see what is written about you. At the HMO I go to, our records are available on line. That way, I can print them out and take them with me if I see a doctor outside of the HMO and I know when there has been a misunderstanding.
Hope something will help. I know exactly how you feel. It's like that doctor was in a completely different conversation than what you thought you were having.
So sorry that happens. Let us know how it turns out!
Dracoramm
Find a new doctor!
I get medical help at an HMO and they assigned me to a new doctor. I had a protruding disk for which I was taking narcotic pain releivers. He just said, "well you have fibromyalgia, what do you expect?"
He sent me to a pain clinic where the doctor basically said the same thing. I got really pissed and wrote a letter about being hit by a truck and having a protruding disk and that neither one had anything to do with FM. To my surprise, my new primary appologized and said that his mother and sister both suffered from FM and that they would be ashamed of him if they knew that he had dismissed me. He had me back and did xrays and sent me to physical therapy.
The exercise has helped a lot! My xrays showed I have arthritis and bone spurs in the painful joints. He has scheduled an MRI to check out what's going on in my neck and when I told him I was tired all the time he set me up for a sleep study. (the Sleep specialist says I have symptoms of a serious sleep disorder.)
The point is, This time I didn't let it go. I *****ed. I had the added support of a husband who also *****ed. (sometimes it helps if a man gets mad).
But it sound like you have a long term problem with this one. Make sure you publish her name so none of us get stuck with her!
By the way, I have emotional problems. I have double depression and a severe anxiety disorder. That doesn't mean I'm not in pain.
Legally you have the right to wright an answer to her comments and have it put in your record. I've done that before, too. Just make sure you answer each negative comment logically and calmly and tell her you are having it placed in your file.
She also has superiors that might want to hear from you. You may not be the first patient she didn't listen to.
Oh, and I just remembered! I have taken witnesses to my appointment and had doctor's back track like crazy when they know someone else is there to back you up. I have gone with friends and suddenly their doctors are all cooperative!
Also, request copies of your records at every appointment. You have a right to see what is written about you. At the HMO I go to, our records are available on line. That way, I can print them out and take them with me if I see a doctor outside of the HMO and I know when there has been a misunderstanding.
Hope something will help. I know exactly how you feel. It's like that doctor was in a completely different conversation than what you thought you were having.
So sorry that happens. Let us know how it turns out!
Dracoramm
Topic: RE: Fibromyalgia& WLS linked???
I have had Fibromyalgia for several years. I am disabled because of it.
I had read that weight loss improved symptoms. I was hoping to go back to work when I lost some weight. So here I am, 110 lbs down and I'm sad to say that since my surgery in November of 2009, the fibro is worse.
I did have to go on mega-doses of several nutrients because I was lacking and I admit, I feel better.
I refuse to quit looking. I know I don't sleep well so I'm going to get a two day sleep study. (I already know I had sleep apnea before surgery but can't stand the C-pap now at this lower weight).
I just had my first interview with a new sleep specialist and I have some symptoms of nacolepsy - a seizure like disorder where you fall asleep without warning. My father had it. They will be testing me for it when I go to the hospital.
When I weighed 290 pounds, my doctors blamed everything on my weight. So here I am, having had my guts rearranged and still have the same problems. The only difference is, now I'm taken seriously and my medical team and I keep searching for answers.
The symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency are also close to those of fibromyalgia, including pain and fatigue. The normal range for Bariatric patients is 40 and above. My level was 15. So now I take 50,000 units a week. My doctor says there is no danger from overdose so I take it whenever I take my calcium. (Vitamin D aids in the absorbtion of calcium) That's four times a day.
Exercise helps but too much exercise hurts. Keep moving but not too fast. My doctor says we were designed to walk. Not to sit and not to run.
Getting deep sleep is imperative. Some medical researchers believe that fibromyalgia is ultimately a sleep disorder and if you can get good sleep, it goes into remission.
It feels like I'm a juggler, trying to eat often but not too much, sleep well and not too much, exercise but not strenuously. What a pain in the ass!
But everytime I drop a link in the chain, I suffer. Just keep plugging. FM does improve with balance.
Dracoramm
I had read that weight loss improved symptoms. I was hoping to go back to work when I lost some weight. So here I am, 110 lbs down and I'm sad to say that since my surgery in November of 2009, the fibro is worse.
I did have to go on mega-doses of several nutrients because I was lacking and I admit, I feel better.
I refuse to quit looking. I know I don't sleep well so I'm going to get a two day sleep study. (I already know I had sleep apnea before surgery but can't stand the C-pap now at this lower weight).
I just had my first interview with a new sleep specialist and I have some symptoms of nacolepsy - a seizure like disorder where you fall asleep without warning. My father had it. They will be testing me for it when I go to the hospital.
When I weighed 290 pounds, my doctors blamed everything on my weight. So here I am, having had my guts rearranged and still have the same problems. The only difference is, now I'm taken seriously and my medical team and I keep searching for answers.
The symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency are also close to those of fibromyalgia, including pain and fatigue. The normal range for Bariatric patients is 40 and above. My level was 15. So now I take 50,000 units a week. My doctor says there is no danger from overdose so I take it whenever I take my calcium. (Vitamin D aids in the absorbtion of calcium) That's four times a day.
Exercise helps but too much exercise hurts. Keep moving but not too fast. My doctor says we were designed to walk. Not to sit and not to run.
Getting deep sleep is imperative. Some medical researchers believe that fibromyalgia is ultimately a sleep disorder and if you can get good sleep, it goes into remission.
It feels like I'm a juggler, trying to eat often but not too much, sleep well and not too much, exercise but not strenuously. What a pain in the ass!
But everytime I drop a link in the chain, I suffer. Just keep plugging. FM does improve with balance.
Dracoramm
Topic: RE: My dr's all said thry just plain give up
Hi, I have been a member of this forum for awhile, but I haven't posted for some time. I read your posts, and we have all been in your shoes at some point in time. It is so hard to get the right help. I can relate to when you said your hands don't move and just curl up. I sometimes feel like a person with Cerebral Palsy. (no offense to anyone, just the way my limbs sit). Sometimes they are paralized too. But, I want to tell you that I finally found a good med combo that took a long time to get. I had tried Darvocet, Vicodin, Cymbalta, for relief. I am now using the Duragesic Fentanyl pain patch and Norco (it is the strong version of Vicodin). I had gastric bypass, so I opted for the pain patch since it is absorbed through the skin, I don't waste it, like the pills. I take the Norco as a break through. I would have to take so many pain pills only to get relief for just a few hours; it was crazy. Before I found my combo, I too; was in bed for a long time, not able to move much or shower. It was horrible. Dr.'s don't understand when we have had weight lose surgery (I had RNY 4.5 yrs ago) that we absorb only have of our meds, vitamins etc, so they don't give us the amount that we really need to take. That is why I opted for the pain patch. So I hope that since you're in a pain or seeing a pain dr, that you can request these meds. I like the patch, I put it on and forget for 72hrs. Change your doctor, and tell them this is the combo you want to try. I finally had to tell the doctor what I wanted. They don't understand how deep the is.............they think a little Tylenol will make it better. Check out my profile and follow my journey. It is encouraging, so I hope I was able to help you with a medication combo. Best wishes to you.
Topic: RE: Fibromyalgia& WLS linked???
I had RNY in 2009 and 2 months later I was diagnosed with Fibro. I am 27 and can not function I am so tired hurt so bad. I am currently working full time but dont know how long I will be able to. I am taking Savella it helps a little but just not enough, I constantly ask my surgeon if there is a link he says no and thinks I am crazy since I say it's getting worse he said it should be better since i have lost some weight. My weight loss is very slow and disapointing, but I can NOT excerise it just hurts way to bad. Sorry I don't have more info
Topic: RE: Fibromyalgia& WLS linked???
Renee
Hi. My first question would be how are you sleeping? This was my biggest "trigger" for fibro.
It was like a vicious circle, no sleep, more pain, more pain caused bad sleep. I finally tried Cymbalta and have had fantastic results with it. For me there have been no other nasty side effects and i am travelling very well now. Diet is important though. Keeping a well balanced diet and cutting processed foods and sugars, i found very helpful.
My experience is one more of flare ups rather than a constant thing. You just need to manage it.
I have not had my WLS yet, (day after tomorrow) but my fibro was one of the reasons I chose it. Excersise is important, even gentle yoga is great.
I hope you find something to bring you relief, it can really get you down.
Lastly, I am a big believer in the power of thought. I choose not to think of myself as having fibro. It may sound a little silly, but i dont want my mind to manifest that "label".
These are the things that have worked for me and I was severe for many years, and now would class myself as mild on most days.
Good luck.
It was like a vicious circle, no sleep, more pain, more pain caused bad sleep. I finally tried Cymbalta and have had fantastic results with it. For me there have been no other nasty side effects and i am travelling very well now. Diet is important though. Keeping a well balanced diet and cutting processed foods and sugars, i found very helpful.
My experience is one more of flare ups rather than a constant thing. You just need to manage it.
I have not had my WLS yet, (day after tomorrow) but my fibro was one of the reasons I chose it. Excersise is important, even gentle yoga is great.
I hope you find something to bring you relief, it can really get you down.
Lastly, I am a big believer in the power of thought. I choose not to think of myself as having fibro. It may sound a little silly, but i dont want my mind to manifest that "label".
These are the things that have worked for me and I was severe for many years, and now would class myself as mild on most days.
Good luck.
Renee
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