New here

Support
1

Diagnosed in 2005, became worse in 2006 (think having West Nile made it worse).

Have pain a lot, usually in the back, shoulder blades, chest, and sometimes the hip (especially if I over do it. 'Over doing it' seems to be getting less an less). Do have pain caused by other reasons, including an old 1995 injury, I broke my foot in Jan this year (same foot), and arthritis in the lower back. Lately my left shoulder is hurting me. It's hard to know whether the pain is 'fibro pain' or something else, like a heart attack (think I've had all the symptoms they say a woman can have during a heart attack at one point or other. Some, like back and chess pain, are most often).

I'm allergic to a 'ton' of medicines and some food (wheat, eggs, tomatoes, and now peanuts), so finding a pain reliever is hard for me. I can use morphine, but only when in the hospital (pharmacies don't carry it). Some over-the-counter meds affect my asthma. This is quite frustrating for me (that and finding ANY medicine that I can tolerate. Trying find foods I can have and wanting those foods I used to eat (namely cakes, cookies, pizza (most things with wheat) and eggs (LOVED eggnog and french toast). It gets depressing.

I often itch, even though I don't see any rash (sometimes there is a rash). I sometimes feel as if I have a fever, but the thermometer doesn't agree with me

I can't do much. I don't do nearly what I used to do (even after I got Fibro and West Nile). Just don't have the energy for it. Wanted to go to an event tomorrow, but realized I don't think I could 'last' the eight-plus hours (with travel time), not to mention it starts at eight am (a little early for me to GET up, let alone to BE somewhere. Try to make appointments after ten am).

I also have depression. That and for over a month, I have been mourning the lost of my mom-in-law (more like a 'second mother' - for an adult). It was sudden, even though she was ill (Parkinson's, asthma and other issues). We thought she would recover one day and she was 'gone' the next, literally. It's getting easier to deal with, but some days (hours) are hard. This weekend may be hard on me (and family). It's Mother's Day and what would be her 59th wedding anniversary. She was a sweet lady. I sure 'got in the right lane for in-laws' (did the same for parents - sibling? The jury is 'out' on that one - LOL (relationship is better now than when children))

Any suggestions to help me

2

So sorry about the loss of your dear mother in-law. Stress seems to be a trigger in Fibro symptoms becoming worse for us. I know what you mean about not knowing if some symptoms are fibro related or something else. It seems if docs don't know what it is they will just throw it in the "fibro" category anyways, which really irritates me! My sil has problems taking meds, so I understand where you are coming from. She just had knee surgery and could only take tylenol!!! (because of her allergies to meds). I couldn't have handled that one!! It is good that you know your limitations and don't push "over doing it", because you will just suffer afterwards. I think just having all the problems you have is enough to make anyone depressed (I think most of us with chronic pain have some sort of problem with depression-how can we not??? It just depends on how we choose to handle it (counselors, meds) and everyone is different in how much they CAN handle. Do you have a doc that is helping you with your pain and depression? You may want to get hooked up with a support group to help you deal with the loss of your mil. You sure have alot going on and have to take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Maybe to help you and your husband through mothers day, you could get together with your husbands family and just have a "good" memory day of her....you said it was going to be her 59th wedding anniversary (so I am assuming that your father in law is still living?) so maybe you can do something to kind of "celebrate" that also. I know it will be hard, but sometimes talking about the person that has passed with the ones that loved her the most is the best way to handle the hardest days. Make a brunch and have everyone bring pics of her and enjoy the memories of all the years she was here to share them with you all. {{hugs}}

3

Yes, Jack is alive. He has dementia, which makes it harder. At least he understands she's gone. That would hard on my sil.

I have had surgery and taken NO meds at all. I guess I've 'gotten used to' pain more than I thought. But I had really bad back pain (scale 1-10? It was a 20!) where ALL I wanted was morphine. Never did get it. :(

Vicdyn did, but need benedryl for the (mild) reaction.

I'm not what/if any my hubby will do on Sunday. It sure makes me want to visit MY parents more. We do, usually once a week. I don't drive so it's harder for me get around (city does have special van services for the disabled, which I do use).

4

http://forum.livingwithfibro.org/forum/topics/how-to-save-money-on Here is a discussion that may be helpful to you, and I'll see what else I can find for you.

5

http://forum.livingwithfibro.org/forum/topics/help-for-low-income-americans

Dear Jacque,

So sorry that you suffer without pain meds, here are some possibly helpful links for you.

My heart is with you,

SK