Thank you to those who gave me such a warm welcome to the group.
I have not been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I have, on the other hand, been living in pain for four years and no doctor has been able to diagnose or help me. I was doing more research last night and exploring fibromyalgia as a potential explanation. It seems that my pain is too localized for this to be the leading cause, but then there are other similarities that are too on target to ignore.
I have nerve and muscle pain in my hand, wrist, arm, shoulder and neck. It is exacerbated by essentially everything I do! I have been through countless physical therapy, seen many doctors, had a half a dozen MRIs, x-rays and nerve conduction tests, seen a chiropractor etc. I have found very few things that help make me comfortable. (massage, pain killers, ice and heat being the few, I take a high dose of cymbalta but I am not sure it really helps). I am seeing a new specialist in a few weeks and of course I am getting my hopes up. I sort of took a doctor "break" after seeing several this summer and being told to my face that I was drug seeking and that there was nothing they could do to help me. RANT! I should probably not get too excited.
I am 30 with 2 kids, ages 2 and 4. I am in grad school for library science. Typing and texting are two of the activities that are most irritating, but I have to type for school. If I am quiet on the board it is because I am saving my arm for my papers! I think my appearance as a healthy young active mother has caused some of these doctors to dismiss me, which is awful. Not to mention, no test ever shows a single thing wrong.
My husband is very supportive, but I also know he really has no idea what this is like. I am so frustrated and sad. I really HATE this and I want so terribly to feel better and not live life in pain.
That is my basic story. I would appreciate any tips on how to go into this next doctor and get the most out of it...and be taken seriously. Thanks for welcoming me even if I may or may not have Fibro!