X-rays

[melodystjames]

X-rays were taken of my hands and neck. It was an opportunity to find tangible evidence of why there is pain in those areas. There is pain elsewhere, everywhere, but my hands have gotten worse, and my neck is a long-term issue. In my latter teen years, my moms 3rd husband preyed on my fear of having my neck broken. So many tv shows had scenes of

Comments

[gyp0308]

I've been told I meet all the Fibro criteria, and that is what we shall treat it like. For the past few years, my ankles have been what I like to call "a hot spot" of mine. I hurt head to toe and experience issues with specific part of my body on and off all the time. But my ankles, for whatever reason - have been the most constant problem with firey and stabbing pain almost daily. Of course, when drawing attention to this with my doctor he too, ordered xrays. And guess what?! Normal.

How frustrating!!!!! I totally sympathize with you! Sometimes I wonder if Fibro is just the quick answer for anything that's not obvious enough to diagnose otherwise. I don't doubt I have it, based on all the symptoms. I meet the majority of them. But sometimes I can't help but to feel it's a "wishy washy" answer to a bigger problem. Fibro often co-exists with another issue - and at this point, I'm just waiting for the other issue(s) to rear their ugly heads.

Gentle hugs to you!

[melodystjames]

Wishy washy ... I like that. Yes, it feels ... bleh. A convenient label.

For the ankle pain .. has it been considered that sciatica might be involved? Since muscle tension is one of 'our' issues, the piriformis muscle (deep under the gluts, a hip-rotator) goes directly across the sciatic nerve. In some people, the nerve is actually going through the muscle. If this muscle gets tight (an ohhh does it!), the nerve can be inflamed or impinged. It can affect the thigh, side of the lower leg, the ankle, etc. Just a thought.

And, thank you! ^_^

[nightshade1972]

The biggest problem with fibromyalgia, from a diagnostic point of view, is that the only "tangible evidence" for it is the tender point exam. There are 18 tender points on the body. If you respond to at least 12 of them, when your doctor palpates those areas, you're considered to have FM. I responded to 15. Blood tests, xrays, etc won't show a thing.

I'm so sorry that your step-creature (I refuse to use the word "father" for someone who treats you like that) was so horrible to you. Keep reminding yourself that his behavior has absolutely nothing to do with whether you have a "real" disease or not. Your pain, alas, is real. All of us in this comm know that.

*Gentlehugs*

[melodystjames]

Step-creature ... ah ha! That is so perfect. It gave me a sense of release and a nice laugh. That has shifted my image, thank you!

*big smile*
!!

[nightshade1972]

It helped me a lot when I started referring to my parents as the Parental Units, or the Paternal/Maternal Unit individually. I was born with neurological issues; the FM came when I was around 19 or so. The Maternal Unit never let me forget that if I'd been conceived when prenatal testing for my neurological issues was available, and abortion had been legal back then, I wouldn't be sitting here now. Apparently I owe her a huge debt of gratitude just for allowing me to live. I don't think so! The Parental Units continue to profess total ignorance about why I can't stand to be in their company for any longer than I absolutely have to. Either they know exactly why, and they're faking it to try to gain sympathy, or they really are that clueless. Either way, parents who truly love their children don't treat them that way. Referring to them as the Units gives me some much-needed distance

[melodystjames]

Parental Units. Perfect. I was lucky. My mom utterly and totally loves me and my brother. She just made some poor choices in partners. However, like you, I use some distancing techniques in referring to 'her' family. I say "your mom, your sister" rather than saying my grandma or my aunt.

Always remember: You are far stronger than you might realize.

Especially now that you have such a "power" name ;)

[dodging_fate]

*hugs* Yeah, I've been there.

That you stand with a curve might have a LOT to do with it, though... if you can see a chiropractor I'd highly suggest it; 10 years of living in pain to the point of tears because of my lower back... crawling into the shower in the morning so I could stand up straight... and a 10 minute manipulation twice a month for two years has made that pain almost completely disappear (I now go 'as needed, though my neck needs it more often than I go because of damage from car accidents and giant boobs-o-doom).

Fibro as a new disease... well, the diagnosis is relatively new; before Fibromyalgia it as just called Neuralgia and considered a 'nervous condition'. My great grandmother had it. :(

[nightshade1972]

Have you thought about getting a breast reduction? If you can show a medical necessity for it (back problems, etc) these days some insurance carriers will cover the cost of the surgery. I've been trying to talk the Maternal Unit into the surgery for a while now. She's been seeing her GP for so long now, I'm certain he'd write her the note if she asked. Her biggest problem is that she's just afraid of surgery, period.

[dodging_fate]

I have an appointment in two weeks to discuss it actually, lol! I was waiting until I was done having kids (I grow a size each pregnancy) and my last kid (now 3) didn't need lifting in and out of the car any more so I can recover. Hoping to go from H/I cups back down somehwere in the Ds (preferably with only one or two of those letters, lol!) Right now my breasts weight between 20 and 25 lbs... that's a lot to carry around every day, and with Fibro the supportive structure of a bra that big hurts soooo badly.

[nightshade1972]

I believe you! The Maternal Unit is a double-D cup now. Like you, I think she got bigger with both of her pregnancies. There's a matrilineal history of back problems, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and cervical-spine issues in my family. The Maternal Unit got into a minor car accident when I was an infant, which further messed up her neck and back. She knows perfectly well her GP would write her a note for the surgery if she asked him to, but she'd rather whine about how much pain she's in than do anything constructive to try to fix it.

*Shrug*

Hope you can get your surgery!

:-)

[eightydollsyell]

It's hard to diagnose - but the pain is real it is frustrating to deal with when everybody thinks it is not!

also for your neck i'm sure the curve might be causing you additional pain (double pain is icky) - maybe physical therapy will help (how long it takes to help is another story).

I don't really have any other suggestions as this whole thing is new to me too and I'm learning how to deal more slowly than I would like.

[alicephilippa]

The pain is real, the fatigue is real.

Like you the fatigue is what knocks me off my feet. The pain is an issue, but that is mixed up with arthritis in my knees and right hip, and spondylosis in my neck. I certainly empathise with your description of how the fatigue feels like gravity has just gone through the roof. Everything just becomes difficult and, for instance, walking is like wading through treacle.

=^.^=