Has Anyone Else Ever Had This Happen to Them?

I can help you - several people I know have had this - there is hope. Call me at ###-###-####. J. F.

This hasn't happened to me, but I worked for a chiropractor/nutritionist for 5 years. I saw this condition in some people that came in and have seen good results with proper chiropractic care and nutritional supplements. Have you thought about seeing a chiropractor? They usually do a free consultation and let you know if they think they can help.

I'm sorry for what you are going through Shelly. I also have fibro and RA and osteo. I have a dazed feeling and some problems remembering things. My rheumotologist has told me that is called "fibro fog" and is very common. My right leg and right arm are much weaker and give out sometimes. In fact some days I cannot even pick up a gallon of milk with my right hand. Do you know that feeling you get when you hit your "funny bone".... that deep tingling achy pain? I have that constantly on my right arm and my wonderful (but not very understanding rheumotologist) just says "it's all part of the combination of diseases, just stick it out". I don't know who your doctor is, but good luck finding one that understands. I'm so sorry you are trying to hold it together on your own. Some days I can barely function, despite being on multiple medicines. You can contact me personally if you want to talk to someone who can truly relate. You are in my prayers.

My friend has the same symptoms as you only add in a speech difficulty. She finally went to the Dr. after having them for four weeks and they told her she had had a mini stroke affecting mostly the part of her brain that controls her speech abilities. I would definitely go to a neurologist. You may have had a mini stroke. I wish you luck and as they are with my friend, my prayers are with you .

My daughter is 18 and has been diagnosed with RA and fibromyalgia since she was 14. Her doctor suggested joining Curves as that was a no-impact exercise. It has worked for her, less symptoms and better attention to things outside of her pain because the pain in minimal now. She works out at Curves 3 x a week and walks the three days inbetween with Sundays a day a rest from exercise. The research we did showed regular exercise will help. But if you stop again, all symptoms will come back.

My daughter has the same symptoms and going to the neurologist was the best thing
that happened that started turning it around for her. It always helps to have some new
eyes look at a disease. My daughter also went to a naturopath and got some natural meds
and vitamins to take in addition to the standard drugs given by her M.D.s This has also
proven VERY helpful, as it is building her immune system and overall general good health.
She now feels the best she has felt in years! I wish the same for you too!!!

Oh yes, Fibromyalgia has many crazy symptoms!It affects people in many different ways also. It sounds like your doctor is on top of things by sending you to a neurologist though.

Hi Shelly,
The good thing about having Fibromyalgia is that it is not life threatening. However, it is sometimes hard to pinpoint and diagnos. It could be something else as some have reported here. In any case, go to this link at the Mayo Clinic. It will help answer many many of your inquiries and you will feel much better about it after reading and knowing more. Good luck to you, and remember, there is treatment. It doesn't have to be all drugs either.... according to the information this gives.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079/DSE...

Hi Shelley....I have a friend who has fibromyalgia,and another one who has rheumatoid arthritis..Although the pain and stifness can be a pain,there are medications that really make a whole lot of difference..The friend with arthritis has had it since a very young girl..Now,she is a 44 year old with a child and is managing..Some days are better than others,but she really does try to keep it under control..The symptoms your experiencing I've heard my friend complain of also..I'ts not as scary as it seems..Like I said,some days are better tnan others..Ther'es more good days though..Honestly,starting a walking program would help out a lot.It will keep the muscles and joints flexable and let me tell ya,it does wonders for ones mood.ha,ha...I think it's great your taking advice from your doctor..And PLEASE keep your chin up Shelley!!!!! I know it seems kinda scary,but it's more of a neusance than a SERIOUS problem...God Bless Ya...And Take-Good-Care of yourself!!!!!!!!

Shelly,
YES and you'll never guess what it was, because the doctors at Mercy here in OKC (you know, where they supposedly have such a great neurology dept.?)couldn't figure it out after a hospital stay of 8 days and 4 MRI's. INTERNAL SHINGLES. I had never heard of such a thing, but when I first went into the ER, my symptoms were a tingling behind my left eye, and stroke like symptoms (I literally could not use my left leg) and I was nauseated. It progressed to terrible vertigo and I couldn't lift my head up off the bed. They admitted me and the ER doc had told my husband at first that it looked like "some sort of shingles or Bell's Palsy onset." I had one doctor ( a neurology specialist) tell me I had had a stroke. Another came in right behind him and told me NO WAY. Long story short, I ended up being released with no clear diagnosis, a total of 5 doctors who could not agree, and then went to another one the next day after I was released who ran tests for the onset of MS. (Negative.) Went to my family doc, an internist, and took my medical stuff with me from the hospital-- reports, and MRIs, etc. and he looked it over and told me within about 5 minutes that it was internal shingles. He described my symptoms to me rather than the other way around. I spent those 8 days in the hospital not knowing WHAT was wrong, but was never so scared in my life. If you need any other information, please contact me and I will be glad to tell you more. Good luck. I had never heard of internal shingles until it happened to me, and those symptoms can stay with you for years.
C.

Hi,

I have the exact same conditions. I am seeing my 4th RA doctor, the first 3 did not seem to understand all my symptoms. My doctor tested me for vitamin D and he found that I was absorbing almost no vitamin D and NO calcium. He put me on a prescription vitamin D of 50,000 IU a week for 2 months and all the problems of feeling dazzed, memory loss (short term) and tingling in my arms and legs as well as the movement issues went away. I was put on an anti-seizure medication first. Always listen to your doctor but here is what I ended up doing and it helped. I am no longer on the anti-seizure medication.

I of course am on an anti-depressant, mobic, and few other things during the day. I won't go in to detail but I'm on 5 medications to put me to sleep and allow my body to get a full deep sleep of 8 hours. If you would like to know the names of the other medications, please send me a personal message and I will tell you. It took several tries to get it right with me but I'm so much better now.

S.

Hi Shelly,
I had this happen to me in 1991. I went undiagnosed until June, 1992. My GP hit it right on the head, but I still had to have many tests. I have Multiple Sclerosis. Your symptoms bring back LOTS of memories. It is an aweful, uncurable, life-long disease with lots of things coming & going. One day I walk just fine, the next..? I have lost most of my short-term memory. People think it's because I'm old (42). My family moved to Mena in 2004, I was hospitalized Aug., 2005, taking new Rx.
I know you want to hear something from the neurologist. Don't be surprised if spinal tap &/or MRI end up in your future. I don't know if you have MS, but a lot of people like Montel Williams, Terri Garr, Annette Funicello, have succomed to it. I will be praying for you, hoping you get an answer.
I have a 7 yr. old son and am married 19 years in Sept.
K. J

You dont say whether you are taking medicine for your Fibro, but I also have that and was on Lyrica for awhile. The Lyrica actually gave me all those symptoms. I was fine after I got off Lyrica. I hope it is something as simple for you. I will keep you in my prayers.

My mom experienced similar symptoms a couple of years ago. It turns out that she had a mild stroke (brought on by diabetes, we think.) Those symptoms have resolved themselves.
She also suffers from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, so she deals with the fogginess, etc. I really sympathize with you. It's good that you are promptly seeking medical care so the source can be determined and addressed.

Not me but, my sister has suffered with that disease for several years. It is heart breaking to watch her in that muuch pain. When we talk, she tends to stop talking for awhile so she can gather her thoughts as to the next thing to say. It reminds me some of someone who has had a stroke. She has been to alot of doctors and done alot of therapy. Her first step to sanity was to learn about fibromyalgia. Once she got a grip on what it was, she understands her symptoms and how to deal with them better. It was a scary thing at first. She never heard of fibromyalgia. She is doing better and so is the family, now that we know "what it is and how to help her cope."
We will be praying for your empowerment over this devastating condition. My mom always said "All is Well". Great Spiritual wisdom she had.
God Bless You. Keep looking up. It Does Get Better.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia eight years ago. In addition to the pain and swelling in my joints, I felt slow all the time - not dazed, just sluggish.

The really interesting thing is that when I stopped using Depo-Provera for birth control, my fibromyalgia symptoms completely disappeared, and have never returned.

Shelly,

Fibro and RA can do all sorts of things to the body. See the neurologist and I'm sure he will do extensive testing on you, such as an MRI or Cat Scan. I have MS and RA is slowly setting in, especially my hands and legs. When our nerves have a flare up, it may not show on the outside but we sure feel it inside. Take the Fibro and RA one day and one step at a time. I hope your flare ups are few and far between. If you are put on medications, demand the clinical studies of each medication and learn the side effects. I wish you the best and will pray for you and for your daughter, she will be a part of this too.

J. Blue Star Mom, Proud Army Mom