I have Fibromyalgia and Arthritis. It is just a fact of life that I live with everyday and on some days, I live with it more than others when you factor in I live in WA and it gets wet and cold.
In 2004 I began having issues with pain in my wrists, hands, back, hips, elbows and my doctor couldn't figure it out so off to see a Rheumatologist who said while I did not have Carpal Tunnel, I would benefit from a ergonomic keyboard. My 911 center had no problem with that or getting us new chairs.
The pain got to a point where I could not do my morning exercise routine due to pain in my back, hips and feet so off to see an amazing ortho. doctor I know and he sent me to a specialist that deals in Fibromyalgia.
By this time, my riding my bike daily or walking had been cut down to barely moving without pain and my feet well, that would take longer to diagnose.
It was determined I had Fibromyalgia and learned it doesn't go away, most of the medications they have for it are placebo because they do NOT help my pain and at the time I weighed 142 pounds and was wearing a size 10. NO!!! I was NOT over weight/obese!
Odd things then began happening:
2006- I broke my right Tibia and Fibula just walking! (I was told I probably had Osteoporosis but tested negative)
2007-Finally out of my cast, completed PT, moved to Washington and stepped over a curb and fractured my outer right metatarsal (back in a boot!)
2008- Broke the same metatarsal and this time my doctors told me I was just clumsy.
2009-Pain in my back that I have had for years was so horrific that towards the end of the school year, I began to drag my foot.
That year, I had 2 back surgeries...first to correct the damage to about 80% pain free. The second because after removing my stitches, my incision began to open itself back up! Yuup...that was fun! NOT!!!
2010-I fall on the ice and tear the ligaments in (you guessed it) my right leg!
I also found out I have Neuropathy in both my feet but an NOT a diabetic. (Neuropathy is better known as diabetic nerve pain!)
2011-It is discovered I have lost 80% of my hearing in my right ear and my left ear also has some hearing loss.
As you can see, I can go on as I have spent as much time since 2007 in a walking boot I swear as I have out of one!
At times in the mornings, I have to get out of bed and use my walker to move around for about 30 minutes or so because I hurt and am stiff, but I keep moving, one has to!
My Rheumatologist I have now just seems to do the same thing over and over again..draw blood, touch my hips, have me walk 2 feet one way and 2 feet the other writes me a script for an NSAID and a low level pain pill and says, 'contact me if you need renewal.'
We have NOT done a bone density scan since 2008. He does not discuss with me the fact that two of my fingers on my right hand are beginning to twist, it is as if, I am there for a prescription and nothing more with the exception that if I lost weight, I would feel better!
Well, I have lost 30 pounds and guess what? I has NOT helped with the pain, my feet are so bad at times, I shuffle, my right hip hurts so bad at times hubby told me it is time to see my regular doctor so she can order an XRay.
All I am saying, is doctors do not have all the answers, their medications do NOT stop everything or heal everything and weight loss while I understand I needed to lose pounds, is not always the miracle pill it is pushed to be!
Know your body. Know how it works and what helps and what makes things worse.
One thing I love is grapefruit juice and fresh grapefruit. However, if I have more than a small glass or half in a weeks time, I will get what is known as a 'Fibro Flare,' so grapefruit isn't my friend as much as I would love it to me. On the other hand, I can tolerate orange juice and oranges.
I am often times told, exercise will help and I know it does to a point, but I cannot do crunches...my back nor my Neurosurgeon will allow them. Everyone thinks crunches are the only answer, however, they are NOT for everyone.
I can't do a push-up, even in high school when I was at the top of my athletic game, I could not. So someone telling me to keep trying isn't going to make it happen.
I am looking forward to 2016 and becoming healthier, but I will do so on my terms and my bodies terms and I am NOT going to allow doctors who refuse to consult with each other on my care to dictate what will work for me and what won't.
I will give them the respect they deserve. I will listen with an open mind and I will modify things to my body and how it feels and I hope each of you does the same thing!
2 comments:
You are so right about doctors, there are very few that will take the time to really figure out what is wrong, as my retired nurse practitioner would say you are a zebra and they are taught how to deal with horses. I wish and pray that you will have a better 2016 in all ways. It is your body, not theirs and they have no idea of what it feels like to deal with many of the day to day trials you are dealing with.
you go girl. your know what works and doesn't
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