Yorkie Kids,
My Dr. sent me to a rheumatologist and he was the one that DX'd my fibro. There are 18 trigger points they check for fibro. These trigger points, when presssure is applied, causes pain to the patient. Fibromyalgia causes wide spread pain in muscles, fatigue and impaired concentration. They can do blood work to check for arthritis but there isn't a blood test for fibromyalgia. I wish you the best of luck.

Fibro & Lupus
 

Hi all, wow, what a great group! I'm 55 yrs young (laugh) and I've had lupus and fibro since around 1985 (at least that's when they finally diagnosed it!). Since then I have diabetes, gurd, PSVT attacks, and numerous other things. I look much better in person, then I do on paper at the Dr's office! LOL
The prednisone abour ruined my eyes, so didn't stay on that for very long. Now I take Cybalta (helps my legs a lot! and yes my nerves too!), Motrin 800 mg., and Flexeril once in a while. They told me not to take much of the Flexeril while on the Cymbalta, because it puts too much seratonin in your system.
I have the brain fog also, which is a real big pain! I forget to eat my meals, and take my pain medicine. NOW, most people would call that a special breed of stupid, but those of you with the problem, know what I'm talking about. NO, I'm not skinny, like you would probably think -- I need to get rid of 40 pounds! I did when I was walking two years ago, but haven't had many good days since then.
Sorry, didn't mean for this to end up a novel!!! Just great to hear from others like myself. Gentle hugs for sure, as hard ones hurt!!! So do those slaps on the butt!!!
Oh yeah, love my Yorkies! We have 3 little ones underfoot right now also - they are 8 weeks old today! Sometimes, when I'm hurting really badly, they get to be a bit much! BUT, I still love them!:aimeeyork

Your group about Fibro
 

I joined your group, but it doesn't show that I joined, and I can't figure out how to reply to any of the messages. :confused:

You need to go into the social group section and then click on a thread you would like to reply to. I hope I see you there, let me know if you have anymore trouble.

Glad to hear from you Motherhen. I know what you mean about the brain fog, boy on some days I can't tell which way is up..LOL and thanks for the gentle hugs because I totally agree those big ones sure hurt on some days. I am on the Cymbalta and Flexeril too and both of them work well for me and I need to lose about 40 pounds also if I could walk like I use too it wouldn't be to difficult. Have a good day. Gentle Hugs.

Sleeping
 

Does anyone else have trouble because of insomnia? I'm lucky to get 2 hours a night, and then maybe a 2 or 3 hour nap, late morning. I don't know if it's because of the Fibro,; Lupus; or menopause, but I'm really getting exhausted! Sure doen't help the brain fog any either! I've tried so many prescription sleep aids, but none seem to help. The best thing that was recommended to me from my Dr. was, taking a benedryl pill. That helps sometimes, for which I'm grateful. :sleep:

When I was on my walking routine, I felt so much better. I didn't seem to make the fibro or lupus any worse either. But now, between pain & tired, I just can't seem to get the walking done! Hopefully this Spring I'll be able to again.

Yes, I have problems with insomnia. The doctors tried Ambien, Lunesta, and one other that I can't remember. My Psychiatrist finally got me on Seraquel and Tamazapan. The first time I took those two together, I slept 15 hours. It was amazing.

Oh boy do I know what you mean with insomnia!! I take imovane and trazadone to help me sleep (the mix seems to do the trick) although if I'm particularly in alot of pain I'll throw in a graval or muscle relaxant....
I got a new proscription a few days ago and the pharmacist was very seriously cautioning me to be careful because he said it causes serious drowsiness. I told him it probably would on me and he gave me the whole spell again... I took it and not even a tired eye LOL.
Over the years I've found the best thing to help me sleep is a routine and some time by myself before bed to relax and unwind (write in a journal watch TV go on YT etc...)
Whenever you can't sleep just come on here :p

Do you find your sleep troubles come in cycles, like the more tired you are the less you can sleep?

Let's laugh about it... tell me some story about one of your friends/co-workers telling you about how they only got six or seven hours of sleep:D I try to think of myself as a superhuman I can go without or with very little sleep for at least a week before I totally crash LOL

I work in an office and the fibro - fog has gotten to be a big problem. I have a hard time remembering things and am also forgetting to take my insulin when i am suppose to so my sugars are way up!! My hands and legs hurts so bad and my legs swell. Does anyone else have swelling problems?:confused:

OH, that is sooooo true! I can be so drained and body is exhausted, but STILL can't sleep.
I play games on Pogo.com to help keep my brain active, but haven't done that much yesterday or today, because of this wonderful group!
My hubby, is a huge grouch if he doesn't get his 7 hours of beauty sleep! I tell him how blessed he is to be able to get that many in a row! A friend of mine complains if she doesn't get 8 hours every night. Says she can't function right, to get her stuff done! OH HELLO!!! :p:D

I'm sorry you are in so much pain! Big soft hug to you from me! I so think the Yorkie is the perfect dog for someone in pain...they are small and light so they don't hurt too much if they snuggle up. Also they are so intuitive and know when to snuggle and when to lay at the bottom of the bed. And they are so much fun, you can just watch and forget your troubles. Oh also they don't need long painfull walks...I could go on and on. Any other reasons you can all think of?