It's Official
My rheumatologist diagnosed me with fibromyalgia yesterday. I'm a little freaked out. Partly because she absolutely refused to give me any hope that things will change in the forseeable future. That kind of ticks me off. If I understand FMS correctly, attitude and motivation are an important part of recovery. But, as the doc said, I am at the front end of this thing, and I guess there is some wisdom in not expecting miracles.
To back up a little and update (btw I'm going to use LJ to document my progress for later reference), my condition has worsened in the last two weeks. I become completely rigid during the night and am unable to change positions. I have an extremely hard time sitting up from a prone position (I got stuck on my couch this week for a few minutes, on my back, arms and legs flailing the air, unable to lift any part of me off the cushions). It can also be hard to pull myself into a standing position from a sitting one ... getting out of my car requires me to swing both legs out (usually by using my hands to pick them up and move them), and then taking a few breaths before forcing myself up with a loud grunt. In the mornings, everything is stiff. To shower, I have to just rinse since I cannot apply a washcloth to myself with any kind of pressure at all. Drying is similar ... I can slap the towel around, but cannot rub myself down. My hair must be washed and dried in an evening when I have some mobility, because in the morning it's not possible to put my arms up to my head. I just washed my hair today after four days of not ... yuck. Getting dressed is also a problem. My bra presents a real battle.
This week, the problem moved into my legs. They have been very stiff, with the left one almost rigid at the knee. Walking starts out like a 90 year old, but can become a little better after I've gone a few yards.
Those are the physical facts. The emotional side is that since I live alone, I am looking at an inability to do the most basic things for myself. I didn't think I'd have to worry about anything like that for a couple more decades. I'm scared to death, sometimes.
Anyway, yesterday, the doc gave me some lidocaine patches to put on my painful areas, and I now have muscle relaxers to keep me from going rigid when I sleep (wonderful!!!!!) However, once they wear off, if I am still in bed, I go all stiff again. I learned last night that I need a higher dose, and I need to take them later so they don't wear off at 2am.
Onward and upward: I'm starting to read up on the condition. I'm looking for techniques to beat it, as well as just live with it. Exercise, supplements, energy work .... I'm into it.
Treasure your health. Take care of your body. Get a lot of exercise.
To back up a little and update (btw I'm going to use LJ to document my progress for later reference), my condition has worsened in the last two weeks. I become completely rigid during the night and am unable to change positions. I have an extremely hard time sitting up from a prone position (I got stuck on my couch this week for a few minutes, on my back, arms and legs flailing the air, unable to lift any part of me off the cushions). It can also be hard to pull myself into a standing position from a sitting one ... getting out of my car requires me to swing both legs out (usually by using my hands to pick them up and move them), and then taking a few breaths before forcing myself up with a loud grunt. In the mornings, everything is stiff. To shower, I have to just rinse since I cannot apply a washcloth to myself with any kind of pressure at all. Drying is similar ... I can slap the towel around, but cannot rub myself down. My hair must be washed and dried in an evening when I have some mobility, because in the morning it's not possible to put my arms up to my head. I just washed my hair today after four days of not ... yuck. Getting dressed is also a problem. My bra presents a real battle.
This week, the problem moved into my legs. They have been very stiff, with the left one almost rigid at the knee. Walking starts out like a 90 year old, but can become a little better after I've gone a few yards.
Those are the physical facts. The emotional side is that since I live alone, I am looking at an inability to do the most basic things for myself. I didn't think I'd have to worry about anything like that for a couple more decades. I'm scared to death, sometimes.
Anyway, yesterday, the doc gave me some lidocaine patches to put on my painful areas, and I now have muscle relaxers to keep me from going rigid when I sleep (wonderful!!!!!) However, once they wear off, if I am still in bed, I go all stiff again. I learned last night that I need a higher dose, and I need to take them later so they don't wear off at 2am.
Onward and upward: I'm starting to read up on the condition. I'm looking for techniques to beat it, as well as just live with it. Exercise, supplements, energy work .... I'm into it.
Treasure your health. Take care of your body. Get a lot of exercise.