Autoimmune Diseases and Fatigue

I take Tramadol for leg cramps with great results and I don't know if that or Temazepam I take occasionally for sleep causes me to dream horrible dreams. Would like to stop these drugs but haven't found anything else to relieve my pain like these do.

What else have you tried?

Not really that many viable options out there for pain meds.

My oncologist met my reponse to its us for islet cell cancer with<br>a No from me. Check out the medicines uses, etc., also<br>side affects and interactions.<br><br>irvkay312<br>

About 7 years ago I was diagnosed with Celiac disease and 2 years ago I was told I have Sjogren's. Apparently it is not unusual for the 2 to go together. I have had these 2 problems for many years but the doctors just didn't figure it out. Long before Celiac was diagnosed, I had horrible bloating, cramps and tummy pain so bad that at times I couldn't stand up straight. Soon after I went gluten free that problem went away. John, have you tried that for your belly bloat? I also have chronic back pain which is another unrelated problem but not an insignificant one, and with dry mouth and eyes from the Sjogren's and then add in the back pain I would say I have "fatigue". There are days when I don't feel like doing anything but sitting. I am a dedicated quilter and when I get together with my quilting friends or when I am working on a project at home I feel so much better. My sewing room is my "therapy room". I think having a good hobby you enjoy and get together with friends is the best treatment anyone can have. Just my 2 cents.

Thanks but no "belly bloat" issues and have been checked for celiac.

With my fibromyalgia my extreme fatigue is at the root of my mental issues I deal with now. Short term memory not like it used to be, inability to carry on lengthy conversations/discussions, in ability to handle any form of stress, disassociation esp when out in public, & so many other tidbits that come back to my belief if I could get a strong arm the fatigue the mental issues would go away. Any suggestions out there for me?

Hi, Yes, fatigue pretty much skews your entire life. Everything is muted. Is fibromyalgia your primary or only diagnosis? Have you been evaluated of any other autoimmune or non-autoimmune conditions linked to fatigue, e.g. anemia, thyroid disease? I ask because fibromyalgia symptoms are often a subset of a broader syndrome. Its unlikely but low vitamin D can cause gritty fatigue and that is mainstream thinking now. Please don't start taking a lot of vit D with a blood level taken however.
Ever had a sleep study done? Poor sleep architecture and pain are joined at the hip.
Hope this helps.

I agree with getting a sleep study. Getting good rest helps fight the fatigue and the fibro pain. I have "fibro fog" - forgetful, distracted. I write lists a lot and jot down notes a lot. I always have pen and pad in my purse and also use "notes" on my phone. For me, too, the fatigue is the hardest to deal with. I can take pain and even struggle through it, but it is the debilitating fatigue that really gets me (though constant pain can cause fatigue). I had a sleep study and found I have restless leg syndrome (even my arms). I take trazadone to help sleep better now. I also have RA and Sojourne's and spinal stenosis with the fibromyalgia. I would be surprised if you don't have something else with yours. I also highly recommend a tempurpedic mattress. I don't work for them or anything like that. I just have one that has helped very much with getting better sleep. When I travel now, I will not stay at any hotel without such a mattress. It truly helps. I find either a warm Jacuzzi bath or warm massage shower before bed also helps. I also found that making sure I walk daily (no running) or swim helps. I have also found extreme heat makes me worse and extreme cold makes me worse.
Though I would love to live in Hawaii, I live in Texas where it has been over 100 for several days. I find I have to walk at the mall so I remain inside where it is cool or I go swim. The only thing I can really do outside in the heat is swimming. I hope some of this has helped or will help you. After a while, you will learn what causes a flare for you and how to manage it all better.

Thank you for your story! Among everything else, I too am affected by extreme temps. We recently moved from the humid midwest to the dryness of the Rockies. The humidity was difficult for me no matter what the temp was. I am currently lining up a new dr for where we have moved to, so maybe more help will come my way. Best of wishes to you!

Thank you! So far fibromyalgia is my only diagnosis.........heart, thyroid, anemia, respitory all checked out fine. I am currently in search of a new doctor in the area we have recently moved to, so maybe more issues can be found/treated. I will ask if a sleep study might assist me/dr in discovering what else is at root. Once again, thanks!