Autoimmune Diseases and Fatigue

Hi sorry for your pain.I'm Lioness ,have fibromyalgia ,30yrs,Triple bypass,cholesterol problem and L2fracture .My 2cents see a good rheumatologist, I adhere to natural meds Fibro Malic for fibromyalgia It has the magnesium in we need Use Epsom salts in tub bath.Tens unit for tight muscles,Ice at times ,heat at times Beside meditation I use Tapping ,you can learn more at Tapping.com don't overdo,when I do I can't do anything the next day.I couldn't take Lyrica o r Cymbalta so use Tramodol@Aleve together Good luck

Sounds like toxic problem more then fibro ,but agent Orange during Vietnam war wasn't funded either for a long time Fibro is diagnosed by trigger points 18 to be exact and symptoms of the person.

My brother had to much iron in his blood substitute him to the point he,s fall asleep on the phone.He had to give blood everytime good bank came around Its called Hemochromotosis

It is hard to pace yourself I know look into tapping.com It's like acupuncture without needles The website can explain it better then I can this is another tool for us

Just an idea, I periodically need Tylenol PM and it works but I started taking 1/2 pill and I don't have the morning issues. It's worth a try. Now I seldom take them but when I am restless I don't hesitate taking them. I, like you, am functional after a good nights sleep. With me it seems to be an overactive brain/mind......I keep thinking of things that aren't really relevant to anything important.

Is anyone taking Savella for fibromyalgia? I heard that worked well with fatigue. Today is the first day I am taking it. I am weaning off the Cymbalta. I have been on Cymbalta for years and I think my body is immune to it now. I am extremely tired and achy. I have other issues. I have Chronic Fatigue, that is why I started the Cymbalta. I was diagnosed about 23 years ago. I had my first child and had to do everything, got sick, mono, Epstein bar then had to quit my job. Went to university where they were doing research on CFS which was great because they tested me for everything possible and free, but wasn't getting help. Did a few trial meds but didn't know if placebo.....so mom said no more and got a dr. and Cymbalta was key. I got better, it went into 'remission' I was able to even have a second child. Wasn't working though, but a few years later returned to work. Then out of the blue diagnosed with MALS, my SMA and celiac arteries were narrowed from being encased by diaphragm fibers, blah blah, basicly it was smushing the arteries. Well major surgery, hospital for 7 days, on disability now. Can't recoup....the CFS back. I did also have major family stresses during this time which did not help at all.
So question is anyone taking SAVELLA and then the dosage is one in morning and one at night. I thought that odd since it is suppose to help keep you awake. Can anyone tell me anything about that? I will ask my dr as well but sometimes better to hear from people actually using it.
Thank you and good luck to everyone suffering with fatigue, it makes everything magnified even worse I think.

@johnwburns Hi, John. I have been diagnosed with a bunch of stuff, including Sjogren's and SICCA, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, all part of primary systemic hATTRwt . I know the truth about how much fatigue you can get with this stuff. The sad part is that most medical folks don't have a clue about it. I write on this line occasionally because it helps me think through the issues, whether it helps others or not I do not know. I suppose some folks think I am trying to show off what I know, but I don't give a rip about that. What I do know is that just trying to keep this stuff straight in my head, and deal with the effects, is very tiring. I even changed from CPAP to BiPAP, and it has helped some. I get so tired some days I cannot even walk around the house without my legs and back giving out. I do not ever expect to get rid of this stuff because the doctors around here don't have a clue, and I cannot afford to make another four month trip to Mayo. There is only one way out..

dear OldKarl: I know we have witten in the past but when i read your last post it was as though i was reading my health issues and pains. It is as though we are the same medically. It is not to often a person has all that we have. I have given up the Bi-Pap as it was still affecting my throat. I now sleep with many pillows and a bed that allows the control to adjust for up and down for both head and feet. I now can distinguish the difference between the pains from Rheumatoid and the Psoriatic arthritis. Have you gotten the anemia yet? Perhaps my age of 80 has brought this on but just in case be prepared. I do remember your being a senior. I know you have other affecting health problems as do I, but what a long list. Now the suffering from the incessant pains is really working bad on me. Anyway, take care and know that there are other people who do care. Peach

Hi Sandi let everyone know Arnica tea is good for pain . You can find it at Rite Aid I've lool dis-ese but couldn't find it Arnica is for pain ,whether tea or gel.

Hello @oldkarl,

You've been through a lot – a lot continues to happen – and I want you to know how much the Connect community appreciates all the insights and experiences you've shared.

We all have much to be thankful for (cliché, I know!), but then there is this illness, as you well know, which is chronic, relentless, imposing. Making sense, getting things together – things that have come so easily, now take so much time, and pain.
What I absolutely agree about is that it takes tremendous work, it can be draining, and it takes up unnecessary 'space' to "keep this stuff straight in my head, and deal with the effects," as you say. But, I also believe that the amount of space you allow your struggles to take is up to you. I admire your perseverance in "finding out the why" about your illness and, as I've noticed in later posts, a more "take it as you get it” attitude.

In all the misfortune or struggle that happens out there—to us, to those we love, to those we don't know — if we can find the capacity to hold compassion in our hearts, then I think we are that much closer to finding a way to ease the pain.
I've seen this so often within the Connect community, and in your messages, when you've reached out, shared and supported other members on Connect, @oldkarl. I sincerely hope you will continue to do so.