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Fibro diagnosis, lots of pain, scared I may have an ai issue too
Brief history: suffering from joint and muscle pain, swelling, hair loss, tingling sensation is hands and feet, horrible pain in knees, ankles and elbows, burning pain in shoulders and legs. Been to a local rheumatologist after having a low positive ana. Started me on predisnone and I felt great. He ruled it as inflamatory. Almost 3 years later, still no real diagnosis. Went to Penn Presbyterian University Hospital for a second opinion. The pa said I have fibro and not enough evidence to prove inflammatory. She made me stop the arava I was on and take amitriptlyne. The arava must have been helping more than I realized. Coming off it, I am in horrible pain. Went back to the second rheumotologist and she said give it more time and increased the amitriptlyne. 2 weeks later I am still in extreme pain, exhausted and confused. I did start aqua therapy which helps me feel good in the pool. I don't know if I should get a third opinion. The second rheumy said I could have ulcerative colitis induced inflammatory pain but my uc is in remission since 2012. I have had a low grade fever off and on for the past month. She said I could have had the flu. I feel like a hamster running around the wheel and getting no where. Sorry for the long post, I am just scared, confused and tired of not feeling good.
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@jJustinmMcClanahan, having leg and tingling electrical pains in my lower legs again and considering going back on gabapentin. But I can't remember why I hated that drug and was so glad when leg pains stopped for a year or so. Will look at your link again. Virtuous 69
I have suffered from chronic pain for 35+ years and have been on both gabapentin & lyrica. I also had no relief on the gabapentin & others at my pain clinic often reported the same thing. I was also on the maximum amount of lyrica and started falling quite often. My family doc had just been at a seminar the night before and had learned that it was a side effect of the drug so he reduced my dosage while I waited to see the pain doc. I found that my pain level never changed so over time I stopped taking it completely. The end result was that it was costing me $10,000 a year and there was no difference in my pain level so it was useless all of that time. It is often described as the best drug available but it didn't help me at all. I certainly hope that your experience is far better than mine. I know of a second person who found the same thing but we all process meds differently so you may have better success than I did. Since that time I have learned to be very aware of my pain level at all times. I am also on medical marijuana & I just found that the that was recommended for my pain & inflammation does not cover either of those issues so I am waiting for a new type to be available next week. The oil that. I use for night works far better but it makes me too sleepy to use in the day. This may be another choice for you depending on where you live.
I understand. How are you now?