Hi everyone! My name is Julie Souther, and I'm a 44 year old wife and mother of 3 beautiful daughters. Currently, I'm a 3rd grade teacher.
I've lived with chronic pain for over 15 years due to migraines, fibromyalgia and bipolar depression disorder. Over the past few months, my "flare ups" with pain have increased in quality and quantity. I have difficulty functioning on a daily basis whether it's going to an event for one of my children, doing housework, going out to see friends, traveling, or even taking a shower without pain. Also, I am in fear of losing my job due to numerous absences, because I could not get out of my bed.
About twice a month I have a flare up of painful symptoms that can last from 3-6 days before I can just enough to get through the day. I will wake up and feel as though I have been hit by a truck. I have terrible pain in my hands, feet, eyes, lower back, hips and legs. Oftentimes, the pain will move from one location to another in my body. I end up with a migraine and in bed for at least a few days. A few weeks ago, I missed an entire week of teaching because of the flare up and a visit to the ER with severe stomach pain and difficulty breathing. In addition, my blood pressure, even with medication, ranges between 165-185 daily for no particular reason. I have neck pain on the left side that will not go away, incontinence, no libido, and sensitivity to heat just to name a few of my symptoms. I've tried various medications, acupuncture, allergy testing, change in my diet, and even reiki, without any significant help.
This year I've had blood work completed that showed nothing concerning. This month I had an MRI on my brain and spine conducted by the MS Center of Atlanta, which showed absolutely nothing wrong. I had an EEG today and am waiting on those results. I'm at a loss and feel like a failure to my family and students. Each month is becoming more of a vicious cycle of flare ups, migraines and depression.
I've never had any physical trauma in my life to bring on these symptoms. There does not seem to be a specific trigger to my flare ups either. Currently, I am on Pristiq, Lamictal, and clonazapam for my depression. I take rizatriptam for migraines even though I've had botox and shots in the past. I am on Lyrica for the fibromyalgia. Do you have any advice or suggestions? I am willing to do anything to try and get back to somewhat of a normal life before all of this pain.