Tuesday, March 15, 2011

I have what?

Life is really good right now. I am enjoying my trainer and exercising. The end results is so worth it. I always finish feeling great. Even when I am hurting it just shows me the power of exercise and endorphins. Please don't let the pain stop you from exercising.
I have been hesitant to write about my visit to the arthritis doctor. I had to ponder the diagnosis, in fact I am still working on it. The good news is that I don't have RA. Thank you Lord. I am so relieved to get that information. What I have has been going on for about twenty years or so. I have been to so many doctors about it and never found any solution. I have had physical therapy, taken muscle relaxants, acupuncture, chiropractic, massages, and even put horse liniment on my joints. I am telling you I have tried it all.

I stand corrected in that RA can go into remission. Seems mine has been healed. A great blessing from God. Every inch of my bones was x-rayed and five tubes of blood taken for tests, and a urine test. After telling him of my history, he did an exam on my body. Bending and twisting arms, legs, head, feet and hands and then he did something I have never experienced before...He hit some hot spots on my body that felt like a bolt of lightening. Pressure points is what he called them. Ouch! That hurt!

While I have given it some thought in the past, I never believed I had this syndrome until today. I have seen people with this and they are so incredible tired and depressed and in immense pain. Not me, I could talk myself out of that diagnosis, but somehow all the pieces fit together and made a lot of sense.

Other symptoms include memory loss and trouble concentrating, stomach problems, sleeping problems, depression, wide spread muscle pain, flu like symptoms, fatigue, mood changes, headaches, restless leg, numbness and swelling of the joints, changes in pain related to weather change, stress or physical activity. In the old days it was called Rheumatism. Today it is called Fibromyalgia.

I didn't believe it until all of the symptoms made a lot of sense. What causes it? The cause is unknown, but is thought to be due to abnormalities in the central nervous function, leading to an amplification of normal pain signal. It is as if the volume control is set too high in the nerves in your body so things that wouldn't cause pain in most people do cause pain in people with Fibromyalgia. It can present itself with other forms of Arthritis. The doctor said that I have Osteoarthritis.

A lot of problems arise when you don't sleep well. I never got into REM sleep ever until I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. In fact, I never got past stage one sleep and I quit breathing several hundred times a night. It's a wonder that my body could not heal. I felt like a walking Zombie all the time. Medication for this varies. I opted for something that diminishes the pain and will help me sleep. It should all make sense to me because I have always been a sensitive person. It was like I was in over load all the time an could not calm down. Thanks to therapy, exercise and medication I am feeling "normal" (what ever normal means) for the first time in a long time. And for that I am very grateful.

15 comments:

The Bear's Blog said...

Yippee, now we can back to having some fun. (o:

Heaps of Hugs
Prudence

M says "thanking God and blessings to you." (o:

Gail said...

HI PAM-

although I am sorry you have a diagnosis for illness there is an odd sense of relief in knowing. I recallwhen I was diagnosed with MS, I knew something was wrong for a long time - and I finally had a reason and a direction to. sigh....
I keep exercising and moving too - it is SO important just like you said.
keep onkeeping on my friend.
Love Gail
peace....

DeEtta said...

Kudos to you for your positive attitude and sticktoitivness. You are amazing. I'll bet it is a relief to know what you have. Excerise is good for anything that ails you. Sending {{{{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}}} as you continue on your wellness venture.

Xmichra said...

I am so happy that you have found out what is 'wrong' and also have found solutions that work for you and your life style!!

I don't think that it's a small coincidence that you are a positive person, and that positive thinking will help you through your medical issues.

You keep up your great attitude, the way you have embraced the changes in your life, and the light you keep giving to others Pma. You are TOTALLY worth it!

Sandee said...

Normal is good and I'm so glad you are feeling better both physically and emotionally. That will do wonders for you all around.

Have a terrific day. Big hug. :)

Anonymous said...

Big Hugs. I have fibromyalgia too. I was diagnosed about 15 years ago and was greatly relieved. I thought I was going crazy... not that I'm not a little crazy.. but you know what I mean :)

Rudee said...

I think illnesses like these are likely viral in origin. Keep fighting the good fight as I believe attitude is 99% of success when dealing with issues like this. You can choose to let a diagnosis like this define you, but then that's not fighting, that's giving into what you may think is inevitable. Not so! It's only that way if you choose to allow that.

Nessa said...

I am glad you kept looking for a solution and you were open to the help. Sometimes it takes a while. i am glad you are feeling better.

larkswing said...

Finding that out has to take the wonder off your mind - relieve some burden. I saw your list of things you have tried, and I don't know if there is one in your area, but I tried a reflexologist last year for severe sinus pain.While there I mentioned how the joints in my fingers hurt so bad some days. She talked about what all reflexologist help with, and how it works on the nervouse system, while she worked on my hands. F.M. was one of the diagnosis' that she worked with, helping ease the pain. My hands have only slightly hurt once or twice since my visits. Again, I know you have tried the other, stuff, but I was so impressed with how much better I felt after 2 visits I want everyone to at least try it :)

Keep on keeping on - you are doing wonderful!

Ferd said...

You sound very positive about this whole thing, Pam, and I think your positive attitude will take you far!

I'm glad you are enjoying the exercise and your trainer. Anima sana in corpore sano!

Travis Cody said...

Going from treatment to treatment without real relief can be exhausting. But now it seems as though your doctor knows exactly how to treat exactly what your condition is. So I suspect you'll feel better and better as each day passes.

And that is excellent not only for your physical well being, but also for your mental health.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I agree Pam about excercise...I run and hike and love the feel afterwards. It helps me stay positive. I'm so glad you're finding that out too. And I'm cheering that you don't have RA.Yo8're sounding so good...I love that. Stay strong.....

Akelamalu said...

I so agree with you about exercise. Glad to hear you're feeling better.

Just Be Real said...

Dear one I am so very sorry for your diagnosis. I often wondered if I suffer as well from fibromyalgia. but, I am not going to claim it. Here listening and supporting you dear one.

Just Be Real said...

Came back by to give you another hug dear one. ((((Pam))))