Input please, support

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
says...

Quoted message said:

I also started a new med. Just took it one day. Vioxx. Maybe it ulcered my
stomach.

I'm sorry to hear you are having so much (SCARY) trouble!

{{{{{{{{{ SUNSHYNE}}}}}}}}}}

Vioxx is VERY strong stuff and can, indeed, cause stomach problems.

--
Saffire
205/149/125 - 5'1.5"
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
says...

Quoted message said:

From: "PlacidBull"

Quoted message said:

ah, ... has it ever been suggested before that perhaps you suffer from
hyperchondria?

The physical symptoms are always real, but might be "normal" physical signs
which are misinterpreted as more dangerous than they really are.

Quoted message said:

Placid

Placid. There are also others that have a diagnoisis of Fibromyalgia also in
here. I would like the others with the same illness as me, to step up to the
plate on this one. We are not hyperchondiacs. I am sure there are a few of them
out there though, that fit the description you gave.

I have been diagnosted by a rheumatologist as having fibromyalgia. I don't think
my case is as strong as Sunshyne's, but I don't doubt it as a diagnosis. I was
ALREADY treating OTHER things with the same recommendations the rheumatologist
gave me for the fibromyalgia, so the diagnosis didn't have much of an impact on
me other than to frustrate me as to it's vagueness. Sunshyne was also recently
in a car accident (and had one a few years ago, as I recall), and has some very
REAL injuries to deal with, an being overweight only makes things worse.

It never ceases to amaze me how people who are NOT afflicted with multiple
medical problems so blythely dismiss those who are. I had an (older) allergy
doctor once say he thought it was all in my head because I had too many physical
problems for someone my age. I pointed out that I had a) fallen down some
stairs, which led to chronic back problems, exacerbated, no doubt, by the fact
that my right leg is 3/4" shorter than the left one and the right foot is two
FULL sizes smaller than the left one AND only has 4 toes on it, b) had wrist
injuries that required SURGERY, and c) took several medications (including some
prescribed by HIM) that not only gave me severe dry mouth, but also dried out my
sinuses, leading to frequent sinus infections, which was why I was there to see
him that day. How can fever and pus be considered due to hypOchondria? That
shut HIM up and he DID prescribe an antibiotic. Sheesh! HE was the one who told
ME that I was "super allergic" based on the tests HE administered, and said that
I should never have a pet of any kind with fur or feathers because even if I
WASN'T allergic to it at the time, I would BECOME allergic to it within 6 months.
Of all the trees and grasses he tested me for, I was more than a little allergic
to all but two of them. He couldn't believe I had waited so long to be tested
for allergies.

Some people have autoimmune problems and some people don't. I happen to be one
who DOES. I AM more sensitive in some areas than others because of that. I can
often sense low-level earthquakes when others cannot -- I can sense when a floor
in a room is not level when others do not. Low-grade fevers REALLY knock me for
a loop, causing EXTREME fatigue. I had a lupus antibody detected back in 1991
during a ANA panel when an immunologist at Stanford was trying to rule out
autoimmune problems regarding the acute pain in my wrist. Why did I eventually
go to a rheumatologist? It wasn't MY idea -- another doctor referred me based on
my sensitivities, just to rule some things out. I was very surprised when the
rheumatologist told me she thought I had fibromyalgia based on (I think) 11 out
of 18 specific symptoms. I've had one doctor think a specific pain was no big
deal and another doctor say they couldn't BELIEVE I had waited so long to see
someone about the very same pain. I long ago realized that most doctors are
incredibly bored with what they perceive as average, unremarkable problems,
especially if the cause isn't obvious, and they really only perk up when someone
comes in with something dramatic and obvious, like an arrow through the forehead.

Pain from chronic joint inflammation is VERY real. Bleeding from the rectum is
CERTAINLY VERY real. People have different levels of tolerance for pain and
illness for a myriad of reasons, and that's a fact. You know what I wish on my
one TRUE enemy, the only person in the world that I really, truly HATE? Death?
No. Acid in the face? No. Stab or gunshot wounds? No. Terminal illness? No.
What I wish on her is every chronic physical problem *I* have ... and just a
*little* bit more.

--
Saffire
205/149/125 - 5'1.5"
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 17:29:49 GMT, "PlacidBull" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Yes, Sunshyne,

My doctor friends have told me that the medical profession uses the term
fibromyalgia as a code word to signify patients who are suffering from
hypocondria.

Whenever someone tells them that they have been diagnoised with
fibromyalgia, the medical professional's response is ... hmmm ... yes ... I
understand.

Placid

Well golly gee. You know what? Hypoglycemia was also a code word for
hypochondria in years past. And a low carb diet is still considered
lunatic by mainstream physicians. You can also add PCOS and Syndrome
X to the list of code words for hypochondria until enough was learned
to stifle the ignorant clods who had made life miserable for suffering
patients i need of support and treatment. Just goes to show that
stupidity and ignorance is time tested. Sounds like you and your
doctor friends are closed minded creeps that could use a mental enema.
Oh, and I mean that in the nicest possible manner.

Dear Sunshyne,

Take a look at Miryam Williamson's fibromyalgia page.
http://www.mwilliamson.com

She also includes a page full of links to other fibro information
http://www.mwilliamson.com/links.htm

While following your doctor's directions keep in mind that a high
fiber low-carb regimen along with daily aerobic exercise will probably
be helpful in the long run despite the pain exercise causes. Find a
way to keep moving (pun intended) so you avoid the Wizard of Oz tin
man effect that comes from inactivity. Hang in there and be sure to
systematically killfile the fools who would try and bring you down.
Lee Rodgers
Lowcarb Retreat http://www.lowcarb.org
CHAT http://www.lowcarb.org/parachat.html
Low-Carb Connoisseur http://www.low-carb.com

(Sunshyne) said:

I have had some medical problems come up. And its causing me to question the
Atkins diet now.

I have no answers, Sunshyne, just a great big hug!

Feel better,
Carol

I have chondrosarcoma. I have had my pelvis, hip, and leg removed. I have
experienced pain on a level of 9.5 out of ten over a two year period. I am
not impervious to the pains of others. The one lesson I learned was "do not
ask how do I get rid of the pain?" ask instead "what is causing the pain?" I
have also met those who complain incessently, go from one doctor to another,
from one emergency room to another, pop one pain medication after another
and label it fibromyalgia. If you have a pain, do not label it fibromyalgia.
Find out WHAT it is and then pursue its correction. Just my opinion of
course.

Placid

"Saffire" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,
[email hidden]
says...

Quoted message said:

From: "PlacidBull"

Quoted message said:

ah, ... has it ever been suggested before that perhaps you suffer from
hyperchondria?

The physical symptoms are always real, but might be "normal" physical
signs
which are misinterpreted as more dangerous than they really are.

Quoted message said:

Placid

Placid. There are also others that have a diagnoisis of Fibromyalgia also
in
here. I would like the others with the same illness as me, to step up to
the
plate on this one. We are not hyperchondiacs. I am sure there are a few
of them
out there though, that fit the description you gave.

I have been diagnosted by a rheumatologist as having fibromyalgia. I
don't think
my case is as strong as Sunshyne's, but I don't doubt it as a diagnosis.
I was
ALREADY treating OTHER things with the same recommendations the
rheumatologist
gave me for the fibromyalgia, so the diagnosis didn't have much of an
impact on
me other than to frustrate me as to it's vagueness. Sunshyne was also
recently
in a car accident (and had one a few years ago, as I recall), and has some
very
REAL injuries to deal with, an being overweight only makes things worse.

It never ceases to amaze me how people who are NOT afflicted with multiple
medical problems so blythely dismiss those who are. I had an (older)
allergy
doctor once say he thought it was all in my head because I had too many
physical
problems for someone my age. I pointed out that I had a) fallen down some
stairs, which led to chronic back problems, exacerbated, no doubt, by the
fact
that my right leg is 3/4" shorter than the left one and the right foot is
two
FULL sizes smaller than the left one AND only has 4 toes on it, b) had
wrist
injuries that required SURGERY, and c) took several medications (including
some
prescribed by HIM) that not only gave me severe dry mouth, but also dried
out my
sinuses, leading to frequent sinus infections, which was why I was there
to see
him that day. How can fever and pus be considered due to hypOchondria?
That
shut HIM up and he DID prescribe an antibiotic. Sheesh! HE was the one
who told
ME that I was "super allergic" based on the tests HE administered, and
said that
I should never have a pet of any kind with fur or feathers because even if
I
WASN'T allergic to it at the time, I would BECOME allergic to it within 6
months.
Of all the trees and grasses he tested me for, I was more than a little
allergic
to all but two of them. He couldn't believe I had waited so long to be
tested
for allergies.

Some people have autoimmune problems and some people don't. I happen to
be one
who DOES. I AM more sensitive in some areas than others because of that.
I can
often sense low-level earthquakes when others cannot -- I can sense when a
floor
in a room is not level when others do not. Low-grade fevers REALLY knock
me for
a loop, causing EXTREME fatigue. I had a lupus antibody detected back in
1991
during a ANA panel when an immunologist at Stanford was trying to rule out
autoimmune problems regarding the acute pain in my wrist. Why did I
eventually
go to a rheumatologist? It wasn't MY idea -- another doctor referred me
based on
my sensitivities, just to rule some things out. I was very surprised when
the
rheumatologist told me she thought I had fibromyalgia based on (I think)
11 out
of 18 specific symptoms. I've had one doctor think a specific pain was no
big
deal and another doctor say they couldn't BELIEVE I had waited so long to
see
someone about the very same pain. I long ago realized that most doctors
are
incredibly bored with what they perceive as average, unremarkable
problems,
especially if the cause isn't obvious, and they really only perk up when
someone
comes in with something dramatic and obvious, like an arrow through the
forehead.

Pain from chronic joint inflammation is VERY real. Bleeding from the
rectum is
CERTAINLY VERY real. People have different levels of tolerance for pain
and
illness for a myriad of reasons, and that's a fact. You know what I wish
on my
one TRUE enemy, the only person in the world that I really, truly HATE?
Death?
No. Acid in the face? No. Stab or gunshot wounds? No. Terminal
illness? No.
What I wish on her is every chronic physical problem *I* have ... and just
a
*little* bit more.

--
Saffire
205/149/125 - 5'1.5"
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

x-no-archive: yes

Quoted message said:

Well, at least now you know how you are being preceived when you present a
wide array of ailments along with the "code word" fibromyalgia.

I don't have FMS. And I don't go to dumbass doctors such as those you
describe.

I guess you're too dumb to know how you're "preceived" when using code words
like "hypercondria."

Susan <oysh, a spelling flame>

"Sunshyne" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have had some medical problems come up. And its causing me to question

the

Quoted message said:

Atkins diet now. I will try to make it short and to the point. I hope to

get

Quoted message said:

some input from those in the medical field.

I have been experiencing joint inflammation. Mainly the elbows. Gout has

been

Quoted message said:

mentioned. Also, eating meats, mainly red meats and seafood,and a few

others..

Quoted message said:

can cause Gout symptoms to appear? Or make it worse. By build up of uric

acid

Quoted message said:

on the joints?

This may not be really a Atkins related diet thing. But maybe it is. I was

in

Quoted message said:

the ER/Hospital yeserday. (It is emabarrassing to talk about, no nasty

comments

Quoted message said:

please) I experienced bleeding during bowel movements. My reg family

doctor

Quoted message said:

told me to go to the ER immediately. I was also feeling faint, dizzy. All

last

Quoted message said:

week I have not been well. Tired, fatigued, weakness, pain with Fibro

worse,

Quoted message said:

the joint pain. Just not my normal self. Which my mornal self is not well
anyways. I sense something is wrong for sure.

I was diagnosed, after some not so great testing. Rectal scoping. I have a
internal hemmoroid (sp). Most likely caused by constipation, and or
dehydration.

I have normal bowel movements, no constipation. With not feeling well

anyway, I

Quoted message said:

have not been drinking enough though, I admit that. I did not have pain

or

Quoted message said:

anything with the bleeding bowel movements. I was told, internal hemmroids

(sp)

Quoted message said:

are not painful during bowel movents.

I was sent home with a stool softener. A referral out to have more

testing,

Quoted message said:

specifically the colon. More scoping. I also have pain, not extreme

though.. In

Quoted message said:

the stomach area. High up. The ER docs were concerned with this. Blood

tests

Quoted message said:

were done. Because of the tiredness, weakness feeling. The blood work came

back

Quoted message said:

fine.

I have a list of symptoms, if they occur. To go back to the ER

immediately.

Quoted message said:

Symptoms for more interanal bleeding, or bowel obstruction. For now, just
resting. I am so tired. I don't feel well. Support would be good too right

now.

Quoted message said:

I have no appetite. I have lost alot of weight too the last couple weeks.

The

Quoted message said:

weight loss I feel, not from dieting.

I also started a new med. Just took it one day. Vioxx. Maybe it ulcered my
stomach.

Sunshine,

Vioxx has recently been mentioned on TV for causing problems. They are
switching people back to Celebrex, they say.

Hope you get your health under good control!

--
Regards,
Evelyn

(to reply to me personally, remove 'sox"😉

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
says...

Quoted message said:

I have chondrosarcoma. I have had my pelvis, hip, and leg removed. I have
experienced pain on a level of 9.5 out of ten over a two year period. I am
not impervious to the pains of others. The one lesson I learned was "do not
ask how do I get rid of the pain?" ask instead "what is causing the pain?" I
have also met those who complain incessently, go from one doctor to another,
from one emergency room to another, pop one pain medication after another
and label it fibromyalgia. If you have a pain, do not label it fibromyalgia.
Find out WHAT it is and then pursue its correction. Just my opinion of
course.

Then you DO know what it's like to have chronic pain, and if you had symptoms for
a long time before it was diagnosed and treated, it's likely that you AND a
doctor initially thought that whatever was causing your symptoms was due to a
virus and/or a minor or even unknown injury and attributed it to something else.
Pain you have NOW might be attributed to your cancer and subsequent treatment,
even if it's actually being caused by something ELSE.

*I* didn't label my pain fibromyalgia -- a DOCTOR did. I also know of specific
injuries that caused most of my chronic pain. When I don't know, I try to find
out. Frankly, I HATE having a label like that because it IS such a catch-all
and, as such, DOCTOR'S tend to blame problems on THAT instead of trying to LOOK
for the cause. In fact, I usually don't even TELL doctors that I've been
diagnosed with it. I also have multiple chemical sensitivities, and I know what
caused THAT, too. Unfortunately, that, too, is a catch-all, so sometimes I don't
know if I'm coming down with something, or if I'm being exposed to a chemical to
which I'm reacting -- I only know for sure if it gets better if I change or get
away from my environment, unless I get a sudden hot flush across my nose and
cheeks (aka a "butterfly rash"😉, in which case I KNOW it's chemically related.
If it's really bad (being exposed to a lot of copier toner, for instance), my
entire face will turn cherry red. Some things cause this relatively mild
reaction (newsprint, phenol, formaldahyde) and some cause flu-like symptoms
and/or debilitating fatigue (pesticides, new furniture). Some doctors don't
believe in MCS and label IT hypochondria when it is, sometimes MEASURABLY, an
inappropriate auto-immune system response.

I see your point and I'm trying to make my own, which is that some people are
more sensitive than others, some physical problems are more obvious than others
and just because a doctor doesn't know what's wrong, it doesn't mean that someone
is just MAKING IT UP, which is what YOU are saying when you use the word
"hypochondria". In fact, you seem to be applying it to a situation that is a
catch-22. Is a person making something up or trying to find out the cause of
their problem when they go from doctor to doctor because they are in pain that's
not getting any better and the doctor's don't know WHY or blame it on something
that may or may not be causing it but don't want to bother to look further?
Sounds like the patient is damned if they do and damned if they don't.

--
Saffire
205/149/125 - 5'1.5"
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

"Sunshyne" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

From: "PlacidBull"

Quoted message said:

ah, ... has it ever been suggested before that perhaps you suffer from
hyperchondria?

The physical symptoms are always real, but might be "normal" physical

signs

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

which are misinterpreted as more dangerous than they really are.

Quoted message said:

Placid

Placid. There are also others that have a diagnoisis of Fibromyalgia also

in

Quoted message said:

here. I would like the others with the same illness as me, to step up to

the

Quoted message said:

plate on this one. We are not hyperchondiacs. I am sure there are a few of

them

Quoted message said:

out there though, that fit the description you gave.

Well I'm one of them Sunshyne. When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I
had never heard of it. My doctor explained a lot to me and encouraged me to
learn as much as I could about it so we could work together. Because he was
concerned about the symptoms, he also sent me to a rheumatologist to be
examined and tested for that and other things. The rheumatologist confirmed
the fibromyalgia. If either of them thought I was a hypochondriac, the
whole matter would have been dropped and he certainly wouldn't have wasted
any more of his (or the rheumatologist's) time. Also, if my doctor thought
I was a hypochondriac he'd tell me! Both of them were very sympathetic and
helpful. My GP worked with me on finding the right meds to help with sleep
problems and pain. He explained what seemed to work with fibromyalgia and
why and we experimented to see what was most helpful for me. He also sent
me to a physical therapist and the rheumatologist later set it up for me to
have hydrotherapy at the local hospital. This taught me how to help deal
with the pain and stiffness by exercising. People who think fibromalgia =
hypochondria need to educate themselves. I'd say I wouldn't wish it on such
people, but that wouldn't be the truth.

Sunshyne, I recently read something about vioxx and celebrex and stomach
problems. Maybe it causes other problems. Do a goggle search with those
medications and the FDA probe. Maybe its contributing to your medical
problems.

I hope you feel better.
Eva

"Sunshyne" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have had some medical problems come up. And its causing me to question

the

Quoted message said:

Atkins diet now. I will try to make it short and to the point. I hope to

get

Quoted message said:

some input from those in the medical field.

I have been experiencing joint inflammation. Mainly the elbows. Gout has

been

Quoted message said:

mentioned. Also, eating meats, mainly red meats and seafood,and a few

others..

Quoted message said:

can cause Gout symptoms to appear? Or make it worse. By build up of uric

acid

Quoted message said:

on the joints?

This may not be really a Atkins related diet thing. But maybe it is. I was

in

Quoted message said:

the ER/Hospital yeserday. (It is emabarrassing to talk about, no nasty

comments

Quoted message said:

please) I experienced bleeding during bowel movements. My reg family

doctor

Quoted message said:

told me to go to the ER immediately. I was also feeling faint, dizzy. All

last

Quoted message said:

week I have not been well. Tired, fatigued, weakness, pain with Fibro

worse,

Quoted message said:

the joint pain. Just not my normal self. Which my mornal self is not well
anyways. I sense something is wrong for sure.

I was diagnosed, after some not so great testing. Rectal scoping. I have a
internal hemmoroid (sp). Most likely caused by constipation, and or
dehydration.

I have normal bowel movements, no constipation. With not feeling well

anyway, I

Quoted message said:

have not been drinking enough though, I admit that. I did not have pain

or

Quoted message said:

anything with the bleeding bowel movements. I was told, internal hemmroids

(sp)

Quoted message said:

are not painful during bowel movents.

I was sent home with a stool softener. A referral out to have more

testing,

Quoted message said:

specifically the colon. More scoping. I also have pain, not extreme

though.. In

Quoted message said:

the stomach area. High up. The ER docs were concerned with this. Blood

tests

Quoted message said:

were done. Because of the tiredness, weakness feeling. The blood work came

back

Quoted message said:

fine.

I have a list of symptoms, if they occur. To go back to the ER

immediately.

Quoted message said:

Symptoms for more interanal bleeding, or bowel obstruction. For now, just
resting. I am so tired. I don't feel well. Support would be good too right

now.

Quoted message said:

I have no appetite. I have lost alot of weight too the last couple weeks.

The

Quoted message said:

weight loss I feel, not from dieting.

I also started a new med. Just took it one day. Vioxx. Maybe it ulcered my
stomach.

JC Der Koenig said:

Fibromayglia = hypochondria.

Well, I guess the American College of Rheumatology would be interested in your
"diagnosis".
Fibromyalgia is a diagnosable illness and fully recognized as such.
Except in the minds of people who *think* they know everything...

Connie
*****************************************************
My mind is like a steel...um, whatchamacallit.

Quoted message said:

Take a look at Miryam Williamson's fibromyalgia page.
http://www.mwilliamson.com

She also includes a page full of links to other fibro information
http://www.mwilliamson.com/links.htm

Quoted message said:

While following your doctor's directions keep in mind that a high
fiber low-carb regimen along with daily aerobic exercise will probably
be helpful in the long run despite the pain exercise causes. Find a
way to keep moving (pun intended) so you avoid the Wizard of Oz tin

Quoted message said:

man effect that comes from inactivity. Hang in there and be sure to
systematically killfile the fools who would try and bring you down.
Lee Rodgers
Lowcarb Retreat http://www.lowcarb.org
CHAT http://www.lowcarb.org/parachat.html
Low-Carb Connoisseur http://www.low-carb.com

Thank you for the links Lee. I understand the Wizard of Oz, Tin man that didn't
get oiled. I experienced that last year, before beginning low carbing, and a
exercise routine.

On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 21:03:03 GMT, "PlacidBull" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I have chondrosarcoma. I have had my pelvis, hip, and leg removed. I have
experienced pain on a level of 9.5 out of ten over a two year period.

Very sorry to hear that. What's your prognosis?

Quoted message said:

I am not impervious to the pains of others.

The one lesson I learned was "do not
ask how do I get rid of the pain?" ask instead "what is causing the pain?"

It's funny that you should mention the value of making an EFFORT to
get to the sources of pain and health problems BY ASKING QUESTIONS
because that was exactly what Sunshyne was attempting to do in this
thread.

Now if she had done a 'poor me', I might have a different
interpretation...

Quoted message said:

I have also met those who complain incessently, go from one doctor to another,
from one emergency room to another, pop one pain medication after another

Sure, there are more than a handful of hypochondriacs in the world,
since you brought it up earlier. And I would imagine a few of those
'supposedly' have fibro. I'm sure many others are mistakenly
diagnosed with fibro when they may have something non-auto immune
related going on; it does seem to be a rather trendy diagnosis of
late. But why would you assume that Sunshyne fits into that category
right off the bat in your post?

Quoted message said:

and label it fibromyalgia.

If you have a pain, do not label it fibromyalgia.

In case you missed where Lee and Saffire explained it to you,
unfortunately a lot is still not known about auto immune disorders and
the root causes.

People used to know little about cancer. Would that have made your
chondrosarcoma any less real if you had been born a few centuries ago?

Quoted message said:

Find out WHAT it is and then pursue its correction.

Again, little is still known about auto immune disorders. Hopefully,
that will change as more research is done.

And sunshyne also said:
"I would like the others with the same illness as me, to step up to
the plate on this one."

Okie doke.

I had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis in my knees from the ages of 2 to
5 and was crippled to the point that I had to wear leg braces to walk.
This all happened about thirty years ago. Fortunately, I just had JRA
for three years; it could have been a lot longer.

I can still vividly remember the intense pain from going to the
physical therapist to this day. I also exhibited some of the symptoms
relating to a systemic classification of JRA -- fevers, severe hives,
skin rashes, swollen glands. In addition, I was one of the large
percentage that never test positive for antibodies.

Even though I completely recovered from the manifestation of arthritis
in the knees, I continued to have the frequent spontaneous skin
rashes/hives, swollen lymph, and unexplained fevers associated with
systemic classification. Frequency gradually lessened over time and
had mostly ceased by the time I was 10.

That's when the symptoms of (whatever? at this point) morphed. The
fevers and rashes went away, but then I started experiencing extremely
stiff (but not painful) muscles upon rising. The stiffness was always
completely gone by the time I took a shower and got dressed and in no
way prevented me from being quite athletic in middle and high school.

Over time, the frequency of those symptoms lessened quite a bit, just
as the fevers and hives had before.

However, I developed quite painful symptoms of fibro in my late
twenties and was diagnosed as such by a rheumatologist. Part of her
determination in this was my previous medical history and family
history -- some lupus and also adult onset RA in the bloodline.
Believe me, I certainly wasn't looking for some vague syndrome as
diagnosis. I would have much rather been told that I had X and could
do or take Y for it, just like that.

As a side note, I was also exhibiting symptoms of hypoglycemia in that
time frame and needed to lose about 30 or more pounds. That certainly
didn't help with the fibro.

Fortunately, I've been able to eliminate the vast majority of fibro
symptomology through LC, regular weight training, and cardio. Didn't
happen overnight, but it happened. Also, maintaining a slender weight
(low/med low side of optimal for frame per Met Life chart) seems to
help considerably. Wheat and grains are a major trigger for me, so I
avoid them.

Do I really know exactly what the root cause is of this syndrome that
I had/have? Unfortunately, no. So I took steps to do what I can do
to help make it better.

Quoted message said:

I have been diagnosted by a rheumatologist as having fibromyalgia. I don't
think
my case is as strong as Sunshyne's, but I don't doubt it as a diagnosis. I
was
ALREADY treating OTHER things with the same recommendations the
rheumatologist
gave me for the fibromyalgia, so the diagnosis didn't have much of an impact
on
me other than to frustrate me as to it's vagueness.

Yes, Saffire, it is a vague syndrome. It is fully not understood. It has no
specific cause. It has no specific "fix"

Sunshyne was also

Quoted message said:

recently
in a car accident (and had one a few years ago, as I recall), and has some
very
REAL injuries to deal with, an being overweight only makes things worse.

I was in a car accident 10 years ago. Which shattered the bone in my right arm.
Took a couple surgeries to get the use of the arm back. I think that was the
start of the health problems. One of the main causes. I have also been in 2 car
accidents of late. 2 years ago, then another one this year. Both rear end
accidents, me being the one rear ended.

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It never ceases to amaze me how people who are NOT afflicted with multiple
medical problems so blythely dismiss those who are. I had an (older) allergy

doctor once say he thought it was all in my head because I had too many
physical
problems for someone my age.

At the ER last night. The doctors treated me with such respect. I tryed my best
to give the them the list of the health problems I am experiencing. And past
medical history. They looked at me with awe. They said they have never met a
woman like me, with such strength and courage. While in the another cubicle, a
guy was there to try and get pain meds for his addiction. Interesting day and
night to say the least.

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I pointed out that I had a) fallen down some
stairs, which led to chronic back problems, exacerbated, no doubt, by the
fact
that my right leg is 3/4" shorter than the left one and the right foot is two

FULL sizes smaller than the left one AND only has 4 toes on it, b) had wrist
injuries that required SURGERY, and c) took several medications (including
some
prescribed by HIM) that not only gave me severe dry mouth, but also dried out
my
sinuses, leading to frequent sinus infections, which was why I was there to
see
him that day. How can fever and pus be considered due to hypOchondria? That

shut HIM up and he DID prescribe an antibiotic. Sheesh! HE was the one who
told
ME that I was "super allergic" based on the tests HE administered, and said
that
I should never have a pet of any kind with fur or feathers because even if I
WASN'T allergic to it at the time, I would BECOME allergic to it within 6
months.
Of all the trees and grasses he tested me for, I was more than a little
allergic
to all but two of them. He couldn't believe I had waited so long to be
tested
for allergies.

Gosh Saffire. You had a nasty doctor there. I had one in the beginning also. It
took so many tests to get the diagnosis. Then what sort of diagnosis is FMS? I
had no inner strength and courage like I do now. I learned lessons from him
though. What not to tolerate. What to look for in a doctor.

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Some people have autoimmune problems and some people don't. I happen to be
one
who DOES. I AM more sensitive in some areas than others because of that. I
can
often sense low-level earthquakes when others cannot -- I can sense when a
floor
in a room is not level when others do not. Low-grade fevers REALLY knock me
for
a loop, causing EXTREME fatigue. I had a lupus antibody detected back in
1991
during a ANA panel when an immunologist at Stanford was trying to rule out
autoimmune problems regarding the acute pain in my wrist. Why did I
eventually
go to a rheumatologist? It wasn't MY idea -- another doctor referred me
based on
my sensitivities, just to rule some things out. I was very surprised when
the
rheumatologist told me she thought I had fibromyalgia based on (I think) 11
out
of 18 specific symptoms. I've had one doctor think a specific pain was no
big
deal and another doctor say they couldn't BELIEVE I had waited so long to see

someone about the very same pain.

I had the first symptoms really 10 years ago. Just aches and pains. Sleeping
problems, allergies. I came down with a flu in 1999, havn't been the same
since. About the same time, a trauma occured. Our home burnt down the ground,
we lost everything.

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I long ago realized that most doctors are
incredibly bored with what they perceive as average, unremarkable problems,
especially if the cause isn't obvious, and they really only perk up when
someone
comes in with something dramatic and obvious, like an arrow through the
forehead.

LOL, Saffire. Made me laugh on that. I remember too, when first coming onto
the board. Back in Janruary. I beleive my first post was titled... Fibromaylgia
and Low Carb. You were very supportive to me, and you still are. I apprecitate
that very much.

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Pain from chronic joint inflammation is VERY real. Bleeding from the rectum
is
CERTAINLY VERY real. People have different levels of tolerance for pain and
illness for a myriad of reasons, and that's a fact.

That is exactly what I came in here and posted for this morning. I have been
handling it all OK. Doing the best I know how to. It all has piled on me all at
once. It got to me. So, I asked for input and support. Then I get [censored] like I
am a hypochondriac.

You know what I wish on

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my
one TRUE enemy, the only person in the world that I really, truly HATE?
Death?
No. Acid in the face? No. Stab or gunshot wounds? No. Terminal illness?
No.
What I wish on her is every chronic physical problem *I* have ... and just a
*little* bit more.

--

Well said. Thank you Saffire. 🙂

Quoted message said:

Saffire
205/149/125 - 5'1.5"
Atkins since 6/14/03
Progress photo: http://photos.yahoo.com/saffire333

The AMA says that low carb is bad for you, so it's back to low fat and low
calorie, eh?

Are you following the government's food pyramid?

Do you always use an asinine appeal to authority when arguing the wrong side
of an issue?

--
Most people are dumb as bricks; some people are dumber than that. -- MFW

"ConnieG999" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

JC Der Koenig said:

Fibromayglia = hypochondria.

Well, I guess the American College of Rheumatology would be interested in
your
"diagnosis".
Fibromyalgia is a diagnosable illness and fully recognized as such.
Except in the minds of people who *think* they know everything...

Connie
*****************************************************
My mind is like a steel...um, whatchamacallit.

Quoted message said:

I have chondrosarcoma. I have had my pelvis, hip, and leg removed. I have
experienced pain on a level of 9.5 out of ten over a two year period. I am
not impervious to the pains of others. The one lesson I learned
was "do not
ask how do I get rid of the pain?" ask instead "what is causing the pain?"

With FMS, its totally different. Different way to deal with. What is causing
the pain? Havn't figured that out yet, and the docs havn't totally figured that
out yet either.

For me right now. Its living with the pain. Side by side with it. Daily.
Working along with it. Not becoming disabled from it. Trying to find answers.
Trying to figure it out.

I also try not to let it overtake "me".
Fibromyalgia is not what I am all about. It is just a aspect of me.

< I

Quoted message said:

have also met those who complain incessently, go from one doctor to
another,
from one emergency room to another, pop one pain medication after another
and label it fibromyalgia. If you have a pain, do not label it fibromyalgia.

The sort of people you describe. That is not me. It has been quite awhile since
visiting a ER. I have two doctors I am working with right now. My family
doctor, and a neurosurgeon. Yet, yes, I have seen the types of people you
describe.

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Find out WHAT it is and then pursue its correction. Just my opinion of
course.

I have been pursuing its correction.

Just my opionion.

Quoted message said:

Placid

Quoted message said:

Well I'm one of them Sunshyne. When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I
had never heard of it. My doctor explained a lot to me and encouraged me to
learn as much as I could about it so we could work together. Because he was
concerned about the symptoms, he also sent me to a rheumatologist to be
examined and tested for that and other things. The rheumatologist confirmed
the fibromyalgia. If either of them thought I was a hypochondriac, the
whole matter would have been dropped and he certainly wouldn't have wasted
any more of his (or the rheumatologist's) time. Also, if my doctor thought
I was a hypochondriac he'd tell me! Both of them were very sympathetic and
helpful. My GP worked with me on finding the right meds to help with sleep
problems and pain. He explained what seemed to work with fibromyalgia and
why and we experimented to see what was most helpful for me. He also sent
me to a physical therapist and the rheumatologist later set it up for me to
have hydrotherapy at the local hospital. This taught me how to help deal
with the pain and stiffness by exercising. People who think fibromalgia =
hypochondria need to educate themselves. I'd say I wouldn't wish it on such
people, but that wouldn't be the truth.

Thank you very much Em, for sharing your story. I had not a great doctor for
some time. He did cause me to feel like I was a hypochondriac. So the words
from Placid Bull, it stung like a [censored]. Thats OK though. When he
judges, he fails to realize, he has 4 fingers pointing right back at him.

What you sow, you reap.

Thanks Em, for the understanding and support.

I answered as many as I could. I will try to answer more tomorrow. I am not
well still. I need to get off here. Alone time.

I am no longer taking the Vioxx. I am increasing the water intake. I have the
sites shared, saved to my faves.

Thanks guys and gals, for giving me Hope.

Quoted message said:

When you bring this up with your doctor, don't mention Atkins...just tell
him/her you've removed/reduced starchy foods, sugar & flour products, and
junk good.

Thanks Roger. 🙂
Will do.

Sunshyne, relax.

Things happen to us all as we age. Has little or nothing to do with our
diets, it's just part of life.

Accepting and understanding the changes is important. You'll be fine.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I also started a new med. Just took it one day. Vioxx. Maybe it ulcered my

stomach. <<

Bingo!!! Vioxx is hell on the stomach - I recently had a bad stomach bout on a
similar drug, Mobic. Stop the Vioxx and see how you feel in the next few days.