I have had pain for as long as I can remember. I had been telling my family doctor about persistant pain in my hands for years. He never seemed to never take me seriously. He said I probably had a little arthritis but he didn't comprehend the level of pain I was experiencing. When I changed doctors, my new one finally took the time to read my entire chart and realized I had been complaining about joint pain for at least five years. Other problems I have include severe fatigue, muscle pain, swollen ankles and hands, pain in my neck and upper back, tender points, morning stiffness, and sleeplessness. I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but I don't know if these are related. After trying several medications that didn't help, he finally did some tests and realized my sed rate was high and referred me to a Rheumatologist. This doctor did many more tests and came up with the conclusion that I had some kind of connective tissue disorder that was probably lupus. Due to the fact that I don't have conclusive test results, this is just an educated guess on his part. I have been trying to read as much information as I can on lupus and related diseases. I am afraid I might also have fibromyalgia. The descriptions of that fit very closely with the symptoms I have most of the time. I have been perscribed so many medications that I wonder if it is all necessary. I continue to have a lot of pain daily and I wonder if there is any more help available. My doctor says without organ involvement he hesitates to take the next step to give me immune-suppressing drugs.
When I changed doctors, my new one finally took the time to read my entire chart and realized I had been complaining about joint pain for at least five years. Other problems I have include severe fatigue, muscle pain, swollen ankles and hands, pain in my neck and upper back, tender points, morning stiffness, and sleeplessness. I also have high blood pressure and high cholesterol, but I don't know if these are related. After trying several medications that didn't help, he finally did some tests and realized my sed rate was high and referred me to a Rheumatologist.
This doctor did many more tests and came up with the conclusion that I had some kind of connective tissue disorder that was probably lupus. Due to the fact that I don't have conclusive test results, this is just an educated guess on his part. I have been trying to read as much information as I can on lupus and related diseases. I am afraid I might also have fibromyalgia. The descriptions of that fit very closely with the symptoms I have most of the time. I have been perscribed so many medications that I wonder if it is all necessary. I continue to have a lot of pain daily and I wonder if there is any more help available. My doctor says without organ involvement he hesitates to take the next step to give me immune-suppressing drugs.
My family is sympathetic but they don't really comprehend what it is like to live with pain all the time. Yet, they are my chief support. My older daughter is a nurse and she has a better understanding of the nature of these diseases than my other daughter or my husband. They are sypathetic but I know they get tired of me being tired all the time. I don't make a habit of complaining because it dosn't help and after awhile people think you just want attention.
I have found this site to be very useful and I appreciate reading the stories of others. I try to keep a positive attitude, but some days are so much worse than others. I am still able to work at my job as a hairdresser because I make my own schedule and can plan for plenty of rest time between appointments. But I am also afraid there will come a time when I will be unable to work. That thought is a little scary. I wish everyone who deals with pain will have the strength to take one day at a time and make the best of it.
Nancy
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