It was suggested that I include a list of my symptoms...so here it goes...

Daily migraines (currently controlled with Topamax 300mg daily & Cymbalta 90mg daily)
Cognitive issues (includes comprehension, thought processes from sight and sound, memory problems, following written and spoken directions) I have a terrible time trying to focus on anything for any amount of time.
Speech will jumble and slur at times
Heightened sense of smell
Vision problems (early cataracts, just beginning last year at age 48...with new glasses I still have blurring and halos and can't read at times...problems with judging distance).
Hearing & Vision-If exposed to noise or lighting (fireworks, movie theaters, on coming headlights, fluorescent lighting) I end up in bed with my brain trembling within my skull, the electrical impulses travel from within my skull down my spine and zap along the nerves and my body and limbs jerk.
Nausea
Pain in every muscle in my body, my hands, wrists, feet and ankles seem to be particularly effected. I cut my hair to shoulder length so that I can brush it myself, I can no longer raise my arms high enough to be able to reach my hair if it is longer. I wear sports bras since I can no longer hook a bra in the back and a bra is one of the most uncomfortable piece of clothing.
My muscles often cramp and spasm.
My ribs hurt often and I find myself sighing more often when I breathe.
My fingers are beginning to become misshapen.
My balance is not good.
I no longer wear pants because the material causes my shins to burn (skin), the skin on my arms often burn.
I have burned myself twice in the last 3 weeks when I was cooking because my hand jerked while I was stirring boiling liquid.
I use a rain shower head and luke warm water when I shower or it is not a refreshing shower, but I am still exhausted after a shower.
Fatigue is horrible.
I think this just about does it.
Oh, I forgot to include mood and depression.
I have been diagnosed with general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, severe major depression disorder, and PTSD.
Standing, sitting, or laying for more than 15-20 minutes makes the pain worse.
I also have tremors in my hands, especially when I am holding something. I have burned myself twice in the last few weeks when I was stirring a pot and boiling water was literally flipped out of the pot onto my abdomen. I have a scar from the first time. Draining a pot can be a very bad experience as well.

rsd me,

My rheumy tried gabapentin first...I had such a bad reaction to it with the jerking, he listed it in my allergies with a note that it should never be given to me. Lyrica, hmmmm, I can't take it as long as I am on Topamax, but I hesitate to take it. I was a pharmacy tech and had toyed with the idea of pharmacy school. I react so strangely to so many drugs that I prefer not to test the waters with Lyrica.

Vit D is one I plan to ask my PCP to test me for next month. My PCP is thinking I have RA, too. Some days I just don't feel like getting out of bed.

Gentle hugs and hoping for a low to no pain day for you!

hi bd. i saw your list of symptoms and was wondering if you ever saw a neurologist or pain management dr about the possibility of having crps (chronic regional pain syndrome). i hope you don't have that but if you do they could prescribe the right meds for you like gabapentin, which takes a few weeks to adjust too, but helps manage the pain along with dr prescribed pain meds. i have both fibro and crps and know that fibro has no visible symptoms whereas crps does. they are both very painful but in different ways.
some of your symptoms i.e. mis shapened fingers. that could possibly be a sign of crps or rheumatoid arthritis but not fibromyalgia.
and the burning pain is a sign of crps.
pain to touch of your ribs could be from fibromyalgia or a low vitamin d level. i have that too.
i am not a dr but i have crps, fibromyalgia and low vitamin d levels so if i were you i would get checked out for all of them.
i don't have rheumatoid arthritis but was tested several times for that too. it can't hurt to check.
once you find out what you have, then the right meds can be prescribed to you. i hope you find out exactly what's wrong so that you can start feeling better soon.

Hi rsd me,

I will see my neuro in early December and I will ask him about it. I will also talk to my primary care. I am unable to take gabapentin because I have severe jerking of my nerves from it. LOL I thought my last brain MRI was going to end in a whiplash...I just stopped taking Mobic because of the side effects (swelling of my hands and face) with no benefit in pain reduction. My rheumy has been treating my pain and I havenot seen a pain management dr. But, I will talk to my awesome and understanding PCP.