Hi. I am Mrs. Bear. I usually post on the bipolar forum because that is were I usually have the most trouble. I have fibro as well and frankly, it's kicking my butt right now.

I have been reading through posts this morning and am kinda confused. More discouraged actually.

This flare has been about 2 months now. Usually it lasts a week and slowly subsides over the course of another 2.

Meds I am taking: Triliptal, for mood stabilizer, Cymbalta for depression and PN pain, Naproxin for the other pain and Diazapan for anxiety. (which is pretty accute right now)

I am under a great deal of stress proffesionally and personally.

Most of the time, my pain is in my shoulders and neck. And a great deal in my hands.

This last flare has been full body and the fatigue is out of this world. This past week, the fog has hit me so hard, I truly don't know where I am sometimes. I down play it and laugh about it, try not to let it get to me. I think you would all know what I mean.

I am trying to decide if I need to go to my doctor, but I really don't know what else she could do.

I pulled out my fibro survival guide again today cause I thought mabe a little more exercise might pull me out of it and it said to be pain free for 2 weeks before I started.

So now, I am kinda at a stand still.

help?

Any ideas? Would it help to go back to my doc? What kind of conversation would be the most beneficial for us both? Do I need to look into finding a rheumy or is my internest just as helpful? She is the one who finaly diagnosed the fibro and she is very gentle with me and believes in triger point therapy which she does herself.

I am just so tired of winter. My hands! OMG. They get so hot. and so stiff. At least typing loosens them up a bit.

Any ideas are truly appreciated. I am pretty frustrated at the moment.

Oh, I also have pernicious anemia. Usually keeping my B12 up helps my fatigue greatly. But last blood draw, it came up at 900 which is awesome for me and the fatigue is only getting worse.

Oh man I am so sorry you are having such a rough time. I don't have any suggestions. I am still recovering from what I think is the worst flare I can remember having, on top of severe PMS. I have some Lidocaine creme that my doc prescribed me that i use on my hands, and a couple of smaller areas, which helps quite a bit though it doesn't smell real pretty or last very long. I hope you get some relief soon .

ok have you noticed any connection to your period?

I have been reading a couple new books that can it to estrogen deficiency and autoimmune.

I have noticed an increase in fatigue with my period. My craps are almost non-existant with the constant dose of Naproxin. That is really nice.

I will watch next cycle and see if any other symptoms increase or decrease and let you know!

((Mrs. Bear)) I'm so sorry. The flares can be so awful. And the fatigue! I swear the fatigue is one of the most horrid parts of fibro. I'm glad you brought up the fog. I have to keep reminding myself that's part of the fibro. Lord knows I walk around in that fog a lot of the time!

Wish I could be of more help. I take Skelaxin and Lorcet when it really hurts. And I always have Biofreeze and Tiger Balm on hand to put on those really achey body parts.

Thank you for your responses and the condulances. Sheesh, I give up trying to spell. lol it's too hard.

I will need to mull it over a bit. I have refused pain meds so far because I am on so many others for the bipolar disorder. I need to look at the budget before I break down and call the doc. I am sure we all know what that is like. The poor kid at the pharmacy freaks out at my co-pay as it is.

I really like the idea of trying out the Tiger's Balm! Not too pricey and fairly soothing if I recall. Teeny burn, but not like icy hot.

THANKS!!

Good place to start.

Had an interesting panel discussion on Fibromyalgia and drugs. (lyrica) Also had the author of a recent NY times article on talking about how much "flack" he got in response to the article he wrote. Here is the link to the article...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/he...4a1&ei=5087%0A

And I hope to find the actual radio program.

http://www.wmub.org/shows/talk.shtml#rehm

Hi Mrs. B! Glad to see you over here.
Its been that kind of winter to see flares acting up. The weather all over the place then the snow and cold.
Its a rough winter for all of us suffering from all types of rheumatic illnesses.

Hi Mrs Bear

No answers just trying to understand this all myself. I've just gotten
a definate diagnosis yesterday.

Donna