Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Fibromyalgia Posted: 03-21-06 00:17am
:cry: I have not been formally diagnosed
with this illness yet, as I have had to
move from one province to another (in
canada) before I could get the final
diagnosis; however, I do suffer from most
of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and since
the onset (or should I say "onslaught") of
this disease, I have been literally going
through hell. It has been over a year
now that I have been suffering with little
to no relief, other than nsaids, which I
had to quit taking due to severe side
effects. Nothing else has been offered
since then, and now that I am dealing with
doctors in the walk-in clinics, they will
not help me with this. I am waiting to
see a dr who I think will finally be able
to refer me to the specialist
(rheumatologist) here, but it is still a
waiting game while I suffer. There are
literally no doctors taking new patients
here, so I am left to fight the symptoms
with whatever I can purchase
over-the-counter, which isn't much since
i'm on welfare now that I can't work. I
would love to hear from others who are
suffering with this bizarre illness. I
need support. I also have been tested
for rheumatoid arthritis and possibly
ankylosing spondylitis (rare in women),
and have always suffered from severe and
frequent migraines. Now that I have
moved back to ontario, I find out migraine
meds are not covered under the welfare
plan here, and they are $70 for six pills
(generic). I feel completely abandoned
by the medical system here and like no one
cares. I am in high levels of pain every
day and don't know what i'm hanging onto
anymore. Poor people might as well shoot
themselves in this province, we do not
have a voice and we do not matter, no
matter how much pain we are in. It is
very depressing. Any words of
encouragement would be gratefully
received. Thanks for listening.
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edina963
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 35 Location: canada
Posted: 04-14-06 11:55am
Hello maggie..........You are right about
the medical system being unfair to poor
people. I havent been diagnosed with
fibro but it runs in my family . Ive been
tested for other
things...Arthritis-lupus-rheumatism and
now my family doctor will be sending me
for a bone scan--then a rhumatalogist.
Ive seen what my sister went through and
she is still dealing with. They had put
her on steroids, meds for the pain ...And
it realy screwed up her system. And if
you dont have a family physician, you end
up with doctors who just pass you quickly
without any feeling towards your problems.
I am one who hates taking medication, my
stomack just cant tolarate them. So dont
give up, you may be alone to suffer but
knowing others have the same problem and
can help with ideas to alleviate the pain
your going through should give you
comfort. My sister has now taken up yoga
and stretching excersise, she puts heat on
her back and legs cause thats where its
the worse for her. Because of the pain
she has trouble sleeping and she was
taking pills for that...Now she drink
green tea during the day and at night she
drinks chamomile tea, it has realy help us
both. Hope this helps . Good luck
edna
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MaggieRay
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 20 Mar 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Northern Ontario, Canada
Fibromyalgia Posted: 04-14-06 18:05pm
Thanks, edina, for your response. I know
I am not alone in suffering with this
illness, it just feels like i'm alone and
battling the whole world, medically, all
by myself. I have found out there is a
fibromyalgia support group here, so I will
try to start attending the meetings. I
have also heard of someone who did get
disability approved on fibromyalgia alone,
here in sudbury, and she has the same
specialist I am trying to get referred to,
so there is some hope there too.
I do use heat therapy, but would have to
stay laying on the heating pad all day to
be pain-free, and I wish I could, but do
have to get up and do things sometimes.
Nothing seems to help this when I ache all
over, though, and even a hot shower or
bath only gives minimal relief for a very
short time. It hardly seems worth the
trouble once i've gotten all undressed and
then dressed again afterwards, i'm still
exhausted and in pain. I am trying to
stay positive that I will eventually get
what I need, but the days are so long with
chronic pain, even when I don't get up til
noon. I do appreciate the words of
encouragement, though, and thank you for
responding. I hope you also find your
way to relief and I pray for everyone who
is battling this isidious illness.
