Re: RA for more than 5 years now, Fibro diagnosis one year/stomach problems.

[Guest guest]

HI Cathie,

Although I don't have fibro, I do get a lot of neck and shoulder pain

and muscle spasms. In fact, it was so bad a few years ago that they put

me in the hospital because my muscles wouldn't relax and I was in

tremendous pain. I've found that my trigger is being cold. The minute I

get cold, my muscles get tight and I'm in pain. The secret is trying to

stay warm no matter what it takes -- heavy coat, hat, scarf, blanket,

hand warmers, etc. It might not help you, but then again you might want

to give it a shot and see if it makes a difference.

Take care,

> I am feeling a lot of neck and shoulder pain these days.

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathie:

I'm so sorry that you're in such pain.

I've had fibromyalgia for three years. Neck, shoulder, upper back and lower

back

frequently pains me, although I've had phases where I've been greatly improved.

I

developed Rheumatoid Arthritis this past November and my rheumatologist thinks

it

triggered a terrible flare. The pain in my neck and shoulders gave me

excruciating

headaches and referred pain down my back.

My doctor put me back on Flexeril, a low dose of 5 mg., because I'm on other

medications

such as Tramadol for pain and Ambien CR for sleep. She said to take it every

night

whether or not I have pain as it will relax the tension in my neck and back.

I've been on

this regimin for two weeks and it has helped with my fibro symptoms.

As far as your stomach pain, I can only share my experience. From all the

medications

over the years, I developed chronic gastritis. This was confirmed by a

gastroenterologist

and an upper GI. Now I take Prilosec in the morning and have not had the

problem since

adding this medication to my daily regimin.

Have your doctor check out your hands. Raynaud's is very common for fibro

patients and

your symptoms sound very much like this condition. I have it as well, although

RA heats

up the joints in my hands so much that they're always warm now...LOL....

Finally, sleep is imperative to us and if you're not getting enough it will make

your fibro

worse. Have you tried Ambien CR? I'm on 12.5 mg. and with the combination of

the 5

mg. Flexeril, I'm sleeping so much better.

I hope this helps and that you feel better,

Paige

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathie,

Besides the standard, ice packs (or frozen vegetable bag), rice sock, and

pain relievers, I have found that direct injections into the painful areas

helps the most. That is what I do when I can't stand it anymore, I know

what you mean about being sick and tired. Some days it seems like they will

never end and sleep is the only way to escape the pain, somewhat. Also, my

rheumy said that with the temperature drop, he has had a lot of people

coming in for injections. What area of Chicago do you live in? I'm in

Lombard, so I know a great pain specialist if you need a referral.

Groundhog day is Feb. 2nd, maybe he'll have a good prediction!!

Take care,

Joanne

----- Original Message -----

> Here is my issue:

>

> I am feeling a lot of neck and shoulder pain these days. Granted, the

> cold Chicago winter weather that we are having right now may be

> contributing, (we were spoiled there for quite awhile) but I feel that

> more of the blame should be on the Fibromyalgia. ...

[Guest guest]

When I had a bleeding ulcer from Aleve, my stomach actually did not

hurt. I felt only a little discomfort. My blood work showed that I was

bleeding somewhere. I had to go to another doctor besides the rheumy to

be treated for this.

Sue

On Tuesday, January 30, 2007, at 12:54 PM, catmoh wrote:

> I also have

> developed a lot of stomach pain. I know the meds can cause ulcers and

> such. But I don't feel the pain consistently. Would an ucler only

> flare up when the wrong food or drink is consumed or would it be

> consistent regardless of what I've eaten?

[Guest guest]

> I had to have eye surgery that I was told was due to the predisone>>>>

>

>

What were the symptoms?

I do not know what to do! Taking prednisone kills my pain, better than any

drug! But I do not want to have cataracts.

Have been taking it for 8 years with NO symptoms but relief from pain! I'm

not even hungry (grin). My face isn't round, wish it was! Have had 2 Dexa scans

and I have actually GAINED bone! They are normal.

But I do NOT want my eyes messed with......

so I need to know what the symptoms of encapsulated cataracts are.

After years of dry eyes, I do not want my eyes operated on.

I guess its either that or a wheel chair...

As ALWAYS, thanks for you help!

You are a very special group.

We need each other.....

Hugs,

Pris

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathie! I'm just a short 60 miles from ya and the cold has got me

aching pretty bad. I too take flexeril for fibro (10 mg), it has been

working for me. My RA pain has been another story though. I'm flaring

up again and have been on 20 mg prednisone. My Rheumy added Tramadol

today but I can't tell if it is gonna work for me. I went through the

whole tummy deal. I was eating ibuprofin like M & M's and ended up with

severe gastritis, so I have to be careful and take prilosec. Don't

hesitate to get it checked out!

Take care and stay warm!

Theresa

[Guest guest]

Dear Pris~

I worked for years in the eye care field before my lupus/RA keeps me

now from working. It is normal for long term prednisone to cause

cataracts and possibly to put the IOP(interocular pressure) up. But

if you have regular eye exams they would know that already. It really

depends on how they do the cataract extraction. And how dense the

cats are; most times it is done no stitch and the doc I work for

doesnt even use an injection to numb the eye anymore. Just an eye

drop. However I am not going to paint all roses and bunnies; if it is

dense it is a little*not much* more involved. But I will tell you

that I would have my eyes done in a second if I was told that I

needed it due to cataracts. You will be amazed how white and crisp

everything is after the surgery is finished. If it makes you feel

better go for a second opinion. And ask lots of questions and get the

answers you deserve. I was training in the OR when I had to quit

working; so I have seen 100's of them. My old practice did 20 cases

on a Tuesday! And everyone was thrilled. I will warn you; if you dont

need glasses for anything or you can take your glasses off to read

that you will need reading glasses after the surgery. NORMAL! After

they remove the natural lense and replace it with the implant you

maybe able to get away without glasses for distance but will need

them for reading. I hope that this helped a little. If y ou are

interested or have anymore questions please feel free to contact me

or post here. Good Luck to you!!!

Hugs,

>

>

> > I had to have eye surgery that I was told was due to the

predisone>>>>

> >

> >

>

> What were the symptoms?

> I do not know what to do! Taking prednisone kills my pain, better

than any

> drug! But I do not want to have cataracts.

> Have been taking it for 8 years with NO symptoms but relief from

pain! I'm

> not even hungry (grin). My face isn't round, wish it was! Have had

2 Dexa scans

> and I have actually GAINED bone! They are normal.

> But I do NOT want my eyes messed with......

> so I need to know what the symptoms of encapsulated cataracts are.

> After years of dry eyes, I do not want my eyes operated on.

> I guess its either that or a wheel chair...

> As ALWAYS, thanks for you help!

> You are a very special group.

> We need each other.....

> Hugs,

> Pris

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