Re: RA fibromyalgia overlap and chest infections

[Guest guest]

Hi Chris!!

All of the advances they are making everyday is amazing! From articles I've read

recently, it's stated that doctors know more today about RA and treatments than

they did 25 years ago.  With the Fibro, I think this will be the case also! I

did have sinus issues that predated my illness.  I had double pneumonia and was

hospitalized for it when I was around age 7.  I had problems with tonsilitis

until the age of 23 when someone finally said " we have to take them out! " The

ENT was surprised I had not had them taken out earlier as I had tonsilitis

several times a year, was allergic to all antibiotics except Tetracycline, and

Bactrim.  More importantly, one tonsil was larger than the other and the doctor

said if the one had swollen too much, that it might have cut off the airway!

Once the tonsils were out, it was constant sinus infections.  I have cysts that

keep coming back in my left sinus passage.  In 2000, it was so large it filled

the entire cheek

and pressed up on the brain.  It couldn't be seen by looking at me, but the MRI

showed it! The doctor called me into the room when done and showed me what was

causing all the sinus infections.  I had a surgery for it, and was ok for about

a year or longer and then the infections came back. 

 

I have to say, my anxiety does seem to be the most challenging of all this! With

pain, I know what is causing it, and know that its ok to feel that way.  With

the anxiety, I never know when its going to go full blown into an attack, and

even though I have CBT skills at times such as those my brain scrambles trying

to find a way to cope.  I have noticed, even though I had anxiety from an early

age, it intensified since becoming ill.

 

Your friend does sound like me! They tested me for things such as cancers, rare

diseases, and parkinsons.  They did spinal taps and sent the results to Mayo

Clinic.  They also tested for early alzeheimers and dementia due to cognitive

issues being very severe at times.  Yesterday, I went out for less than 5

minutes and decided to trim a couple of leaves on a shrub.  The clippers are

very lightweight.  I did this activity for no more than 5 minutes.  I felt pain

up and down the front of my arms.  Then I tried to take a drink from a bottle of

water and when I bent the arm at the elbow, the bottle was shaking so badly I

could barely even hold it.  I had to use both hands and there was intense

trembling.  Today both arms are very sore and I cant pick anything up.  It must

be the FMS.  I didn't think it was that bad anymore but I think I was wrong:)

From: chris65peth <chris65peth@...>

Subject: [ ] RA fibromyalgia overlap and chest infections

Date: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 3:23 AM

Hello ,

Glad you found that Fybro article interesting.

From reading your posts you and my friend seem (sadly for you both)

to share many of the 'off joint' sufferings. (See my recent posts re

Rituxan)I am SURE these patterns are significant, just unfortunately

medical advances haven't come up with the reasons yet,let alone the

answers!

Although progress is being made I suspect there will be more genetic

susceptibilities discovered, explaining why some individuals get

switched on to react in an auto immune fashion to various common

external triggers over a life time.Your respiratory infections and

sinus troubles, did they predate the FMS, RA, as in my friend's case?

Like you my friend had knee problems, initially in one knee predating

the frank RA by about a year.But for years before she used to get

painful swollen finger joints especially when her chest was bad.

The other thing fascinating to me as a doc,(I hope you will forgive

me) but what seems I'm sure for you almost the worst part to endure

of all this is the panic/anxiety mood effects and profound fatigue.

Sometimes my friend looks as though she has Parkinson's, with a blank

face, slow movements, other times she has troublesome tremor and

cramps.

Sorry this is long winded.

Have also been very interested in the helper dogs thread!

Wonderful... medicines are only one tool in the survival kit with

these conditions and keeping in control!

Best wishes,

Chris