Additional Diagnosis to RA: fibromyalgia

[Guest guest]

Many of you have fibromyalgia. I was diagnosed in 1998 with RA. Just today

the rheumatologist has added yet another diagnosis along with RA: fibromyalgia.

Many of you have been very informative about all of the many related connective

tissues diseases. In some ways, it really made me depressed today. However,

I knew all along I probably had this because of the pain that I experience 24

hours

a day. As you know right now, I can't sleep. It is late. I have pain so much

in fact,

you know how that is, that I really do not know that I do have it.

I know sometimes when for some other reason usually I get some pain relief

whether

it is for teeth pain, or for cough syrup or whatever, I think, WOW this feels

great,

so much less pain.

I was started today on Minocyclin (Minocin). Dr. wants me to start out just 50

mg

2 x a day. In fact, I remember something about some of you saying, go slowly

at first. In fact, I may have to go slower. She mentioned the pigmentation

(skin)

and to look for any brownish spots, like bruises, etc.

You that are on minocin give me just a few pointers with this drug, what to

look

for, etc. I remember some of you have had good success with it.

There is a question. I read somewhere that fibrormyalgia patients can greatly

benefit

from guafi...I can't spell it. it is an expectorate. Says it is great for the

ailment. Can

that be taken with minocin. I have some of that drug ( large white pills) given

by my pulmono

logist when I had bronchitis, etc. and asthma. Have any of you tried it?

Well, anyway, after being on doxy for awhile, and then having pneumonia, having

to get

off of it, then one thing after another; so now dr. is going to try minocin. I

am a little

anxious about it, hope it is OK with me. I need it so desperately. I dread

another

day at work, not that I don't like my work, but just getting up, going, and

doing normal

tasks that so many people take for granted.

I heard from a friend on- email this evening telling me all about what she did

in Atlanta(my home

town), etc. and I thought I would love to do that but probably from a " Rascal

cart " . I

may try to see if my insurance could help me if my dr. writes note, etc. Do any

of you

have one?

Well, this is a real " rambling on " conversational typing tonight. But thanks

for

being there. I really do value all of you.

Thanks

Martha from St. Augustine, Florida