I think this might be a good question or two

[Guest guest]

Okay, you know I haven't been " officially " diagnosed with any types

of these problems except TMJ, which stems back from childhood for me.

I've been doing tons and tons of research over the past few months

trying to find more answers so I can be armed for bear when I get the

funds together to get to a doctor so disability potential can be

recognized. I have learned that I have nearly EVERY symptom for CFS -

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome based on the CDC website and it's

description and detailing of the disease.

I also learned that CFS sufferers are often also diagnosed with FIBRO

and other CONNECTIVE or TISSUE chaos.

QUESTION 1: Was anyone else diagnosed with CFS before being diagnosed

with FIBRO or other similar chaos?

I learned today that my maternal grandmother was diagnosed with CFS

when she was forty. She was diagnosed with Polymialgia when she was

fifty. I am two years from forty.

Another thing I learned is that a lot of allergic reactions can

contribute to the onset and aggravation of these kinds of problems.

Well, I am seriously allergic to tons of stuff, which sucks, but I

don't have much say in that idea.

I am seriously allergic to citrus products. I can't even drink orange

juice, have fresh tomatoes on salads, or even drink icy cold

lemonade. I used to adore drinking juice. I haven't managed orange

juice since I was twelve. The tomatoes I could never manage. I had to

stop drinking lemonade in 1998 after my youngest child was born. Not

only would my tongue and lips swell, my jaw and mandibular joint

would flare up and we won't get into what that feels like in tandem.

I also have seasonal allergies with exercise asthma conditions along

with a serious allergy to cat dander. Amazingly enough, birds and

dogs don't bother me. I haven't figured that one out.

QUESTION 2: To those who are women with this chaos, did you notice a

greater upsurge of symptoms after menopause, during or before onset?

I am currently in what is known as perimenopause, the span between

getting my surgery done and osteoporosis paradise. I noticed that my

fatigue got markedly worse after having my tubes tied. I say markedly

in that where at one time I could walk five miles without a twinge,

now I'm lucky to walk five blocks without feeling it for days

afterwards.

What say you, ladies and gentlemen?

A. Neff

[Guest guest]

Yes, I do think that the Fibro got worse after Menopause, but I recognize that I

had symptoms long ago that were part of this syndrome.

Ruthie