new here--long

[Guest guest]

hello everyone,

migraines all my life, recently put on gabapentin which has virtually

eliminated the typical migraine symptoms, but for the past few years

i've had what i call 'orphan child' headaches--a band going all the

way around my head, makes my eyes hurt, base of my skull, just pain.

maxalt for migraines seems to relieve it for a day or two, but even

then, my entire scalp, ears, base of skull, and especially eyes are

tender to the touch like bruising.

general aches and pains all over, some days making me book off work

to just stay in bed & feel sorry for myself, w/ice packs and hot

packs in various places. a year ago i went to emergency because of

tingling, numbness & pain to unbearable degree in arms and legs,

thought i was dying or at least having a stroke--was told to go home

and make an appointment w/my doctor.

thought there was something terribly wrong w/bowels because of pain

and bouts of incontinence, but a 'scope showed a healthy bowel--

although i did scream and struggle during the exam, even w/sedation.

the doc told me i was just very sensitive to pain.

been tested numerous times for thyroid probs, but everything is

wonderful on the thyroid front.

liver enzymes good.

blood sugar, blood pressure totally normal.

tests for lupus & rheumatoid factor negative.

optometrist says eye health is great.

i had a carotid ultrasound, results were excellent.

psoriasis i had for 10 years has cleared up.

i had a breakdown from all the pain in '96, that's when i got the fms

dx and was put on paxil, which helped a lot, but has its limitations.

so i'm one healthy chick, w/the exception that some days i'm crippled

by pain.

went to a rheumatologist, he's put me on meloxicam and sulfasalazine,

which seems to help some. he says " fibromyalgia is just a word " , and

he doesn't believe in it, thinks all fms pain can be put down to

arthritis. for all the swelling i've been having, primarily in neck,

face, fingers, he put me on a diuretic, which just made me ill so i

had to give that up.

just saw a neurologist, he wants to do a brain scan, including the

cervical spine. he is of the opinion that my head & eye pain is due

to muscle tension and spinal arthritis (which i *do* have). but he

says for the fms i have to consult my rheumatologist...the same guy

who doesn't believe in fibromyalgia. phhbbbbttt. and i don't have the

option of changing to a new rheumy.

i work a split shift (which i had to file a grievance to get!) so i

can sleep a few hours in the afternoon--if i didn't do that i

wouldn't be able to work at all. even then, i miss a lot of work

because i'm so exhausted and have so much pain.

what a weird disease.

nin