Introduction/long sorry

[Guest guest]

Good afternoon all,

My name is . I am 56 and in 2003, was diagnosed with Rheumatoid

Arthritis and severe Osteoarthritis. Had my left knee replaced in 2006.

I also Hypoparathyroidism (due to a botched Thyroidectomy at age 13),

and Hypothyroidism (all my life). I am 5'7 " tall and weigh 256 lbs. I

am in the process of obtaining insurance approval for Lap-Band surgery

for weight loss. I should have my surgery around mid-April.

In 1999, I had a very bad case of flu/cold/fever. At that time, my

right ears started hurting very badly, turned very red, and behind my

ear hurt terribly. I developed TMJ on the right side of my jaw. I also

developed Tinnitus at that time. I had back shoulder and neck pain. I

saw numerous specialists and no one could figure out what was wrong.

One internist said it could be FMS, but did not do anything for it. I

had no clue what it was and was so sick I did not really digest what he

was talking about.

Until last year, it would just come and go. However, about a year ago,

it went to both sides. The pain traveled to my knees, muscles around my

knees and near my hips. My shoulders hurt all the time (on the side of

my upper arms). I have a lump on my right collar bone that when I

slightly press on it, it causes pain all the way to my right ear.

(Doctors have looked at it). I am tired and stiff all the time, yet my

RA is supposedly under control.

I am a legal assistant and get so stiff when I go to stand up after

sitting for 5-10 min or more. I have looked at the various sites (Mayo

Clinic, etc) and I appear to have most/many of the symptoms of

Fibromyalgia. I saw the PA for my Rheumatologist yesterday and frankly

she was little help. She insists I have RA of the neck and took 10

x-rays. Of course I may have it, but it is not the back of my neck that

hurts, it is the sides of my neck and upper shoulder blades, lower back

too. I also get cramps in my knees when I sleep. I am in the process

of changing doctors, but that will take a bit of time since the new one

is so booked. I do not know if the new Rheumatologist will understand

or even think I may have Fibromyalgia, but I hope she will listen.

I have found that prescription strength Ibuprofen does no good. I have

a call into my doctor to ask her if I can take Lyrica with the other

meds I am taking. I took a sample of it last night that I was given by

her when I had Shingles. It helped the TMJ and neck, shoulder, leg pain

a lot. I am guessing if I were to stay on it, it will help greatly. I

just need my doctor's approval due to the other meds I am on.

Anyway, I am very glad to be here. I know I have so very much to learn.

Thanks for having me,