Intro Questionaire

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Charity, I just joined the list today, and

I thought I might as well fill out the questionaire

now or I will forget later.

>Age range:

25

>Male/female:

Female

>What are the symptoms?

* General aches and pains all over for several years

* Extreme pain in some areas off and on (mainly around

trigger points)

* Always tired/no energy, often falling asleep during

the day

* Muscle stiffness after period of rest

* TMJ

* Headaches off and on all day everyday

* Exercise of any kind make all symptoms worse

* 17 of 18 trigger points

>Has you illness been diagnosed?

Yes, this February I finally found a doctor who didn't

just say, " Lose weight and exercize more and you'll be

fine. "

>How long did you suffer before you got help?

I started seeking help about 4 years ago, but I have

had muscle stiff/sore problems my whole life.

>Is there a time that you can remember when it

started?

I remember when I was five my dad took me on a walking

tour of Washington D.C. and I kept telling him I hurt

and I couldn't walk anymore and he kept saying that I

was young and of course I could keep going. I reached

the point where I couldn't take another step and I sat

down on the smithsonian steps and bawled.

>Some of us have found lack of exercise we are

>overweight. Have you found this to be a problem also?

I am overweight, I have been my whole life and no

amount of dieting or exercising has ever changed that.

In fact the harder I try to lose weight the more I

gain.

>Are you on disability?

No, I am working full time right now...struggling,

though.

>What have you found that helps ease the pain, warm

>baths, medications etc.?

When I am stressed it seems like nothing eases the

pain. I am on oxicotin as Tylenol and Ibuprofen no

longer do anything for me (even on a headache). So

far I have found Chiropractic care to be my greatest

relief.

>Do you have sleep problems? How do you deal with it?

Yes, my doctor had me go through a sleep study,

overnight at the hospital, to see if I have sleep

apnea, but the results were inconclusive and I don't

have the money to take the test again right now.

Do you have family that understands your illness?

>Some have found certain foods causes problems with

>CFS or Fibro, have you?

I am allergic to everything! I just found out through

blood work that one of my biggest food culprits is

Wheat! Taking it out of my diet has helped a bit so

far.

>What type of Doctor have you found that has helped

>you the most?

One that listens instead of judges and assumes... My

general practitioner specializes in pain management

and does a lot of work with Fibromyalgia patients, he

has been my biggest asset right now.

I am happy I found this group I can't wait to

watch the discussion.

Thanks,

Charity

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