Re: Questions for anyone

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

Have you ever been tested for autoimmune diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid

arthritis, autoimmune thyroid disease, etc.? Most autoimmune diseases can cause

debilitating fatigue and many cause joint pain. When you say your fnp is going

to some nuclear tests, I assume you mean she is going to do a blood test called

an ANA or anti-nuclear antibody along with probably some of the 'sub' antibody

tests. Those can help to determine if you have an autoimmune disease (or maybe

multiple autoimmune diseases). Hang in there as many autoimmune diseases are

quite illusive and hard to diagnose.

In answer to your question, NO - you don't sound depressed to me, but I'm not a

doctor. However, I would not be quick to let them simply chalk your new

symptoms off as depression without thoroughly ruling out other potential

problems. Many autoimmune diseases can be improved drastically with the right

medications. I have lupus and without taking plaquenil (an anti malaria drug

that helps with the joint pain, fatigue, and skin rashes that go with lupus) my

fatigue and joint pain are unbearable. I still have a lot of fatigue, but the

plaquenil makes it much better!

take care and listen to your body - you know it better than anyone else.

W

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

I am glad I was able to help offer things that your doctor should look for. I

hope you get some answers soon. The debilitating fatigue is often worse than

dealing with pain. Even now, when I am so tired that even showering is tough, I

sometimes think that maybe I am just being lazy and if I pushed myself I'd be

able to all I used to do. The logical side of my brain knows that if I do not

rest when my body screams for rest, I will end up in the hospital. However,

there's that other side that says 'the doctors are all wrong- there's really

nothing at all wrong with you except that you are lazy'. I'm much better at

pushing that away now than I used to be, but, still it creeps in my head now and

again. Must be those red roots of my hair or maybe the fact that until I got

sick I thought that I could control everything. Accepting limitations is hard

for everyone, but it is especially hard for those of us who tend to be

perfectionists and think that we are responsible for the world.

W

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

have you started any new medications recently? Some medications have

sore joints as a side effect. Zocor is one such medication. Also, have

you looked into the option that you may have arthritis. It can start

fairly young you know. I have arthritis in both hands and I'm only 34.

For the tiredness, have you been tested for anemia? If you've already

thought of these things, my apologies, I'm just trying to think of

anything that deals with these symptoms and I'm not a doctor, so I'm

sure i only see the obvious things. What about mono? The other option,

if you are that tired, has anyone ever thought to test you for sleep

apnea (stop breathing in the middle of the night)? I was that tired to

at one point and my mom, who just found out she had sleep apnea, went

with me on a trip somewhere and she said she thought I had stopped

breathing briefly during the night. So, I got test, and yep, I had it.

So, I got my CPAP machine (helps you provide air throughout the night),

and the difference was amazing. Before, I had been so tired that at one

point, I started to fall asleep in mid talk. Not Kidding, it really

happened. I was with a coworker at the time.

Have you thought of possibly seeing the doctor and not the FNP?

Sometimes NP's miss things that a doctor would think of. And Sandy,

it's healthy to complain once in a while too.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

Sandy, I can have empathy for you, because I am in the same situation. I

do know that what you discribe like me is a form of depression and maybe

not true clinical depression as defined by textbook. I am a nurse and

have cystic fibrosis in addition to the cp. They can not seem to get my

enzymes down lipase still 1400 and amylase 400 and I continue to have

difficulty in eating and pain with nausea. I am very weak, tired, and

fatigued althought most of mine is due to my staph and pseudomonous

infections that have not cleared since May. I am on Zoloft and fought it

for a long time. Initially, it really helped then they had to back up the

dosage and it is less helpful now. Once they get me back up there I'm

sure I will feel better. I can not tell you what to do but yes you do

have the right to feel as you do but I know at 50 and having struggled

with cf for all those years that you need to listen toyour body and your

physicians for the needed help and trust in the Lord for all else. I

will pray for you and please write back. Deb with cp and cf.

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

sounds like you need to get another doctor if she continues to push the

anti-depressants and the doctor is such an ass. A test to see if the

thyroid mediction is working won't tell anyone if it is causing joint

pain as a side effect, only that it's doing what it's supposed to be

doing. A medication can be doing what it's supposed to AND cause severe

side effect that no one would ever want.. Have you checked the listed

side effects online at http://www.rxlist.com ? Please check the

medication on there, it will only take a few minutes of your time. At

this point, I don't trust the FNP to check up the listed side effects,

just because the medication IS working and she doesn't want to look for

a new medication.

I also saw that you thought it might be chronic fatigue syndrome. That

sounds like a definite one to look into as well. As for your sore

joints, has your FNP looked into fibromyalgia? It also tends to occur

with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Unfortunately, I don't know personally of

any other things to suggest, but if this FNP and doctor aren't working

out for you, get another one.

Don't feel bad about posting, that's what we are here for, to help and

support people through any problems they are having, answer any

questions, etc. And since you are in the group we are here to help you

in any way we can, even if it's to vent. I just wish I could be of more

help.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.

[Guest guest]

Sandy,

I can understand that you don't want to have to re-establish yourself

with a new doctor. I also understand what you mean about some doctors

only believing what they want to.

I'm sorry you still have all those symptoms still. I'll be waiting to

hear what happens on wednesday and what the FNP says with your friend there.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.