My doctor visit yesterday

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_mL_ - 06 Jun 2006 16:55 GMT

I went to the doc yesterday, been having pain in both hands and feet and elbow
(in addition to the spinal osteoarthritis and the knee/shoulder problems i
already had). Too many joints, he's running tests for rheumatoid arthritis (i
already have osteoarthritis) and said it could be fibromyalgia. He gave me
imipramine to take at night (in addition to all my other meds including
wellbutrini take in the daytime, and flexeril, vicodin, lodine, xanax that i
use as needed). Being a recovered anorexic and now maintaining normal weight,
i worry if it will make me gain weight, that's not an option for me. 25 mg i
believe is a small dose.

When i read about fibromyalgia, a lot of lightbulbs went on in my head - the
sound/noise/light sensitivity, IBS, forgetfulness, sleep problems, ringing
ears, dizziness... it all fits.

Anyway, the tests are
CBC w/o differential
ESR
ANA
Anti-DNA
RF (neph)

whatever all that means. I'm really scared. I've finally started accepting
the neck problems as something to live with and manage, but this all over
thing is too much for my mind to process right now. I also have anxiety
disorder, which doesn't help much. Thanks for listening, i guess i just need
to talk becuz i don't really have anyone i can talk with about it except my
husband, and i don't want to over-burden him with it, he puts up with enough
already! :-)

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Squirrely - 07 Jun 2006 18:06 GMT

Alot of us have fibromyalgia also.

It is good he is running tests to rule out other things.

He should probably also run thyroid tests to check your levels on that also.

CBC is a regular blood test. ESR I believe is to see if there is
inflammation. ANA is to rule out lupus or I believe some other things. not
sure about the other ones.

Welcome to the group. I am sure you will get lots of info here. We are
always here to talk and be supportive.

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Love and hugs Jo

(\__/) .~ ~. ))
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>I went to the doc yesterday, been having pain in both hands and feet and
>elbow
[quoted text clipped - 35 lines]
> enough
> already! :-)

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Charrlygrl1 - 07 Jun 2006 21:07 GMT

Well mL,

Not that I would wish RA on anyone, but at least your doc believes you
and is running some tests. I was diagnosed with fibro, then later on I
was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, which is like RA and can
affect almost any joint, but by definition, always affects the back.
I hope they get some answers for you soon,
Char

> Alot of us have fibromyalgia also.
>
[quoted text clipped - 60 lines]
> > enough
> > already! :-)

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_mL_ - 07 Jun 2006 23:53 GMT

>Well mL,
>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>> Welcome to the group. I am sure you will get lots of info here. We are
>> always here to talk and be supportive.

Thanks for the replies. I do want to find out what's going on, and they can't
keep blaming it on menopause anymore becuz i'm well past that. I recently had
thyroid tests and they were fine.
My ex-sister-in-law has cervical disc problems and has been miserable for
YEARS with it, pain in neck/back/shoulders/arms/hands and terrible headaches
and fatigue. She had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia but recently had
cervical disc surgery and it seems to have relieved some of those symptoms.
It's all so tricky i guess.

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