Dawn, it's nice to see you but I'm so sorry about all your problems.  I
can't offer any help but want to wish you well in getting some help.
Gwen

Hi Dawn. Welcome home. I have fibro as well but not to
that extent. Personally, but with no medical knowledge
what so ever, I think something else must be going on.
Is this your RD doc or your PCP?
Duckie

Have Fibro--took years to get the correct diagnosis....and I too have to
take 60 MG of a heavy duty painkiller around 6 AM to be able to be up and
about by 7:30...muscular and joint pain like you have. Have Osteoarthritis
and all the symptoms of RA, but the RA factor doesn't show up in the blood
work. Having a bone marrow biopsy on the 29th just in case there is
something else going on that is not showing up anywhere else. Have had shots
in C6 and C7 (didn't help at all) and just recently in the sacroiliac joint.
That last one worked as I now can bend over for the first time in about 3
years....bend over but not stay in that position very  long but it's a step
forward.

Butterfly

Dawn,

The achiness all over sounds like Fibro but about the only way to tell
is if it is chronic and if other things are ruled out.  I hope you get
some relief soon.

debbie m.

I have some friends who are really laid up with Fibro.  Might want to
check in with an RD. Welcome back aren't you in Mo these days?

Visit my website:
http://www.mzuschlag.com

I can't really offer much input.  But I do want to offer support.  While I
hope you are in RA remission, you can't rule it out.  Hope it is only a
brief flare and that it goes away.

Jo

((((((((((((((((((dawn))))))))))))))))))))))  i'll leave answering to the
more well versed in ra and fibro.  i just wanted you to know i read this and
am thinking about you, hoping you'll feel much better soon.

kate

Sorry you are dealing with this.  I hope you get some answers, and some
relief, real soon.

Bonnie

Hi Dawn!  good to see you again though I surely wish you were feeling better.
I'm coming in late, but just want to add my own bit that it does sound like
you might have fibro to me.  A major component of fibro is poor sleep and it
may actually be induced, at least initially, but prolonged poor quality
sleep.  Your hip and back problems almost certainly have affected the quality
of your sleep and may therefore have contributed to you developing fibro.

If your doc isn't already trying you on more meds to help with the fibro, see
about getting some!  A muscle relaxer can really help with the muscle pain.  
Also anti-depressants help lots of folks sleep better and help with the foggy
feeling in the brain.  (I didn't think think I had the fibro fog much until
they started me on meds and it was like someone flipped a switch in my
brain!)  Those are just thoughts off the top of my skull.