I have to admit I have played down my fibro but this latest rd takes it very seriously. The problem is : I have been too sick to research. I know my rf factor is elevated but rd said her concern was my fibro. My question is : Does fibro flare? I have had two days that I can barely walk. I have so many fun things I could do around the house and I just can't. Keep hoping PT will help but it helps for about two hours then I am where I started or worse. So for those that suffer from RA and fibro - any advice? My life has stopped.It's very frustrating. Yes, my Fibro flares. Until this last year it was short duration flares, but this last one has been going on for the better part of 5 months. But Dr is suspicious of something else going on since cortisone shots are helping me and supposedly Fibro isn't inflammatory. I am amazed. The rd said my ra was under control even though my rf factor was high. She based it on examining my joints. But I can barely walk. I am stuck in a chair or in bed. I change back and forth as I cannot stay in the same position. I am really feeling like an old lady and my life feels worthless. I cannot do much of anything. If this is fibro - it may be worse than the ra
I will say this about the PT and FM/RA. You may need to take the next day off from your treatment. That's what they did with me in the previous times I had PT/Fitness Training. The reason is that you are actually breaking down muscle tissue down and it having to rebuild itself. If you are going every day, it might be too much at first. Try skipping a day, then going the next. Of course, talk to your therapist about this. But it has made a big difference for me and helped me.
Somedays, I have also been too sore to do the exercises. Then they need to ease you back. You are such a go-getter, you might be pushing to hard. Ease into it and you have a much better chance of regaining that which you have lost.
FM does flares. On the sites it says so. However, a lot of docs don't thinks so. For instance, Julie's pain doctor said she can't be having flares. But he's a stubborn old goat, ignorant too.
I tried PT and between my arthritis and my Fibro it put me in the hospital. I'm still trying to get the knots out and that was 6 weeks ago. My Dr isn't helping so today at my appt I asked for a referral to a different Dr. It's horrible pain and spasms and makes me nauseous. And the therapist was NOT rough with me or anything. It's just that the stretching and pushing my ROM got it in a tizzy but good. I had a bad reaction to traction also. That hurt so bad I nearly passed out after a couple minutes. And a neck brace felt like a had a knife in my neck.
I'm so tired of hurting so bad. He did give me another cortisone shot last week but it's not helping like the last one did. Maybe because he only gave me half as much as last time. He's been a $hit lately.
I'll be glad to go to a new rheummy. Maybe he'll do something so I can live again.
Oh, and even though the PT said I'm losing use of my left arm because of nerve involvement, the silly Dr says he doesn't understand why I have pain...isn't this a kinda no-brainer?My doctor told pt ONLY IN THE WATER. Maybe that will help you. It has not made a big difference out of the water but it sure feels good to be able to move in the water I have Fibro and so does my Dr. She says that a Fibro flare feels like a bad flu aching in the muscles as well as the joints. Right now the only pain is in my joints preventing walking etc. She said that it feels like you are sick along with the aching.
Hope this helps.
Sorry everybody sorry.
My DH has had fibro for many years. When he has a flareup he definitely hurts more than I do during a flare. The muscle pain is acute as anyone who has had tendonitis knows. Hard to imagine widespread acute tendonitis....a car wreck indeed.
Roxy I know you hate pred but a burst of pred really helps my DH sometimes for as long as 6 months. If enbrel is really controlling the ra maybe a burst will settle things down.
Are you getting enough decent sleep? Stress and lack of sleep are always my DH's trigger to a fibro siege. Have you had a chance to do learn bio feedback? It is supposed to be able to help with sleep and stress.
The only thing I can think of to help today is limbering up in a hot bath. Do you have access to a hot tub or physical therapy whirlpool?
Have you tried a capasin (sp?) cream? It doesn't help my DH but it helps my friend V quite a bit.
Savvy, it sounds like they did the PT wrong. As soon as you started having problems, they should have backed off. I have seen some really bad PT clinics that use those racks and braces. It doesn't work. My daughter had a terrible experience and now has the same opinion that you do.
However, a good therapist is well worth it. Roxy is right. They should have started you with water therapy. But some insurances don't like to pay for it. However, since you've been in the hospital because of it, they should ok it. Water therapy is soooooooooooo much easier than what you just described. It was crazy for them to start you at that level of therapy. And, since it is the doctor that writes it up, you really need to consider his judgement.
Maybe you should get an appointment with a new Rheumy. But I'd also consider a referral to a Neurologist. Your overall reaction to the PT could also be affected by a nerve problem. Nerve problems can make even the gentlest touch hurt immensely.