i really need to update more, so that when i do update, it isn't 50,000 words long

[seventhe]

This just in: still alive.

I'm not even going to get into work here because the things people have done to me and the things I have done to people in the last six weeks belong in a horror film. One about fire and brimstone and lots and lots of swears.

More importantly, I finally got in to see the rheumatologist. I'd delayed calling because I am a busy and forgetful fuck, and then when I called there was a 6-8 week lead time on appointments, but I've finally been in to see an expert. Diagnosis re-confirmed, it's fibromyalgia. There's also some general autoimmune-disease stuff going on in there, but Fibro is an absolute.

(With fibro, there are these "trigger tender points" that are part of the diagnosis process: for people with fibro there are certain points on the body where the nerves are hypersensitive, so a normal touch feels like someone punching you directly on a bruise. Things I wasn't prepared for. The doctor was doing his check-over and hit the one on the knee and I screamed. I've always just thought bodies were sensitive there. Things I wish I'd known years ago.)

So I'm being taken off the escitalopram (anxiety med) and put on Cymbalta. The Cymbalta should be able to take the place of the Lexapro with regards to anxiety, and additionally will help deal with the fibro pain and sensations. I do get to keep my trazodone -- you can pry that sleeping pill from my cold dead fingers.

I'm on a starter dose for now, which will be increased if/as needed, and if Cymbalta doesn't work Lyrica's next.

As part of the prescription, I've also been "prescribed" exercise. The doctor says that mild (no strenuous weightlifting or sprinting intervals) exercise will help the fibro and, even though it hurts, will also help the Cymbalta work -- basically adding some exercise activity will give the drug the best chance to be effective as time goes on. As I would really like (one of) these drugs to be successful, I'm going to go back to the gym and just be gentle with myself until/as the drugs start to work, and then go from there. I'm thinking of restarting yoga in addition to that.

I am sure it won't be easy, and adding something else to my to-do list and daily schedule is moving in the absolute wrong direction, but I'm at the point where I've needed a reminder that my health is important even though it's complicated to care for.

Comments

[whitemage]

So what I have heard/read is that gentle exercise also lessens potential side effects of Cymbalta in addition to the working better. Mild yoga sounds like a perfect pairing, honestly.

Good luck with everything--hope you get everything properly managed so you can crack that chain whip at work. ;)

[goldmare]

Maybe get a treadmill for walking? You can get a manual one for less than $200, although those can take some getting used to. Not sure about non-manual ones. But then you wouldn't need to go to the gym, and that might help with your crazy schedule.

[butthefuturerefused]

It's good that you have a firm diagnosis, and that you actually have medications and a workout regimen to help out with things!

[novel_machinist]

is swimming okay?

[seventhe]

It should be once I build back up to it. Which is great news.

[queenlua]

so i have a friend with fibro and she recently sent me this link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24286293

basically there are people who are stating that legitimate medical advice for people with fibro is "drink more"

the studies are too early to tell for sure bla bla but, may this make the next drink you consume a little more awesome

[shanaqui]

Yoga sounds like a really good idea. Good luck with the new med.

[lindorie]

Good luck with the new med! ♥

[sathari]

Hooray for firm diagnosis, ugh that you need one in the first place! And your exercise plan sounds like a fantastic one!

[stealth_noodle]

Gentle yoga sounds like an A+ plan. Hooray for shiny new (hopefully super-effective) meds!