Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
Does anyone get problems with runny / stuffy nose, dry eyes, dry itchy cracking burning skin or rashes?
For the dry skin dept I found a cream called Cera Ve that helps a lot... you can get it at Costco but I had to go up to the pharmacist and ask because they didn't have it on the regular shelves. I'm not sure if you can ge it t Walmart... you may have to ask the pharmacist there. Make sure you put it on right after a shower or mist your self 1st. I had cracking painful skin and this stuff pretty much cured it back to baby like skin. Just have to reapply it every now and then.
I had 2 doc appts today and they went a bit weird.....One for the women's clinic and one for allergy clinic.
1st one was at the women's clinic during my annual check up:
I have fibrocystic breast disease and the doc and I were simply talking about the birth control i"m on which is Mirena and how it has helped reduce the amount of breast pain. Mirena is good for 5 yrs and the exp date is coming up soon. Anyways... I was telling her that my pain before getting it was so extreme I felt like I wanted to die. She mentioned that I also have fibromyalgia (so I thought this conversation was going to be a good one) and I added on a side note to her that I also have back pain and many other issues aside from fibro. She asked if I wanted kids and I said no because it took many years to get where I am with my pain. She then made the weirdest comment .... she said "And why do you think that is?" I looked at her really confused. Didn't understand the question. I told her well I came out of the military with terrible pain, a back injury, and she added "...And fibromyalgia" I said to her "yeah there were days I couldn't get out of bed for a long time... I was in so much pain.... it's taken years to get to the point now that I can actually get out of bed each day." And she said,"And why do you think that is?" I was totally lost at that point. Don't know what she was getting at. So I explained how the process took patience, time, much tweaking of meds, many docs, many therapies, etc. I still walked out of there not knowing what she was hinting at.
2nd appt: allergy clinic
went to see the doc for a follow up for chronic stuffy / runny nose, itchy skin, rashes....
Last time I saw him he gave me a blood test for common house hold allergies. Every time I'm around home or visiting other people's homes I get stuffed up but when I'm out side I'm ok... and when I"m at the clinic I'm perfectly clear. No sign of the symptoms I'm trying to tell them about. Blood test today came back NEGATIVE. wait ...what?? Negative to cat allergies, mold, etc. Hang on.... I had a skin test done like 10yrs ago and all that stuff was positive and THEN SOME. I'm totally confused now I told the doc. The doc said people change over time and maybe what I have is that the nerve endings in my nose and sinus cavity are super sensitive and react to any irritation like weather, moisture, etc. What?? How does that explain my reaction to the old 17 yr old cat that has moved in with us??? i"m totally lost. I also get stomach aches when I eat beef. And what about the nasty rash I had last time I came in? The same doc LAST time said it wasn't eczema it was an allergic reaction to something I touched or ate. is NOW saying it's probably NOT allergy and is perhaps eczema. wth.....
advice? thanks!
For the dry skin dept I found a cream called Cera Ve that helps a lot... you can get it at Costco but I had to go up to the pharmacist and ask because they didn't have it on the regular shelves. I'm not sure if you can ge it t Walmart... you may have to ask the pharmacist there. Make sure you put it on right after a shower or mist your self 1st. I had cracking painful skin and this stuff pretty much cured it back to baby like skin. Just have to reapply it every now and then.
I had 2 doc appts today and they went a bit weird.....One for the women's clinic and one for allergy clinic.
1st one was at the women's clinic during my annual check up:
I have fibrocystic breast disease and the doc and I were simply talking about the birth control i"m on which is Mirena and how it has helped reduce the amount of breast pain. Mirena is good for 5 yrs and the exp date is coming up soon. Anyways... I was telling her that my pain before getting it was so extreme I felt like I wanted to die. She mentioned that I also have fibromyalgia (so I thought this conversation was going to be a good one) and I added on a side note to her that I also have back pain and many other issues aside from fibro. She asked if I wanted kids and I said no because it took many years to get where I am with my pain. She then made the weirdest comment .... she said "And why do you think that is?" I looked at her really confused. Didn't understand the question. I told her well I came out of the military with terrible pain, a back injury, and she added "...And fibromyalgia" I said to her "yeah there were days I couldn't get out of bed for a long time... I was in so much pain.... it's taken years to get to the point now that I can actually get out of bed each day." And she said,"And why do you think that is?" I was totally lost at that point. Don't know what she was getting at. So I explained how the process took patience, time, much tweaking of meds, many docs, many therapies, etc. I still walked out of there not knowing what she was hinting at.
2nd appt: allergy clinic
went to see the doc for a follow up for chronic stuffy / runny nose, itchy skin, rashes....
Last time I saw him he gave me a blood test for common house hold allergies. Every time I'm around home or visiting other people's homes I get stuffed up but when I'm out side I'm ok... and when I"m at the clinic I'm perfectly clear. No sign of the symptoms I'm trying to tell them about. Blood test today came back NEGATIVE. wait ...what?? Negative to cat allergies, mold, etc. Hang on.... I had a skin test done like 10yrs ago and all that stuff was positive and THEN SOME. I'm totally confused now I told the doc. The doc said people change over time and maybe what I have is that the nerve endings in my nose and sinus cavity are super sensitive and react to any irritation like weather, moisture, etc. What?? How does that explain my reaction to the old 17 yr old cat that has moved in with us??? i"m totally lost. I also get stomach aches when I eat beef. And what about the nasty rash I had last time I came in? The same doc LAST time said it wasn't eczema it was an allergic reaction to something I touched or ate. is NOW saying it's probably NOT allergy and is perhaps eczema. wth.....
advice? thanks!
RE for chronic stuffy / runny nose, itchy skin, rashes etc I use to have all that until I stopped drinking milk. But I did elimination diet through hospital clinic which told me allergy to milk and wheat. they did not mention that allergy would change.
but i stil get the burny itchy skin. it drives me nuts.
I am having love hate with docs. I am 43 and none of them ever took me serious until my rhumeatolgist. I guess that's cause its his job. I was on the brink of being suicidal because I was so tired and my rhuemy took one look at me and gave me nuerontin and I have slept like a baby! I pray every night and thank god for him because my gp would have let me die because I am over weight. that's the problem he said. sigh...so now I can actualy think and figure out how to loose weight where before I was too exhausted!
ok now I am venting about myself! sorry!
hope you are doing well...this all just stinks!
I also understand the panicy feeling of thinking about going off meds. I sometimes think about that too. I am on like eight things and yesterday stocked up on supplements to see if any of them help.
I agree sounds like the first doctor was playing psychologist and was clueless so turned it around on you. Run run run away from her.
I know I have those conditions but no rashes, I assume mine is sinus problems. so I take sudafed and mucinex daily it seems. I also have nasacort but it seems to have a few side effects I could do without.
I do know I have never been allergic to cinnamon and now it seems to bother my throat.. The ENT informed me we can become allergic to things later on in life, I dont know if its due to hormone changes or whatever.
Are you on any meds that you take daily? Maybe its a side effect of the meds or combination of meds that is causing a rash. I think the site is drugs.com that list all the drugs side effects and combination of drugs and their side effects.
I know my dad was never allergic to laundry detergent and when he got older he became allergice to laundry detergent and could only use Cheer. Its the only one that didnt cause him to itch,
They put so many chemicals into everything anymore, its a guessing game what effects us and what doesnt.
I would change one thing at a time. like laundry detergent, or bath soap or whatever you use and see if that helps.
I do know its aggravating because I am more sensitive also since I have gotten older. Infact I am very tender and somewhat painful right under my nostrils. I am headed to a endodontist tomorrow to if its gums or allergies causing it.
Good luck and keep us informed
I have been keeping away from milk for like 2 + yrs.... only once in a blue moon I end up eating or drinking something containing it like when we eat out. Sometimes my mom sticks cream cheese in a sandwich (she lives with me and can't live alone) but I try to keep away from it. It helps that I married a vegan lol....
I have asked the allergy doc to do a food allergy test on me.... my next appt (for that) would be at the end of Jan.... the doc only comes around at the end of each month at the Va and well we dont have time at the end of Dec to do it with holidays, family in town, and the wedding reception going on.... I'll let you guys know in Jan what happens.
Thanks for the clue, I guess that 1st doc maybe have been trying to play a shrink with me...lol.... but what does that have to do with my woman appt or my chronic pain? Sheesh.... people..... (sigh)..... I mean what response was she looking for? If someone is in severe pain it impacts every aspect of their life. It's that simple. And it takes lots of trial and error with this many symptoms to even start finding things that may work for a person. I don't get what these kind of doctors are thinking or what they are looking for. What did she want me to say..."Oh I'm psychologically screwed up and this is why i'm in pain! Thanks for my annual exam, lady, this appt will cure me!" Fat chance.
ahem....Sorry for the rant again....
As far as chemicals making me itch....
I have switched off all soaps and shampoos and gone to baby soap. I am pretty sure most soaps were making me itch. Also found out recently that anything with OXY clean in it was burning my skin and causing itching, red marks, etc. Had to stop using detergents that contained it (including laundry).
I never even thought about looking up about medications!! Thanks, magicpill! I'll check it out!
God bless!