[onetay]

Hi To All,
I am Tammy and have been on here since 10-08. I have found some good advise and a lot of help here. I have a list of complaints or dx. I have been having some strange things going on lately. I have what I would call tender spots all over my body. There are no marks or injuries to support the tenderness. I have bruises popping up that don't hurt but also have done nothing to cause the bruising. The most tender spots are the rib cage area and upper thighes. I see the rhemy in february was wondering if I should ask about fibro? It seems lupus has taken over sometimes but then I remember that I am lead here for a reason and that I can make it thru whatever comes my way. I was just wondering if I should ask the rheumy about the fibro is all?

Tammy

 

[calkim]

I have the same. Sometimes if I have an itch, it hurts for about a minute after I scratch it, or even rub it gently. Other times I hurt if I just brush against my leg. I mostly feel this like you, on my legs below my hips and above my knees, and my upper arms. I do feel like am bruised, but no injury. How well do you sleep at night? I wake almost every morning with an aching back and upper body, as if I slept on a pile of rocks. I too will see my rheum. next week. I am afraid of what he might say.
Do you take meds?
Hope you find some relief/answers, as do I.
Kim

 

[Pink Pearl]

There are a couple issues here.
One is the fibro type pain.
I have found that for myself to control the trigger point pain, I need to use 4" of foam pads on my bed. Without them, I am so sore I can hardly move, let alone sleep.

Second:
There is a bleeding disorder which goes with lupus: platelet function abnormality. Platelets are present, but just don't operate like they should. One of the symptoms is round pencil eraser size bruises, and the spontaneous breakage of capillaries. The latter burn or sting when they break. I have had these happen my whole life. Initially I was diagnosed in the 1970's with von willibrand's disease. Since correct testing for vw's, I was reclassified by the platelet problem. I had to go to the Puget Sound Blood Center in Seattle, WA to get the correct diagnosis.

Keep up with pursuing a proper diagnosis.....new testing gives better ways to manage/identify problems.
Sally

 

[Joandublin]

Hi Tammy

I think its very reasonable that you should talk to your rheumy about this additional pain you are having. Lupus and fibromyalgia combination is relatively common (I think about 30% of those with Lupus also have a diagnosis of Fibro). Im one of them.

There are recognised pain points which aid the diagnosis of fibro and your rheumy would be versed in testing you. Its a simple trigger point test to see if you have at least 11 of the 18 trigger points which are extra sensitive to pain.

Having said that, the rib cage is not a standard trigger point and neither are the front of the thighs. There are trigger points at the back of the thighs near to the buttocks though.

I was initially diagnosed with Fibro and when the Lupus diagnosis came along the fibro was sort of put to the background. Its only in recent years that I am trying to tackle the fibro by finding ways of easing the pain. I was put on Lyrica but my stomach swelled out something terrible and I stopped taking it.

Its sometimes hard to tell what condition is causing what but experience helps. I reckon that most times the Fibro causes me more daily pain than the Lupus. I use a foam mattress on my bed and various things like heat pads, straps and painkillers to help control it.

Good luck with your Rheumy appointment

Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:

 

[onetay]

Kim,
My sleep has been a few hours at a time for about 15 years now. I wake up off and on all night long and must change positions at least a dozen times a night. This helps me not to be so sore in the morning but still very sore and stiff every morning.

I am not on much medicine as I am just now finding help for my meds after 14 months. I am on 2 fluid pills a day (since I retain water like a sponge). I am on mobic and an anti-depressant also. Will be able to start my plaqs by next month thank goodness.

I did want to say it is not my lungs they don't hurt it is the ribs themselves as when even the lightest pressure hits one of them it feels like they are bruised badly, which can't be since I have no injuries there. The upper thigh is a numb feeling not so much pain just when I touch it I have to make sure that I am really touching it. They are also very heavy feeling when this happens ( it comes and goes with no related as yet reason).
Tammy

 

[onetay]

Sally and Joan,
Thank you for the helpful hits for better rest and pain relief. I will give them a try and also talk to the rhuemy about what is going on and see what he thinks is going on now.

Sorry to have that reactions but sometimes I wonder where the dx's will stop. My spirits are still up though and will just take things as they come really have no choice. Again thank you for the help.
Tammy

 

[Salopsally]

Im diagnosed with Fibro but im never really sure what symptoms are that and what is Lupus but I do get the rib type aches you describe and across the top of my chest and shoulders. Most of my body feels slightly tender to the touch.
Sal x

 

[calkim]

Tammy,
I have rib pain also, upper back, shoulder blades and chest. Mostly feels like pulled muscles. I amost thought that my new bra was not fitting me right :lol: But when I wake in the night, I am always sore and uncomfortable. This upper back/rib pain seems to get better then worse. Off and on.....? I wonder if it is general Lupus muscle tenderness? Is there such a thing?....I will ask my dr. questions on Tues....
Kim:hehe:

 

[keebler]

Hi Tammy,

Here is a link that tells about fibro.

http://www.fmnetnews.com/basics-symptoms.php

I hope this helps.

Take care,
Lyn

 

[onetay]

Lyn,
Thank you so much that helped a lot and a lot of it answers my questions and describes what is going on with me so well. To be honest I was hoping someone would of said it was the lupus because I am not really looking for yet another dx. Things have just been getting a little worse and what I would say are new but may not be because all this time I thought it was the lupus. Again Lyn thank you so much I will talk to may doctor about the fibro and see what he thinks.
Tammy