Thank you for taking the time to join me on my fibromyalgia journey. This is my story and hopefully you can use this information to help with yours.
I had just gotten through eight years of family court that was extremely stressful so a lot of my initial symptoms I put off as stress. Then I got to the point all I wanted to do was sleep because when I was awake I had constant tension headaches that even aspirin couldn’t make the pain go away. I thought okay, I know I need to start seeing a therapist to help with the constant stress my ex husband was still causing so I made an appointment.
But therapy didn’t help with the headaches or extreme fatigue. My work at the time was very physical, which at the beginning I loved because it meant I didn’t have to sit at a desk all day. But slowly I was getting dizzy, I was dropping things constantly, and I was tripping. I got home one day and of course had to take a nap. I woke up and the tops of my feet were numb. Felt like they had fallen asleep with that sharp pain we all can’t wait to subside. After four hours, the numbness was still there. This can’t be right. I decided to go to the ER with the concern, is circulation going to cause damage to my feet? ER marked it as stress and anxiety and I should make an appointment with my family doctor. So glad I waited two hours for that ten second “diagnosis “. I called and set up an appointment with my family doctor. He did a physical and drew blood. Maybe now I can find out what’s going on.
Family doctor called with results. My B6 vitamin was three times toxic levels. My liver enzymes were elevated, my vitamin D level was 15…normal is 50, and he referred me to a neurologist for my headaches and numbness. He also wanted me to schedule an appointment to make sure I didn’t have blood clots in my legs causing the numbness. He also wanted me to get a heart monitor I wear for a month for the palpitations I was experiencing. One thing I can’t stress enough about family doctors. They are the key that opens all other doctor doors. My doctor always gave me options, the pros and cons to each option and then would ask, now what would you want to do? These are the doctors who go above and beyond and a must-have for anyone to go through tough situations.
First tip: Find a family doctor who takes the time to find out what course you want to take with his experience and expertise, not a doctor who says this is what you are going to do or take.
Next post…The neurologist appointment.
Fibromyalgia Warrior Woman 