Hi All,
In December 2012 I had a rash all over my skin then all my joints swelled up to the point I was virtually immobile and in great pain. I saw 4 GPs in about 10 days and all agreed I needed blood tests but as it was Christmas week I couldn't have them.
On New Years day the pain that was in all my joints went to my chest and my daughter called an ambulance. I was admitted and stayed for 1 week, coming home with prednisolone, tramadol, cocodamol and brufen and a referral to rhematology. The rheumatologist had seen me in hospital and said 'it's not rhematoid arthiritis but it's a very good mimic'
I saw the rhematologist in May who read my hospital letter and told me I didn't have RA and discharged me.
To now cut a very long story short the pain has never left me and after referrals to different consultants and many blood tests my GP has told me I have fibromylagia. In a bizzare way I was actually relieved to get a diagnosis as I was beginning to think the docs thought it was all in my head. No diagnosis meant I had no idea what I should or should not do.
I had never heard of this and so my knowledge is only what I have read on the internet.
In July I was immobilised with pain and my GP was on holiday so I had to see another GP who gave me 300mg Gabapentin. I took 1 tablet and about 3 hours later I collapsed and was 'out of it, virtually unconcious' for 4 hours. I should add I'm on steroid medication for low blood pressure and the 'out of it' is a typical thing for me when my blood pressure drops too low.
My GP last week on telling me it was FMA said she wanted me to go back on gabapentin and said the GP who prescribed it for me in July hadn't factored in my low blood pressure and she wanted to start me on 100mg 3 times daily, increasing by 100mg each week until after 9 weeks I end on up to 900mg three times a day, unless of course I get the pain managed on less.
Stupidly I didn't ask about continuing to take cocodamol and brufen so didn't take them for a week! I now know after ringing the chemist that I can take them but of course the pain now has me well and truly in its grips.
I've read some scary stuff about gabapentin on the internet but am taking them anyway, I'm just so fed up of moaning about pain and will do virtually anything to ease it.
If anyone can share any self help in managing this debilitating condition I would very much appreciate it.
Many thanks for taking the time to read this