Don't know what is happening to me

[Diane63]

For the last week I have been feeling worse every day.  Energy down.  Interest in life nonexistent - feel so tired and in my heart feel like I am "done."  Not depressed..  I've checked that out with a few folks who know me well and they agree it's not depression.  Joints hurt that never bothered me before.  Every muscle in my body hurts like crazy even to a gentle touch. The doc's blood pressure cuff had me doing deep breathing exercises.  The salivary glands right behind my jaw under my earlobes are killing me, although the Evoxac handles the dry mouth.  Yesterday and the day before migraine - got a shot of toradol and slept the rest of the afternoon and have just an echo of the headache today.  Talked to rheumatologist's office and she's prescribed Tramadol - 1-2 every 6 hours.  My dogs take tramadol and it makes them really dopey.  Does it do that to people?  I have brain fog big-time.  Can't concentrate or read.  Muscle spasms despite the Skelaxin.

What is going on?  Is this what some of you have meant by a "flare"?  Is it the fibro or the Sjogren's?  Oh, and my lungs are getting congested like beginning of bronchitis and I am allergic to all antibiotics, so am scared about that.

Sorry.

And to top it off, I have 3 10-week-old kittens here (along with my own two cats and three dogs) and they are wreaking havoc.  Confine them to the family room and they are just wild - into everything.  Absolute sweeties, though.  Go to the adoption center next weekend to be available to people looking.  I'll keep them during the week if they're not adopted and then take them back in the next weekend.  I had forgotten how crazy kittens can be!  And two of my dogs are sick and on 4 medications.  Darnit.

If anyone can help me out on how bad I feel I'll be so grateful.

Many thanks in advance.

Diane63

[slccom]

I can offer some sincere sympathy. It sounds like a flare, maybe? But just because you have Sjogren's doesn't mean that you can't have other problems, like fibromyalgia, along with it.

I hope you feel better soon, and be sure to love all the furbabies.

Hugs, Sharon

[iraisin]

Rest as much as you can. So sorry to hear of your troubles. It could be a flare, it could be the flu. If you're taking steroids you are more susceptible to catching a virus.

hug.

[Gayle]

Sounds like a flare but maybe check with your dr to make sure? Hope whatever it is passes soon!
hugs!

[Diane63]

Thank you, ladies.  My next rheumy appt was scheduled for November,  but they have  moved me up to the 13th of Sept.  I don't feel fluish (?), just lousy.  The ataxia is definitely worse - whenever I try to turn a corner in my house or somewhere else, I usually fall into a wall.  My nickname in my younger days, before all this stuff started in my 40's, was "Lurch." 

Guess I'll take your advice and go lie down for awhile.  The furbabies love it - I usually end up with all of them in bed with me, except for Thomas the cat who is always outside killing varmints!  I like to say he is "carrion on!"  I know, real bad.

Diane

[jazzlover]

Loved the little joke!! 

Could be a flare. I'm in one too. Kinda bummed about the Cymbalta helping my feet and now I've overdone it. My feet are killing me, but I also hurt in my back, neck, hands, etc. I'm DRY as a BONE!!!

Diane.. the Tramadol does not make me loopy. My stomach doesn't like it though. I'm extremely sensitive to meds. I'm even wondering if I am able to continue on the Cymbalta.

[Rebecca]

I have been taking Tramadol for the last 3 months.  It has helped me tremendously!  It helps my joint pain and back pain but doesn't do anything for muscle pain.  Believe it or not, a couple of ibruprofen give me a bit of relief for my muscles.  I have noticed my fog brain getting worse though here lately.  I don't know if it is Tramadol related or not.  But it sure does make me feel stupid.  Sometimes I have can't comprehend what people are saying and just look at them with this confused look on my face.  But I am not willing to give up the Tramadol for it.....if that is the cause b/c that is the only way I am getting back some of my life/mobility.

[artsyamerican]

It does sound like a flare  .  A bunch of people I know are in more pain this week than say last week.  IDK? Stress? Humidity? I definitely can't take Tramadol...ick.  Celebrex is fantastico if your stomach can handle it.  Hope you have better days soon!!!

[Doxie]

Diane63, sounds like a flare to me too.  It seems like my flares usually make me extra dry everything, then attacks me wherever it feels like.  I usually feel awful, and my joints all yell at me worse then normal, and on and on.   

I take Maxalt for my migraines which works well for my acute migraines. The past several months I I started taking Topamax for chronic migraine, and it's really been helping.  It's also been helping with the lingering effects of the migraines which would go on for days.

I take Tramadol too.  I don't know what I'd do without it. I take mexoxicam (Mobic) on a regular basic, and then Tramadol whenever I need it which is quite often.  I don't think it makes me dopey, maybe just a tad out of it, but not much. I can drive and function with it.  It may not be as strong as Lortab, but I handle it much better. Try it out!  It affects different people in different ways.  I know that it is on my must have list!

I hope your flare calms down!

Wow, you are an animal lover!  I have two dachshunds that I love to pieces. They keep me sane.  I hope your dogs get feeling better and that you find good homes for your kitties!  Hunker down with your your furry ones. 

[Diane63]

It's so good that all of you have written to me.  Now I know what a flare feels like and will be even more sympathetic when someone posts that they're in one.  Yuck.  My PCP prescribed the diflucan for my mouth thrush.  And the rheumy called in the Tramadol and I have just taken both after eating.  I didn't realize until I saw the label that Tramadol is Ultram - and my son had a seriously bad anaphylactic reaction to it a number of years ago.  Had to be squadded to the ER and treated post haste.  I hope it doesn't cause that for me.  There is no one here at home right now, so I guess I'll just stay by the phone and get ready to dial 911 if I need to.  Hope the medicine is good for me like it has been for you guys.

I'm thinking about seeing a homeopathic D.O. physician in our little town.  People i have known for years and trust have said she really helped them.  One friend found out her peripheral neuropathy was due to lead poisoning and she took the herbs and stuff the doctor recommended and the PN has leveled out and not gotten worse.  Anyone out there ever do this?  Apparently this doctor does the hair thing - clips off a little and sends it out to be "analyzed" - 20 yrs ago that was looked at with raised eyebrows and skepticism. 

Insurance won't cover it and the first appointment is $300 for 90 minutes.  Then the hair thing is a big bunch of money beyond that, which I don't have, seeing as I am paying HUGE vet bills for all the critters in my life.  I begin to think they are not dogs and cats, but albatrosses around my neck.  (Can't help it, I was a lit major.)  But I love 'em. 

Diane

[Scottietottie]

Hi Diane 

I was on Tramadol for the last six years and they didn't make me dopey at all.

It sounds to me like a flare but it would be worth getting your doc to check your thyroid as some of your symptoms would be experienced if you had gone hypothyroid. Could be SjS alone though.

I hope you are in less pain soon.

Take care - Scottie