IT'S NOT ALWAYS GOOD TO BE RIGHT

As you probably know I have chronic osteo arthritis from head to toe (except for my elbows which so far are OK) but over the past months I've been feeling more sore and stiff and waking up feeling tired and during the first couple of hours of each day I've had difficulty moving about.  Sleep hasn't been as good as it was earlier in the year either which has been a worry.

Yesterday I had to visit my GP for repeat scripts (why I don't rattle is beyond me) and to ask about certain blood tests I have on a regular basis.  I decided to bite the bullet and tell him how sore my muscles were etc etc.  He asked questions and gave me the answer I had been anticipating.  "I am 100% sure you have FIBROMYALGIA but will do a couple of blood tests just to rule out anything else".  I will have them done on Friday morning (have to fast for the cholesterol one) and should have the results next week.  I always ask the doctors that I be sent a copy as well and then if everything is OK I don't have to go and worry the doctor again, plus I have records at home I can refer back to.

The doctor printed me out a page explaining what the symptoms of this fibromyalgia are with a diagram of the trigger points that are a sure indicator of the condition.  It seems if you have 11 of these 18 trigger points then that confirms the diagnosis.  Simple as that.  I have checked out several of them and yes, they are a tad touchy.  Ouch!!  I see my physiotherapist next Monday and will have her test these trigger points just to be sure I've done them properly.  JF does trigger point acupuncture so has a good working knowledge of exactly where they all are.

As the doctor said "It is not a life-threatening condition" which I of course knew as I had actually looked it up as I had suspected this was my problem.  He said he could give me mild anti-depressants which can help in some cases but we both decided I take enough drugs now so let's give that a miss.

It is a nuisance and I wish I didn't feel so weary all the time but I am determined to keep trying to do a little in the garden when I can and try not to feel too miserable about having another malady added to the list of those I already have.  Thank goodness I can still laugh as that doesn't take much effort and if you smile you use far less facial muscles than if you frown so not nearly so tiring.  : )

I hope you don't mind me sharing this information with you but unfortunately my close personal friends are no longer with us and it's nice to be able to share.  I am not complaining....just saying is all.