Hi Katrice: I have not heard of a relationship between the two! Maybe some of the readers have and could let us know if they have any information about this. I often wonder if all of these conditions like thyroid problems or in your case pericarditis are just coincidental, or the after effects of prolonged neurological overload? We have to keep on exploring!
Take good care of that heart,
Barbara

I have suffered from fibromyalgia since I was a teenager. I am now 34 and was diagnosed about four years ago. I developed pericarditis about three years ago, which has reoccurred two-three times a year. The cause of pericarditis is also not known, but it is suspected that it can be caused by diseases of the connective tissue. Have you found any links between the two conditions?

Dear Linda:
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am equally as grateful to the women who shared their stories which are found in my book. Our experiences are not as different as we might think. You are a brave woman… and most 60+ women are wonderful too
It is true that many post menopausal women have hypothyroidism. But, whether or not there is a connection to fibromyalgia remains to be seen as millions of pre and post menopausal women and many men have thyroid problems and do not have fibromyalgia. More questions than answers once again!
Enjoy those grandchildren!
Best wishes,
Barbara

I will be 65 on June 26, 2008. I have suffered with fibromyalgia for the past 32 years, and I KNOW when it began, without a single doubt at all. But let’s back up for a moment…..

When I was 18 years old, I graduated from high school and began my first job as a secretary for a law firm in Cleveland, Ohio. Within a few months of starting that position, I developed a very severe and debilitating case of mononucleosis. I became so ill that I was in bed around the clock and my mother even had to help me up to get to the bathroom. I eventually had to quit my job after being out for two straight months.

When I was 22, I went through an extremely traumatic experience which caused me untold stress and grief. However, I was determined to move on with my life and not let what had happened to me hamper me from living a life with some amount of joy in the future.

I got married at the age of 25 to the love of my life (and by the way, we just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on May 18, 2008 and we are more in love than ever!) and we began to build a wonderful life together. We had our first child, Andrew, in 1971, and when Andy was 3 months old, I discovered that I was pregnant again. Our daughter, Jenny was born in 1972, just five days before Andy was to turn one. We were a marvelously happy family. My husband was in the Coast Guard and we lived in Gulfport, Mississippi. I became pregnant again and had Matthew in 1976. This is where the story REALLY begins. We lived 26 miles from the Air Force Base where Matt was to be delivered, and due to a series of events that caused us to be sent home because “I wasn’t going to deliver that night” according to one of the higher ranking doctors, we ended up at home when I went into hard labor. By the time we raced to get back to the hospital, instead of having me deliver Matthew naturally, they gave me a spinal just minutes before he was born. I followed all of their directions about laying flat for a long time, but many hours later when the surgeon came to my room to see how I was doing, I was laying in my bed crying. He thought I was sad because of the birth, but no . . . my left hip was throbbing in such terrible pain that I almost couldn’t stand it! He said, “Well, maybe you were bumped when they transferred you from the labor table to the delivery table” but I knew that wasn’t it! Matthew was born on July 29, 1976, and I have never been out of pain from that day until this! My hips are both so bad that I can’t even sleep on a bed but had to have my husband fix up an old couch so that I could try to sleep without having any pressure on my hips.

Then, 16 years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and went through chemo and radiation, and Praise the Lord….I am still here, and have lived long enough to see seven beautiful grandchildren born! And oh yes….after Matthew, I had one more baby….Paul was born in 1983.

Last year, my 92-year-old mother died of ovarian cancer. However, I was able to obtain a reverse mortgage on our family home and Mom died there in peace in the family room, looking out over the back yard that she loved so well.

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with a thyroid so low that it came back .032 when tested, which is barely even recognizable as having any thyroid output at all! Then, I was sent to a rheumatologist who had my entire body x-rayed and it came back showing that I have osteoarthritis in every single area of my body that it’s possible to have it. I also have osteopenia and multiple chemical sensitivity.

I know it sounds like I am a walking mess, but I love life so much and am still serving the Lord with all of the abilities that He has given to me, and although I hurt from the moment I get up until I close my eyes at night, I STILL LOVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST and am just thrilled to be alive and enjoying every day with my family, my grandchildren, and my God.

I have been taking acetaminophen with codeine (Tylenol 3) for at least 12 years now. I started out just taking two a day, and over a period of time, have had to increase my dosage to 3 pills 3 times a day. However, it does really help me to get through my day without any side effects, but still lowers my pain to a tolerable state.

I know this is a very long “Reply” but I have always been interested in doing research that would lead to some kind of knowledge of where fibro really comes from. I have been in fibro groups and have learned that MANY, MANY fibro sufferers have very low thyroid numbers, and also, many of them had mono at some time in their life. I am convinced that the spinal that I was given for Matthew’s delivery was the deciding moment in my life that triggered my fibromyalgia. Just like the chicken pox virus can lie dormant in a person’s body and either NEVER be a problem in their life, OR….at some point, can emerge as shingles later on in life. I believe that there is always a catalyst that triggers the fibro pain response in the nervous system, and whether it stems from a “fender bender” in which a person should have gotten better but never did, or from a terrible stressful event that caused the person to feel like they were going through a bad case of the old-time “flu” but it just got worse and worse and never went away….or a spinal given in the delivery room that somehow “went wrong” and triggered my nervous system to suffer a complete blitz….whatever it is, it MOST CERTAINLY is not in our head. What kind of person would get up every morning and say to themselves, “You know….I think I’m just going to feel really bad today and hurt all over!” That’s the most insane idea I’ve ever heard of!!!

I have accepted the fact that I will have fibromyalgia for the rest of my life….but….IT WILL NOT HAVE ME!!! I get down on the floor and play with my grandchildren, even when I know that I will pay for it later when I go home or they go home!!! I refuse to live like a sad, sore old lady when I can determine that life is mine, and I am going to live it until I go to the mansion that God has prepared for me in Heaven!

Thanks for taking the time to read my story. Each of ours is different, but each is important, because when you put enough stories together….you just may learn the answer!

Sincerely,

Linda Breschini

Dear Sister Adrienne:
I am honored that you have visited my site. Your activism and involvement in the movement for social justice are awe inspiring. I am so sorry that after you have given so much to so many that you are suffering as you are. I feel particular sorrow over your struggle with breast cancer as I have lost so many dear friends to that dreaded disease. But, I also have friends who are survivors and I hope you are among them. The after effects you have suffered in your arms are horrific.
I want to point out that I am not a medical doctor and cannot, nor do I ever, diagnose or recommend treatment. In the past I have only spoken with or formally interviewed those who already have a diagnosis of fibomyalgia or chronic fatigue. Therefore, I can speak to what I have learned, experienced and researched over many years about these conditions, but cannot make any suggestions regarding personal health dilemmas or medical decisions.
My theory about the highly sensitive person and the impact this has had on the nervous system is just that…a theory. As you know theories are made to be tested and challenged. While I am personally wedded to this perspective of the over stimulated nervous system, there are many who will disagree, but many who already do concur. However, I do believe that rather than the soley bio-medical view of FMS/CFS, the one I put forward is worthy of serious consideration. My approach is one in which I integrate the biological/psychological/social/political issues that are involved in FMS/CFS, since they are complex syndromes (not diseases).
I regret that I am unable to comment on your difficulty in waiting so long to see a Primary Care Physician. Given that our Canadian health care system differs so dramatically from yours in the US, I can only hope that you will soon receive some answers.
I do have one suggestion however, and that is that you ask a medical expert directly to give you an examination based upon the ‘trigger points’ involved in fibromyalgia. Perhaps if you had a more clear cut diagnosis some of your frustrations might be resolved.
Still, if you do have fibromyalgia I should warn you that in spite of some claims that there is a cure for fibromyalgia, this just is not accurate. The medications for fibromyalgia, Neurontin and Lyrica seem to help many with pain and having taken Neurontin I can attest to that fact as it has helped me, but not ‘cured’ me of fibromyalgia!
Also it is noteworthy that people often develop fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue after a period of prolonged stress, surgery, an accident or an infection. It would appear that you have had three of the mentioned crises of late.
May you find answers soon, receive relief from pain, and continue in the struggle for those who are disadvantaged.
With respect and in solidarity,
Barbara

I believe we cannot be separated by our parts from our whole. While it is true that certain individual functions can be detected such as a hormone sending a signal or a protein setting up a certain process in the body etc., we are still connected to our selves; within ourselves; mind, body and spirit. I believe there are a constellation of issues, always, that cause an occurrance of “dis-ease”. I absolutely agree with the neurological and bacterial, as well as outside abuse factors, for this disease. I’ve been fighting breast cancer for two years. Due to the fact that my left arm cannot be used because of the surgical removal of lymphnodes, my right arm got worn out; viens collapsed; hardened, etc. through chemo-therapy, it became necessary to insert an irrigation device in my chest for a CT Scan. It was removed the same day, however, I felt an itching and bacterial response in my neck that moved into my lymphnodes and inflamed them severely. My situation fell through the cracks because I had no Primary Care Physician. The feeling of a bacterial infection dispursed throughout my body from the 12th of Mar. to the 17th of Mar., 2007. I found myself unable to use my hands or any part of my body as I had in the past. If I leaned on my elbows, my bones felt as though they had no support from my muscles, whatsoever and were going to fly through my flesh at the shoulders; brushing my hands against anything caused excruciating pain; there is a burning in my muscles, includiing my eye muscles that feels like someone is standing on them and slowly squashing them, without the Hydrocodone in my system, which doesn’t last long. I waited four months to see a Primary Care Physician; she gave me preliminary blood tests that showed no signs of arthritis or muscle disease, and no signs of infection. I sweat from the acetamenophen in the Hydrocodone, as if I have an infection. I’ve been referred to the Stanford Pain Center for evaluation; Morphine patches have been mentioned. From the investigations that I’ve done, I’ve been able to identify and describe a syndrome of pain that has a fybromyalgia/arthritic feel, but has not been identified medically as such. I don’t want to take medicine for the rest of my life. I’m an advocate for the poor and homeless in downtown San Jose, CA. I want someone to tell me what’s wrong so it can be cured. You may think that’s asking too much but you seem to be a fighter too. I claim your healing with mine; and power for your dedicated work to continue for the benefit of others.

God bless you and yours,
Sister Adrienne

Great! You were reading my mind…was considering writing a similiar article after reading your theory, no lie! I’ll just refer my visitors to you and let you do it because you are doing an excellent job!

You go girl!

Thank you for visiting my little site. I am honored.

Wishing you the best,
Tammy Elaine
The Ultimate Fibromyalgia Resource Center