I have been sick for three months now

[Rising Phoenix]

and nobody seems to know what is wrong with me. I am very itchy. Tomorrow I go back on steroids, and God knows what else. I am very depressed.
rant over

[suninvited]

1. I had hives every single day for seven years.

EVERY day!!! I know how horrible it is. I also gained about forty pounds during that time and just didnt feel good.

I had a series of acupuncture treatments in 1999 and I have only had hives maybe a dozen times in the 8 years since then.

Hopefully you get some answers soon.

[Rising Phoenix]

2. I'm sorry to hear about your hives

but am intrigued by the idea of acupunture....hmmmm

[suninvited]

17. It wouldnt hurt to just talk to an acupuncturist and see

if they thought they could provide some relief for you.

I knew after just one session that it was going to be a success.

After six years of prednisone and popping vistaril like candy I had my first itch free day the first day after getting my first acupuncture treatment. And my first full nights sleep, I might add. Acupuncture can really wipe you out for a few hours.

[Akoto]

3. Man, I know that feeling.

I have a chronic pain condition. The doctors have a name for it, but that's about all they seem to know. Treatments are all hit or miss, with some people simply having to live with it for the rest of their lives.

It gets me depressed, never knowing whether my day will be good or just another period of suffering. I'll probably go and see a psychologist soon. You never realize how mentally taxing chronic illness can be until it hits you!

Stinks to be in this position in my early 20s, but I keep telling myself that my life is not over.

[Rising Phoenix]

4. I am thirty

and I keep thinking if this is forever than my life is over....I am not new to chronic diseases ( I have several) and had finally come to terms with them. And now this....I just don't understand why some people (it seems) are born to suffer.

[drmeow]

8. Fibromyalgia? Myofascial pain?

[Rising Phoenix]

10. I do have fibromyalgia, recently diagnosed

[drmeow]

16. See if you can find someone

who does a mindfulness meditation based (or mindfulness combined with CBT) treatment for pain. I work in a lab that studies FMS and we've found that pain, fatigue, and disability approve with a mindfulness based intervention.

[Akoto]

29. Sorry, I wasn't on most of the day after posting!

These days, it's called Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome. It used to be separately treated as Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis in men, and Interstitial Cystitis in women, but researchers/uros have since begun to realize that the two are connected. This is partly because the prostate doesn't seem to be the source of the pain, despite the similarity to prostatitis. As well, women were having similar symptoms, and they obviously don't have prostates.

They aren't exactly sure of the cause, and indeed, there may be more than one. Some believe the cause is nerve-related (possibly central sensitization), whereas others think it's muscular. A few believe it's a form of Fibromyalgia or CRPS. Many guys do find relief by way of myofascial trigger point release, but not all.

I was told rather bluntly that very little is known about it. There's no medication, and there's no surgical solution, so very little research has been pushed for. This, despite the fact that it's an extremely common condition. No money in it, I guess.

[elleng]

25. They call it

something like 'unknown pain causer!'In latin, so it sounds like they know something.

May something here will help.

http://migraine.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/a-lifetime-of-pain-and-she-still-will-not-complain/index.html

http://migraine.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/19/leaving-the-rabbit-hole/index.html?ref=opinion

[NJmaverick]

5. RP, If I had to guess, I would consider some sort of

auto immune issue.

[Rising Phoenix]

6. yes, unfortunately, that is my guess too

I have an appt. tomorrow.....we'll see what they say.....I just have to get through the day....sigh....I say that everyday....

[NJmaverick]

7. One day at a time

Best way to take them

[Inchworm]

9. Sorry RP

It seems there are some lingering colds and viruses out there this year.

I hope you get better soon.

:hug:

[Rising Phoenix]

11. thanks

I wish it was just a cold

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. Booger. I am so sorry *hugs* Too bad you can't go see this guy

[Rising Phoenix]

13. yes....House would figure it out

and maybe I could score some Vicoden!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

14. dude i have a throat/lung problem for 2 months now

i really cant handle it

[Rising Phoenix]

15. I"m so sorry to hear that

I for one am tired of being sick.....as I"m sure you are....:loveya: feel better :hug:

[BarenakedLady]

20. I must have the same thing LP

I just can't shake this damn thing. It's been about a month 1/2.

:(

[lightningandsnow]

18. Damn!

I hope they find out what's causing it, and you get better real soon!

:hug:

[Rising Phoenix]

23. thanks sweetie

[LaurenG]

19. Well, I think you had a hard year, I'm sure it was incredibly stressful for you.

Good vibes to heal quickly. :hug:

[Rising Phoenix]

21. you are very right

thanks :hug:

[Rising Phoenix]

22. you are very right

thanks :hug:

[Madrone]

24. Have you been tested for lupus yet?

If not do, if so - maybe ask to be tested again.

I have a fibromyalgia diagnosis - and was tested for lupus 10 years ago. Lupus has recently made it back onto my radar and I'm going to ask to be tested again. Too many bizarro freaking symptoms that are all moving targets. Nothing consistent - symptoms mutate and change and never make SENSE. The worst part is (and I think you can relate to this) I feel like I'm ALWAYS complaining about this fucked up thing or that - and it makes me feel like the worlds worst hypochondriac on the PLANET. Except I *know* I'm not.

Anyway - the bizarre mutating and moving symptoms crap is VERY indicative of lupus.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

26. Hang in there.

:hug:

[Breeze54]

27. Have you been tested for allergies?

I had a similar experience during a stressful time and the Dr. said it was my nerves

and caused by stress. He gave me pills to calm me down. That was over 30 years ago.

[KT2000]

28. One thing you may want to do

is consider environmental causes. For example, formaldehyde can cause many symptoms - all-over itchiness, insomnia, headaches, sinus problems, confusion and fatigue. This does not show up as an allergy.

It is found in so many things that many are becoming overwhelmed by it. It is in fabrics - all fabrics, particle board furniture, treatments on upholstery, shampoos, soaps, carpets, paint, insulation in homes, glues and lots more.

Have you had anything new in your home? Are you using different personal care products and laundry detergent? or have your usual ones changed their formulations. Do you have a water softening system? Do you have a neighbor who has applied chemicals such as pesticides in their yard? Is air being vented into your house from a place that has toxic chemicals?

Doctors do not usually consider these things but they are causing more and more illness.

[BreweryYardRat]

30. Kind of an off-and-on pins-and-needles sensation?

I've been getting that since late November.