Working and Fibromyalgia - do I qualify for benefit?

tobykim

my breathing is rubbish and heart keeps racing when it likes

Seriously, have you had a blood test to test your thyroid function, I had this and when I had my blood test (although they weren't looking for it) was found to have an overactive thyroid, shortness of breath, high pulse rate and palpitations, I believe some of the drugs for fibro can cause it although I have read that there are links between fibro and thyroid problems.

I have had fibro for 15 years that I know of although I'm convinced it's gone on longer than that. I did have amytriptyline at the start, then on tegretol for years now gabapentin, I try not to take too many as I find they make me dopey and as far as I'm concerned the only part of me that works properly is my head and I don't want the drugs to affect that

ash4becks

tobykim wrote: »

Seriously, have you had a blood test to test your thyroid function, I had this and when I had my blood test (although they weren't looking for it) was found to have an overactive thyroid, shortness of breath, high pulse rate and palpitations, I believe some of the drugs for fibro can cause it although I have read that there are links between fibro and thyroid problems.

I have had fibro for 15 years that I know of although I'm convinced it's gone on longer than that. I did have amytriptyline at the start, then on tegretol for years now gabapentin, I try not to take too many as I find they make me dopey and as far as I'm concerned the only part of me that works properly is my head and I don't want the drugs to affect that

funny you should say that mind, mum just been tested for thyroid and i have been tested a few times for it but nothing showed up level was 0.09 i think

my weight is really up and down this been like this always, but i spoke to doc about this as i have asthma also and she thinks my breathing and the heart rasing is due to tierdness and fatuge

just got another lot of blood tests done so see what that comes up with

tobykim

I've had loads of blood test over the years and they've showed nothing, however they don't always test for thyroid so heaven knows how long I've had it, this time they did and the result was really high, been on meds for a couple of months and am better but not quite there yet, reason I went for bloods, increased pain and I'd really slowed down more than usual.

Low TSH of 0.09 can be a sign of overactive thyroid but it needs to be coupled with T3 & T4 for a true result I believe, not completely au fait with the terminology yet as my consultant is horrible and doesn't speak so any info I get from the web

There is something about it here although this is abount Firbo and Underactive thyroid but the symptoms are similar so I'd definatley look into it http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/pages/conditions/fibro/fibro1.html

clairet1961

ash4becks wrote: »

you should apply sure you would at least get the disabity element other on here might be able to claify that

I'm afraid I earn too much

clairet1961

TOBRUK wrote: »

I take Pregabalin (Lyrica), I have M.E. and take the maximum dose possible of 600mg a day.

I have read somewhere that it is better than Gabapentin - stronger and more effective, but not many doctors prescribe it as it is more expensive apparently. I don't know if this is true.

Aparently this is true, my GP showed me what it costs the NHS for pregabalin, and told me this is how much the NHS loves me!:rotfl:

clairet1961

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas about things to combat the fatigue? I take pregabalin, fluuoxetine and amitryptyline (plus co-codamol, diazepam and ibuprofen when needed) which makes the pain manageable so i can still work, but the fatigue is terrible. I know I'm not going to be the life and soul of the party with all those meds, but I can't see me carrying on with my work without them.
Any tips or suggestions for fighting the fatigue would be greatly appreciated!

SingleSue

Ash - I started using a stick over the last month and it has been a wonderful help and has made things easier.

My only problem is that I just go on for longer and end up in the same state as I was pre stick! My physio loves telling me off for doing this.....I just don't know when to stop and will use any excuse to carry on!

ash4becks

SingleSue wrote: »

Ash - I started using a stick over the last month and it has been a wonderful help and has made things easier.

My only problem is that I just go on for longer and end up in the same state as I was pre stick! My physio loves telling me off for doing this.....I just don't know when to stop and will use any excuse to carry on!

well we will see, only good thing that happened out of seeing consultant was physio speicalist in hms only has two sessions before he said it would be 4 or 5 iam waiting to see how much a difference it will make but i really wish my breathing would get back to normally driving me crazy

tobykim

Can I ask re the fatigue, is it because of the pain or is it because of lack of sleep or both, reason I ask is because before I was getting up every two hours every night now I just get up once and am sleeping much better

clairet1961

tobykim wrote: »

Can I ask re the fatigue, is it because of the pain or is it because of lack of sleep or both, reason I ask is because before I was getting up every two hours every night now I just get up once and am sleeping much better

Hi:) and thanks for the reply

I'm not sure of the reason really, i seem to sleep well (that'll be the amitriptyline i reckon!) but if i wake up in the night i can't get back to sleep. Sometimes the pain wakes me and i take painkillers, but only if i have long enough left for them to wear off a bit before i have to drive to work. I find walking any distance really really tiring so i try not to do it but then i feel lazy. Sometimes i feel that if i had some support to walk (a stick?) then maybe i wouldn't be in so much pain and so tired. The pain seems centred around my back/hips/legs more than anywhere else and i know that the medication is to help that but i just get so frustrated!!

Sorry for rant:o