fibro and swelling

[1TxLady]

I was diagnosed with fibro 3 years agoat age 48 after suffering for some time with CFS, then i was bitten by a brown recluse spider and between the steroids, venom and mega antibiotics it was too much for the immune system to handle and I was thrown into full blown fibromyalgia per my team of physicians... all noted specialists.

I have had intermittent swelling (all over but more obviously noticeable in legs, feet) since prior to the diagnosis. Since I had pneumonia in January 2005, the swelling has been constant, slightly alleviated after sleeping several hours .. a rarity. ( and it ( swelling) had gradually increased in annoyance prior to that)

Recently, my new fms doctor ran several tests to try to find a cause. Results thus far .....no congestive heart, no kidney or liver dysfunction, glucose normal, thyroid low normal as has been my entire life.

4 weeks ago, started a regimen ( doc rx) of vitamins, minerals and enzymes ( including daily multi, magnesium, chondroitin, glucosamine, flax oil, msm, green tea, calcium, b complex), along with indomethicin to relieve my considerable inflammation and pain, a low dose thyroid ( armour 30 mg/day) med, and 25 mg of spironolactone daily ....

results are ... no fluid or other weight loss, pain is diminished considerably but no change in fluid retention which doc estimated at 35 lbs. + ... additionally my eating plan is all natural foods, no sugar, no carbonated drinks, purified water, limited starches from whole grain whole foods bread, pasta.......

BP is normal ( for me) ... 130/78 in pain, 105/65 when not in pain


my question is many fold ...

what could be causing the edema, is it fibro related, what else to test for and any possible solutions or change of meds ?

and when i say swelling... my feet and legs are swollen considerably although it is obvious i am holding fluid all over my body .. and my feet look like Fred Flintstone where i am accustomed to having thin feet with bones and veins visible, slender ankle bones that show......
P.S. -- the testing i underwent 3 years ago, included ruling out lupus, RA, lyme disease and many other similar symptom diseases.. i gave innumerable vials of blood, had mri's, petscan, xrays, and even a bone marrow test << at the time i was making excessive red and white cells) which is now back in a more normal range .......

however as a side note... i maintain "lumps" in my soft tissue /muscles.. particularly in my outer thighs where one can run their hand down the thigh and feel them and they are tender to the touch .. although i have tenderness in all points for fibro patients

my specialists included at the time . .. hematologist, infectious disease, rheumatologist..... i was then referred by my team of physicians to the head of infectious disease at SW Medical Ctr for further testing...... he found nothing beyond what we already knew.

[Health Dr. 2]

Hi

Not knowing your complete history it is difficult to comment on what the cause of the swelling might be. Are you drinking enough filtered water, are you exercising? It could be that you body is still reacting to the spider bide venom. Have you done a digestive tract clenase? I would definitely recommend this. How about hormone balance. I would definitely check the hormones through saliva testing.

I would also suggest that you give the supplements time to work. Healing the body naturally takes time. If you did not cleanse before starting your vitamins then it could be that you are not getting the full benefits.

Keep up the good work with your diet. I would also suggest that you get Dr. Group's ebook Fibromyalgia Secrets Revealed.

Let me know how you are doing.

Take Care & Be Well
Health Dr. 2