Becky and Ellen,

Ellen mentioned that the numbness in the hands could be carpal tunnel syndrome.
Thought I'd add that carpal tunnel seems to be more prevalent in folks with
fibromyalgia. My mother was diagnosed a few months ago with fibromyalgia after
years of curious things that she couldn't get doctors to take her seriously on.
She had surgery for carpal tunnel on both hands, and had surgeries for trigger
fingers on all but one or two of her fingers over 2-3 years time. She's also had
terrific back and neck pains, and fatigue that would be overwhelming at times.
She finally found a rheumatologist who has fibromyalgia herself and was thus
both sympathetic and knowledgeable about the condition. She began treatments of
massage, water exercise, nightly strengthening exercises, prescribed naps to
coincide with the times my mom was typically worn out (right after lunch and
again after supper).  This has made a tremendous difference in her ability to
cope with everyday life. It was a relief just to know all her aches and pains
and fatigue were not just "in her head."

For more information on fibromyalgia, there are various groups in the
US(including The Arthritis Foundation, and fibromyalgia associations in Ohio,
Florida, Greater Washington (DC), Texas, New Hampshire, Washington state),
Canada (British Columbia, Atlantic Region, Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Quebec,
Ontario), United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Norway. There is also a quarterly
16 page newsletter called the "Fibromyalgia Network." Send a self-addressed,
stamped envelope to FM Network, P.O. Box 31750, Tuscon, AZ 85751-1750 or call
(602) 290-5508 between 8am and 5pm MST Monday through Friday for a free
information packet.

If any of you are interested in the specific address for the states and
countries with support groups listed above, email me privately.

Hope this helps.

Melissa Vickers, IBCLC (not looking forward to the hereditary tendencies of this
condition!)
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