I won't go into all the details of what i was feelign but to summarize it I was and I am still experiencing Chronic Fatigue Swollen Joints Sensitivity to light Skins pain (hurts to be touched) Confusion or brain fog Nerve Pain Now what the docotr explained is that it is not one particular test that is done liek with diabetes.  But a series of tests that rule out other conditions. For example I had an EMG done which came back to show it is not carpel tunnel.  I also had sugar test done.  Let's say dumping was the elast of my concern I thought I would die.  Anyway I hope this helped. Maxine

as far as i know you will need a doctor to refer you,at least i did(im not obese i have back problems),there may be a some that dont need it, good luck and hope you find relief

So here is an update.  I have been to see another orthopedic surgeon, this one in Vancouver (a 2 hour ferry ride from my city)  and he is willing to replace both my knees at the ripe old age of 51! Now I just have about a month to get ready for the first knee and three months for the next one...  so any advice anyone has to offer would be welcome! How exciting and terrifying at the same time Holly

The way my doctor put it is I can do any excercise I want as long as my feet don't touch the ground or push/pull any weights....in other words GET IN THE WATER!!! LOL  I agree water aerobics is wonderful...I haven't tried one specifically for arthritis because it's usually during the day when I work.  I'm even joining the Y after surgery instead of keeping my membership to the city rec because I'll be able to do deep water classes more often. Good luck and just keep swimming! Jana <---- bone on bone knees

I forgot to mention that I also have cluster headaches - and a lot of anti-seizure meds are supposed to help relieve the pain of fibro and cluster headaches - so I think I tried almost all of them. Some of the anti-seizure meds (like Lyrica & Neurontin) didn't make a difference in my pain levels. Others (like Topamax, Topiril and Depakote) made my head feel funny - like there was cotton in it, or they caused me to be forgetful. My doctor's also tried me on Cymbalta - which is an SSNRI anti-depressant that is supposed to relieve pain associated with depression. That didn't work for me either. I just felt more depressed - and had to stop that. I was taking Ultram as often as my prescription required (I don't remember how many hours apart I could take the meds - but I could feel my pain return before the next pill was due). After I finished my physical therapy and got into a regular exercise routine - I didn't need Ultram during the day. If I had any daytime pain, I was able to manage it with OTC Tylenol. I only needed a stronger pain med before going to bed at night. As for Flexeril - I made a mistake in the name. It's not an NSAID - so please ignore what I wrote about it in my last post. Flexeril is a great muscle relaxer!  I don't remember why my doctors switched me from Flexeril to Zanaflex - but they're both the same type of medication - and they both have generic equivalents that are inexpensive. If the Flexeril works for you - then I'd say keep taking it! The one thing that I really would like to emphasize - exercise has been the biggest pain reliever of all for me. If you are able to start exercising - start off easy and gentle - and very slowly build up. I was fortunate that my husband's insurance paid for physical therapy. The PT was able to tell me how to exercise - and when to increase.