Encouragement for my soul!

I've really been struggling this week with all the new symptoms, tests & possible diagnosis. So when I couldn't sleep this morning, I dug into God's Word & pulled verses that comforted me in some way. So I thought I'd share here in case someone else is struggling.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV84)

Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things You planned for us no one can recount to You; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. (Psalm 40:5 NIV84)

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NIV84)

I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. (Psalm 31:7 NIV84)

I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4 NIV84)

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. (Psalm 34:7 NIV84)

The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. (Psalm 41:3 NIV84)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NIV84)

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22 NIV84)

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. (Psalm 62:1 NIV84)

But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise You more and more. (Psalm 71:14 NIV84)

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:26 NIV84)

He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord. (Psalm 112:7 NIV84)

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31 NIV84)

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27 NIV84)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV84)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12 NIV84)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV84)

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 NIV84)

For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. (Philippians 4:11b NIV84)

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13 NIV84)

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV84)

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 2:3 NIV84)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4 NIV84)

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7 NIV84)

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10 NIV84)

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 NIV84)

What if it's not JUST fibromyalgia?

I saw the doctor today. I love my doctor. He listens to me! He agreed that my symptoms were worrisome. He did think it was more than just fibromyalgia.


So, I'm scheduled for a brain MRI with & without contrast on Wednesday. I also had 5 big vials of blood taken for 12 different tests. And I got diagnosed with Raynaud Phenomenon & Allergic Rhinitis.


Today was a busy day & I pushed thoughts of what all this means out of my head. That was until I was driving to a play date. I felt scared & overwhelmed. To make it worse, the person I'd talk all this out with is out of town. Hubby's out of town till Friday night.


When I got home tonight I went through the tests. My doctor is being thorough. He's doing all the standard tests plus 3 thyroid tests. He's also doing the standard autoimmune tests like CBC, Creatine Kinase, ANA & Rheumatoid Factor.


I'm really glad he's checking all this. I need to know if it's more than Fibromyalgia. I'm trying not to think of all it could be (MS, Lupus, etc...). Instead I'm trying to rest in the fact that none of this surprises God! He has plans for me that I can't comprehend right now. I KNOW God has carried me through almost 42 years of life! He's seen me through happy times, sad times, troubled times, joyous times, painful times & yes, even scary times. God is faithful! I know that even if it ends up as a really bad diagnosis, it is all in His hands. And through any & all of this, I will trust God to work this all out for good & use it to bring Glory to Himself.

Is it just fibromyalgia?

Every time I have new symptoms, I have to ask myself this question! Is it really just my fibromyalgia or is it something new or something really serious??

I've been dealing with sinus issues for like 6 weeks now. So tired of it! On top of this, I've been having some new symptoms that have prompted me to get an appointment with my doctor. I see him on 3/19.

So many of them could just be fibromyalgia symptoms. But they could not be too. This is probably the most frustrating thing about fibromyalgia!

I'm dealing with really cold hands & feet. I notice at times my feet & even my finger tips are blue. I even noticed my lips were a little blue the other day.

I'm also having some weird numbness. I mean, I'm used to having some. But this is in different spots at different times. I'm having numbness in my face, on top of my head (makes me almost feel itchy), in middle of my back, in different places on my legs & tonight in my arms.

I'm also having a very hot face & sometimes it's red. Almost like I have a fever, but rest of me is cold. So annoying because I get subconscious when my face gets so red.

Today my Blood pressure was very low for me. It was 108/66. I have high blood pressure & usually run about 120/80 or higher when on meds. It's rare for me to be lower than 115/75. And I'm feeling very wiped out.

So, is it just fibromyalgia or is it something else. I'll let you know when I know!

Please pray for me. Pray that I'll get a correct diagnosis. I'm going to ask my doctor to recheck some things they check when they are trying to diagnose you with Fibromyalgia. It's been 15 years since I was diagnosed. Maybe some things have changed. Pray that I don't drive myself crazy between now & the 19th by letting my mind wander through all the possible things that could be going on. Thanks so much! I know that whatever the outcome, God is with me every step of the way & will work this out for good!