Does this sound like fibromyalgia???
I have been living with severe pain for several years, mostly in my legs. I have seen my doctor several times and we've done a few tests, ruled out rheum. arth., however they would not give me an MRI. I was diagnosed with patellar subluxation by an orthopedist, but I have been told that that alone should not be causing the pain I have. It is worse when I lay down at night to go to sleep. It can be described as what feels like a migraine in my legs. I know there are "tender points" but I only seem to have them in my legs. Sometimes the smallest poke in my legs hurts, feels like they are bruised. This has caused such an inconvenience in my life. In fact it is 3:30 am and I am up b/c I can't sleep due to the pain. My dr. gave me vicodin but as most know you build up an immunity to the effects so it doesn't work much for me anymore. So if anyone with fibromyalgia can tell me if they can relate to these symptoms? Or anyone who know a lot on the subject? Thanks.
Just wanted to comment on the RLS..I'm sure it's not this. The pain is just sometimes worse at night when I lay down, but I have it all day. My job requires quite a bit of walking, which should be "good" exercise, and in the case of RLS the pain should decrease with movement, which it does not. Other symptoms I have is absolutely no energy, even with a good night's rest, swollen ankles (rare), jaw pain, very painful menstrual cycles, and some new symptoms are headaches with dizziness and numbing sensations in my arms and legs....I'm sure RLS isn't causing this, in fact it seems to be the other way around.
Public Comments
1. Course they won't give you the test that could save time and your pain;plus they are cost effective for the corporate machine.You have the same thing that I do suffer,plus in my knees and hips sockets.I have a degenerative tendanosis I know that for sure and some other fun stuff,feel these vibrations in my calves too,plus you didnt say if you also suffer with restless legs,which by it self would cause you some mean grief as it does with me. patellar?Does this fill like they unhinge alittle and then pain starts?Wish you all the best,.......remember that there aint no money in a cure,just the treatment and of course BILLING!!2. try to google :restless leg syndrome
maybe thats what you have?It bothers people at night!
the other possibility:get a second opinion, pain in the legs that gets worse if you are laying down:maybe a nerve is compressed in the lower back?
you should have an MRI, in case you got a herniated disc?
3. No, it doesn't sound like FMS. Good news for you!
FWIW, RA can't be ruled out with a "few tests". It's not that easy. Between blood work and symptoms, that's how a diagnosis is made. Also a rheumatologist is the only one truly capable of diagnosing FMS, RA, Lupus, etc... it's their speciality.
You obviously have something going on... keep a diary of how your feeling, etc, etc and you'll see a pattern. That and a good doctor will help to figure out what's wrong. Good luck
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain. Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. Previously, fibromyalgia was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias
Difficult to describe sensations
People typically describe restless leg syndrome (RLS) symptoms as unpleasant sensations in their calves, thighs, feet or arms, often expressed as:
Deep-seated
Creeping
Crawling
Jittery
Tingling
Burning
Aching
Sometimes the sensations seem to defy description. People usually don't describe the condition as a muscle cramp or numbness.
Characteristics of signs and symptoms
Common characteristics of RLS signs and symptoms include:
Starts during inactivity. The sensation typically begins while you're lying down or sitting for an extended period of time, such as in a car, airplane or movie theater.
Relief by movement. The sensation of RLS lessens if you get up and move. People combat the sensation of restless leg in a number of ways — by stretching, jiggling their legs, pacing the floor, exercising or walking. This compelling desire to move is what gives restless leg syndrome its name.
Worsening of symptoms in the evening. Symptoms typically are less bothersome during the day and are felt primarily at night.
Nighttime leg twitching. RLS may be associated with another condition called periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS). Once called myoclonus, PLMS causes you to involuntarily flex and extend your legs while sleeping — without being aware you're doing it. Hundreds of these twitching or kicking movements may occur throughout the night. If you have severe RLS, these involuntary kicking movements may also occur while you're awake. PLMS is common in older adults, even without RLS, and doesn't always disrupt sleep. More than four out of five people with RLS also experience PLMS.
Most people with RLS find it difficult to get to sleep or stay asleep. Insomnia may lead to excessive daytime drowsiness, but RLS may prevent you from enjoying a daytime nap.
Although RLS doesn't lead to other serious conditions, symptoms can range from bothersome to incapacitating. In fact, it's common for symptoms to fluctuate in severity, and occasionally symptoms disappear for periods of time.
4. It could be fibromyalgia. Fibro is a muscle issue. The muscles aren't healing properly. This is thought to be because of sleep issues, the deepest stage of sleep is necessary for muscle healing. Normally, injured muscles contract in order to help themselves heal. Unfortunately, in people with fibromyalgia, the muscles remain contracted, and the myofascia lock. It's very painful. You may want to see a massage therapist. They often can unlock the muscles and really help with the pain. It can be a painful process. But, in the long term, you will be much better. You will have to learn to pace yourself to avoid injury, and get friendly with your massage therapist for the best long term control of your pain. Find one that specializes in fibromyalgia.
5. Well, it is interesting to read some of the previous answers, especially the last 2 above. I, although not a doctor, would say it sounds like fibromyalgia. Now, per the last answer talking about painful massages, I also think that would be a good idea because it'll eventually create more blood-flow around muscle tissues worked on, etc.
It is unfortuante the body works up a tolerance to pain meds. I know all too well that the body gets used to opiates. Have you tried to switch to Vicuprophen? At least that way you have an NSAID (Ibuprophen) in it- I'm not sure, but I thought Vicodin was a mixture of the same narcotic hydrocodone and APAP, which is essentially just Tylenol. But the IB in Vicuprophen may assist with any swelling, plus, it's a low dose, 200mg, per tablet in most cases, so if you even have to take 2 tabs at 15-20mg of hrdrocodone, your liver won't have too much difficulty in processng the 400mg of IB. My opinion, anyhow.
Now, here's the best news. See, I used to suffer from chronic "cervical spinal migraines", also known as cluster migraines, and after radio frequency (RF) treatment (that's the cauterization of the cervical nerve) did NOT work, and some $8,000 to find that out, I one day stumbled across an acai beversage called MonaVie. I drank it and didn't think it would help me, but it tasted great! I usually got my migraines, and these SOBs were like a 10 of 10 in terms of the pain scale; woke me up, I'd find myself tearing/crying, etc, but I remember I usually got theses migraines for 3 years, mostly at night-time, evening around 8pm or so. I lost my job due to not being able to stay late, and that was a good job with awesome benefits...the point is that because fruits are natural anti-inflammatories, somehow, the MonaVie stopped my migraines! I know it was the MonaVie because I did not change ANY habits. I slept the same, read the same position, watched movies the same way, etc. I'm now migraine-free since late Feb!! And that was almost 3 years of Hell. Now my friend who called me to see if I'd heard of MonaVe, suffered from cancer-testicular! Ouch. Well, he had one removed, and the nthe cancer stopped spreading. His wife, diagnosed with fibromyalgia, had migraines and the pain associated with fibromyalgia, and after taking the MonaVie for a week and some days, she felt BETTER! She basically said the pain was diminished in half, which was well-worth it to her. I know there's NO amount of money that I could have put on stopping those blasted migraines of mine (due to a head-on car wreck in Orlando); MonaVie has relieved my sanity and my health altogether and has been a true God-send. It sounds like maybe you'd benefit from MonaVie, but son't even take my word for it. Visit youtube.com right now, and simply type "monavie". You'll see wel over 1,100 videos on the subject, and you can even type in "fibromyalgia" to narrow it down. If you believe, well, it cannot hurt you, I'd be glad to share it with you- anyone, really. After all, the motto is "Drink it, Feel it, Share it!" If you feel like it, email me, J, at snowboardfreedom at yahoo. It's given me a newer life, but I cannot guarantee it is a "cure" as it is not, but we Americans NEED better diets and health to swing us and our children AWAY from all of the processed foods and such that may be helping caus ethese medical problems at large. Email me! And I know you'll feel better! God Bless..
6. you will undoubtably get an answer form HEALTH CRACKER-that is all he is--a cracker
Don't pay attention to the thumbs down-they are from teh FIBROFRUIT guy who doesn'tr know about REAL Fibromyalgia and is only tryign to sell his product and essentially steal your money-
THAT IS MY ADVICE.
7. could be FMS-
I too get severe pain -even with light touches....
the tenderpoints only hurt when you press them--and even experienced docs have difficutly locating tehm...
That being said-your symptoms can indicate a number of conditions-rheumatological, circulatory, other neuro, autoimmune, etc....
fibromyalgia is beleived to be a disorder of teh central nervous system--although there are muscle sympoms--the syndroem itself is a NEUROlogical problem
8. Sound like a seriies of things. Pain and tenderness in legs is cause by a general inflammatory condition of the body. Your whole body is inflammed may be by poor diet, poor nutitition or poor circulation of the leg. I have found just increasing you mineral supplements is very helpful. Increase you intake of fruits, vegetable and take a potassium supplement. Eat more food that are alkalline.
9. You haven’t been feeling right for a long time and everyone you talked to including your doctor, have pretty much made it clear that they think it’s all in your head. The doctor ran all kinds of tests and nothing showed up; no arthritis or lupus or anything else. No matter what the rest of the world says though, you know that your constant, chronic fatigue and unexplained pain aren’t normal. The whole thing is becoming rather depressing and it’s time to question your doctor about the fibromyalgia symptoms and the likelihood of it affecting your health. Just to review let’s go over the common signs of fibromyalgia and some of the less common ones as well just for good measure.
* The common symptoms of fibromyalgia
* Less reported signs of the disorder
* Ways to combat the pain and discomfort
The most common symptoms of this little talked about or understood disease are poor sleep patterns, giving the sufferer very little rest, chronic fatigue, and chronic pain. Some experts believe that sleep disorders may play a part in the occurrence of fibromyalgia, but nothing is proven as of yet. The constant fatigue very often plays havoc with the person’s personal and professional life for obvious reasons. Naturally dealing with pain in the back of the head, face, and upper regions of the body can make normal, daily activities impossible, especially without the benefit of a diagnosis and fibromyalgia treatment plan.
Some of the other symptoms of this disease many patients include problems with their bowels like diarrhea and constipation, not to mention bloating. Some people have also reported a heightened sensitivity to everyday things like light, noise, and even certain odors. In many cases a person’s brain function can be affected as well with problems in the areas of concentration, mood swings, and feelings of depression and anxiety.
Naturally the best way to cope with the fibromyalgia symptoms is to get a diagnosis and work closely with your doctor to find the right treatment of fibromyalgia for you. You can also help the situation by taking good care of yourself. The good news is that the symptoms of fibromyalgia respond very well to good health habits like getting plenty of rest, eating well, and including exercise in your daily activities. If you are experiencing these symptoms, and others, keep looking if your doctor won’t take your needs seriously. No one should have to live with fibromyalgia untreated.
Source: http://www.fibrofruit.com/fibromyalgia/9-spottingthefibromyalgiasymptoms.html
10. Hi,
The definitive dx for Fibro is 11 trigger points reacting out of 18. I've had it since age fourteen, that is about forty years worth.
I have also had three back operations and have neuropathy in both legs that is due partially to Fibro, nerve damage from the back operations.
Another possibilty that you may want to check into is RSD or now labeled CRPS. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy/ Chronic regional pain syndrome. I have it running neck and neck with Fibro. I'm not really sure how that is diagnosed. My nerves were damaged when they took a graft out of my pelvic area to put into my back. Since 1990 I can not have my hip touched without going through the roof. Just a thought for you to check out with your doctor. RSD can spread over time.
