Fibromyalgia or something else?
I have been dealing with severe back pain for many years - though in spurts. In 2006, I went to my doctor and was prescribed medication for back spasms due to stress. I used this medication for about a year until my pain became more manageable and I stopped taking them. My back pain has been constant, but not with the normal spasms - just an ache that was almost constant. This past year, my back has become worse than it ever was. I sometimes have back spams in waves, where the spasms are so severe I literally writhe in pain. The pain spreads to my legs and arms, and I find it very difficult to move or speak. These waves last a couple minutes at a time with interspersed breaks from the waves where I am still in pain but no longer seizing. These attacks often last for three to six hours. I have been trying to think of what this problem could be... I have studied fibromyalgia as a possibility, since I also have migraines (one or two a week) and problems sleeping; however, I was wondering what other possibilities there might be. I also tend to struggle with depression and anxiety, so those are also possible causes/symptoms. Thanks!
BTW - I'm 21.
Public Comments
1. Fibromyalgia is often a diagnosis doctors give when they don't know what else is going on. Don't search out a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.If you haven't already, you need to have blood tests done. They need to search out all possibilities. If your doctor won't run blood tests, find another doctor who will.
It sounds like whatever is going on, it's beyond a GP. You might benefit from seeing a rheumatologist or a neurologist.
Document your symptoms, keep records of everything and don't be put off by rude doctors.
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2. i doubt its fibro..
it sounds like a structural problem with your back---that would cause pain in your limbs too
3. W.a.b.b.y. is ABSOLUTELY right.
Absolutely.
And you may, indeed, experience a lot of rude doctors.
It took me years to get a diagnosis. I heard "maybe fibromyalgia," "maybe chronic fatigue," "maybe aging," "maybe you're a nutjob," etc. No one seemed to understand that even though I LOOKED fine and could walk across a neurologist's office with no problem, my muscle tightness was excruciating and making it darn near impossible to move for three days if I had to do any kind of extended activity.
Turns out I have a very rare genetic disorder; an open-minded neurologist finally ordered the test from a private lab (even though he didn't think I really needed it), and a university specialist diagnosed it.
Best thing I ever did? Finally found a primary care provider who listened and took me seriously. He got me to the specialists I needed, and when one was rude or we hit a dead end, he got me to another.
