Dr and FIBRO

[skarey]

When I went to the Dr. yesterday I asked him about Fibro.  He said that my sx didn't really fit Fibro because I have t numbness and tingling.  He also said that Fibro patients usually are just really achy everywhere.  I am achy on and off, but have a lot of shooting/stabbling pain.  Most of my aches are in my neck and shoulders.  I am a bit confused cause from what I read, my sx are very much like those in Fibro.  Maybe he just doesn't know what he is talking about.  However he prescribed me with Elavil which I just read was a drug used in treating Fibro.  I haven't taken it yet as I am a bit scared of the side effects.  My mom said she took it once for depression and it made her feel crazy.  I am very sensitive to meds anyways, so I'm nervous about it.
  Anyways I just wanted to see what you all thought.
  Thanks!

[Caroline565]

Numbness and tingling are most likely to be caused by Myofascial Pain Syndrome, a syndrome that often accompanies FMS. Pressure on the nerve passing through a muscle and the myofascia or between myofascia and the bone can result in nerve compression.

The myofascia is the thin film that wraps around our muscle tissue. When it tightens, as is often the case with this syndrome, our muscles actually feel swollen. It may even lose it's elasticity. So, maybe you can picture an "overstuffed sausage" and understand there are nerves passing through this.

Some doctors place FMS and MPS together, yet they are different. FMS is biochemical and MPS is neuromuscular. The two together produce different types of pain and it can really become confusing to try and explain it to your doctor. Trigger points that are associated with MPS can be extremely painful and can refer pain to other parts of the body. They can also throw out "satellites", having a cascading effect. It is possible the shooting pain you are describing is from a trigger point.

It is possible to have trigger points and not have chronic MPS. Most people, if not all, will get them as a result of an injury or overuse situation some time during their lives. It is possible to have MPS and not FMS also. It is also possible to have MPS that leads into FMS--I was one of those people. I don't know what your symptoms are or if anyone has done any testing or even performed a tender point exam, but I think I would try the Elavil to see if you get any relief. If not, I would search for a doctor familiar with treating FMS/MPS asking them first, before you schedule an appointment.

[PlateletGal]

Yes ! Burning is one of the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

I can't remember if I've asked you this before.. but have your physician(s) ruled out lyme disease yet ? The preferred test for lyme disease is the IGeneX test.

Lyme Borrelia Test (CPT: 86617)—Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease) by Western Blot analysis. Justification: Many CFS, FMS and RA patients have this systemic infection (diagnosed as Lyme Disease) along with other co-infection(s). Recommended Lab: IGeneX Laboratories of Palo Alto, CA

Also.... we have a new health page, "Newly Diagnosed ?" that lists many other conditions that you should consider having ruled out before accepting a fibro or CFS diagnosis... here's the link:


http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Fibromyalgia/Newly-Diagnosed/show/754?cid=39

[skarey]

Do people with fibro also have burning?  My shins and top of feet burn sometimes my arms and hands.  I also notice that when  I get really stressed or upset my skin hurts.  

[PlateletGal]

Your physician doesn't seem to know too much about fibromyalgia. I recently heard this from another member and conducted a poll... asking everyone here if they have numbness and tingling. As I recall.. the majority of members said they do. Here is a link to an article about fibromyalgia that you may want to print for your physician. These symptoms can and often do go along with a fibromyalgia diagnosis:

http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/yourhealth/healthgate/getcontent.asp?URLhealthgate=11862.html

[skarey]

I went to my family practice dr.  I've also seen a Rheum who didn't even mention Fibro.  Seems very confusing to me cause I feel that I have a lot of the sx.

[kiddthekatt]

   You didn't say what kind of doctor you went to yesterday, but I'm sure glad he isn't my doctor. I am a fibro sufferer and I have numbness and tingling in my hands and feet, and believe me, I have more than achiness everywhere. I was DXed with Post Tramatic Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue a year ago in Jan. and I have severe pain all through my body. My body feels heavy and I feel as tho I have the flu 24/7. Right now I am in a flare that has been eating me up for several months. It will ease up, giving me hope of relief, and it over powers me again.

   I can't stand to wear a bra any longer because it feels like it is ripping my skin away from my body, so I wear white undershirts. Not the sexiest thing to wear but it isn't restricting. I woke up this morning and I can feel things growing out of my head. I realize that the growing feeling is really nerve endings but it hurts like hell none the less.

   I take the listed meds below,

Ultram ER 200mg- 2x a day
norco 10/350 - 3x a day
Flexeril 10mg- 1x a day
Retoril 15mg-1x a day
Zoloft 100mg-2x a day
blood pressure meds.
a total of 7 vitamins and supplements

and the pain never goes away completely. I have 2 fantastic doctots that take really good care of me, but I still have pain, but that is Fibro, it pities no one.

gentle hugs
Angel