Is this Fibromyalgia?

[Lakers66]

My girlfriend has these symptoms.

Tingling (like electrical) radiating pain moves from left back shoulder to wrist or feet or ankles and once in awhile on elbows.
Fatigue
Muscle spasm in ribs and middle back.

Can anyone with fibromyalgia relate to this? TIA

[tooyoungforfibro]

I do have those symptoms with fibro but they are not the main symptoms I have with the condition. It is definitely important to rule out any and all other possibilities before calling it fibromyalgia.
Hope this helps.

[katgood]

Actually gabapentin, or neurontin, isnt that bad, but I couldnt take it....helmet on head....pressure in head on nerves etc....i get that with the fibro...migrianes sometimes cause that sensation...feel like ur head is going to explode....but the bands around head or helmet feeling of pressure on outside is more tension headache....caused from nerves etc...lyrica is a good alternative drug for fibro.  Hope she finds a good doc soon.  A Rheumatologist could help.

[Lakers66]

Thank you so much for the info. Her regular doctor sent her to pain management and the pain management wanted to dose her up to eventually 3000mg of gabapentin. At 900mg a day she started to feel as though she had a helmut on her brain. When she told the dr. that, he said she need to see a shrink. She is no longer with that pain management dr. or taking Gabapentin.

[FurballsMom]

Sometimes low dose Neurontin can help people.  Do avoid the high doses, because that's when it becomes a problem.  Lower doses don't seem to carry the risks I know about.

Some supplements that help with parasthesia and peripheral neuropathy, which are common with fibro are: alpha lipoic acid and Acetyl L Carnitine.  If you use the latter, make absolutely sure your doctor is aware and approves of it.  These are antioxidants.  Alpha lipoic acid seems to bother my doctor a lot less, and I've never seen warnings for alpha lipoic acid, but I have seen warnings for Acetyl L Carnitine, so if you take these supplements, make sure you discuss it with your doctor.

[katgood]

The nerve pain from fibro can cause a numerous amount of probs, not always the same for all people.  The test for fibro is that they rule out other problems and if she tests positive to the trigger points that can be found all over the body.  Now that I think back, and somedays that is very difficult as my brains cognitive abilities are decreased to what alot of docs and patients call a fibro fog.  Sometimes the increased nerve activity and pain cause difficulties for the brain to process correctly and at times I even have difficulties with speech.  Lyrica (nerve pain med) is often helpful for fibro, but need to find her a good doctor that first believes in fibro becuz there r lots of docs who dont....and if u can get her to a rheumatologist as fibro falls into the rheumatoid family.  I pray that all turns out ok.  But definitely need to see the rheumie and a good chronic pain specialist

[CaughtOffGuard]

I'm not a doctor, but I do have fibro and I have the same symptoms.   I hate the tingling and burning pain!  I've tried several different fibro meds but didn't like the way they made me feel.  So, for now, I just take ibuprofin and use ice packs.  I love the ice packs!  I hope this helps.

Christina    

[texasgirl150]

No. I do not get the sensation that you are describing. I am not an expert or doctor but I think she should look into a doctor for a spine issue or a neurologist for ms. The people on the ms forum have a lot electricity type symptoms.

Best of luck!

[Lakers66]

She doesn't have the allover aches or constant tiredness or flu like symptoms. She did mention pain in the joints. But what bothers her most is the electrical/tingling feeling. That sensation is what I'm wondering if people with Fibromyalgia have.

[katgood]

I have had similar symptoms, but not from the fibro.....more from the degerative arthritis and herniated discs.  Fibro for me is more an allover achiness, constant tiredness, PAIN, and feeling as if I constantly have a severe case of flu or mononucliosis.  Pain in fibro is amplified as nerves are extra sensitive.  I also get alot of viruses very easily.