New! Am I Fibro?

[Partridge_pears]

Hi, I'm new here, I'll get right to the point. I'm 50, healthy as a horse.... BUT:

When I wake up in the morning (or, lay motionless for over one hour), all of my joints feel like they've been epoxied INTO PLACE! And no matter what limb I move, I feel like I'm breaking something (exKROOOOshiating pain!). After I move around for 2 minutes, everything is fine.

Here's a less dramatic example.

I wake up in the morning and my arms are gently draped across my chest, my elbows at a gentle "90 degrees" (not hyperextended, and not completely flexed... just right in the middle). As SOON as I wake up and extend my arm, oohhhhh my goodness it hurts! But after I move my arm a couple time, pain goes away.

Another example is when I first stand up in the morning. Whatever position my ankles have been all night.... as soon as I stand/walk and 'bend' those ankle joints, they feel like they are going to snap like rubber bands. I let out a yelp.

Again, as soon as I move around for a couple minutes, I'm fine.

Am I describing classic signs of fibromyalgia? Or does this sound more like something else?

Disclaimer: I already have an appointment with a doctor in 2 weeks, I'm not asking for "advice" nor do I want to put anyone in a "doctor/patient" position. Rather, I just wanted regular people (like you and me) to say, "Hey, that sorta sounds like xyz syndrome....," or, "Yep, that's fibro."

Thanks!

[SirPain]

This does not sound at all like fibro no.. My wife has fibro, bad for years...the symptoms you have do not add up.

What It does sound like is an arthritic condition.. Rheumatoid Arthritis.   Of it is this developing, it's very serious . Of course I cannot be sure... All I can do is advise check up at the docs ASAP . The longer you leave this, if it is that, you can get seriously worse so please do get it checked out soon , properely.

Hth..and be interested to know how you get on.

[TheLightSeeker]

Also
Grant Cooper, MD, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Author of
The Arthritis Handbook: Improve Your Health and Manage the Pain of Osteoarthritis (A DiaMedica Guide to Optimum Wellness) explains:

Synovial fluid is necessary for normal joint function. Synovial fluid moves into the cartilage when a joint is resting, and moves out into the joint space when the joint is active, particularly when the joint is engaged in a weight-bearing activity such as exercise. Synovial fluid lubricates the joints and permits smooth movement. It also provides important nutrients to them.

The aforementioned book  is a great resource, should you be mainly interested  in Osteoarthritis.

Cheers!
Niko

[TheLightSeeker]

Hi SumptinSpecial.

Well, this is basic medical science. It's just how this mechanism works.

I'm pressed for time, otherwise I would explain further myself, so I'll give you a link which describes all this very well.

Just do a search under:
"SYNOVIAL FLUID: An Overview
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Division of Basic Medical Sciences
Discipline of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
PBL SEMINAR MBBS III "

Cheers!
Niko

PS. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
In the event I don't get back to you soon, it is not because I forgot.
I'm preparing for a 3 month trip overseas and trying to get all my business
affairs in order, before I leave

[SumptinSpecial]

"If interested, let me know."
YES! Please!!! *very* interested!
Please share the tips you know of.

Also, can you clarify the, "When synovial fluid does not get activated," part? Who/what/where is it talked about that synovial fluid needs to be "activated?"

What you are saying sure hits the nail on the head! But I've never heard of what you are saying, so please tell more!

Thank you!!

[TheLightSeeker]

Hello to both of you.

I would say it's possibly related to effects of osteoarthritis.

When synovial fluid does not get activated by motion because of sleep or rest, in arthritic joints the lubricating process is diminished, due to lower
levels of fluid, less cartilage and cartilage integrity issues.

Upon activation by movement, usually in minimally compromised joints
by the effects of arthritis, the lubrication starts within a short time.

There are a few natural ways to improve joint health and help address the morning stiffness.

If interested, let me know.

I'm sure there are other possibilities, however, this is the most reasonable explanation I can offer.  

If you look at the the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia you will realize
that your symptoms do not meet these, specially when  you have not ruled out all other conditions first, which would explain the pain.
(see #3 criterion below)


2010 PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA (EXCERPT)
CRITERIA
A patient satisfies diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia if the following 3 conditions are met:

Widespread pain index (WPI) ≥7 and symptom severity (SS) scale score ≥5 or WPI 3 - 6 and SS scale score ≥9.
Symptoms have been present at a similar level for at least 3 months.
The patient does not have a disorder that would otherwise explain the pain.
ASCERTAINMENT
WPI: note the number areas in which the patient has had pain over the last week. In how many areas has the patient had pain? Score will be between 0 and 19.
Shoulder girdle, left
Shoulder girdle, right
Upper arm, left
Upper arm, right
Lower arm, left
Lower arm, right

Hip (buttock, trochanter), left
Hip (buttock, trochanter), right
Upper leg, left
Upper leg, right
Lower leg, left
Lower leg, right

Jaw, left
Jaw, right
Chest
Abdomen

Upper back
Lower back
Neck


SS scale score:
Fatigue
Waking unrefreshed
Cognitive symptoms
For the each of the 3 symptoms above, indicate the level of severity over the past week using the following scale:
0 = no problem
1 = slight or mild problems, generally mild or intermittent
2 = moderate, considerable problems, often present and/or at a moderate level
3 = severe: pervasive, continuous, life-disturbing problems

Considering somatic symptoms in general, indicate whether the patient has:*
0 = no symptoms
1 = few symptoms
2 = a moderate number of symptoms
3 = a great deal of symptoms

The SS scale score is the sum of the severity of the 3 symptoms (fatigue, waking unrefreshed, cognitive symptoms) plus the extent (severity) of somatic symptoms in general. The final score is between 0 and 12.
---Source: American College of Rheumatology---

I hope this helps, but please note that my comments do not constitute
medical advice.

Best wishes.
Niko

[SumptinSpecial]

I dunno... sounds like Fibromyalgia ("fibro" as you call it). I've been having similar symptoms - identical, actually! this past year, which is why I am lurking on this board.

I would be curious what others have to say about this. Your symptoms are almost identical to mine, with the exception that mine are in my main joints -- the elbows, the ankles, and the neck.

Anyone?