do i have fibromyaliga?

[mamarabbit02]

I really don't know if i have fibromyaliga or not.  I  just reccently found out about 2 months ago I have insulint resistance.  I'm going to an endo dr. and my blood works shows that my c-reactive protein, cardiac blood test results was extremely high.... love is <1.00 , average is 1.00 -3.00 and high is >3.00. MY results is 37.90.  it says i'm at a relative risk for future cardiovascular event.  The dr. doesn't seem to think that its as much to do with my heart, as it is inflamantion in my body.  He seems to think fibromyaliga or lupus.  I"m on byetta for my insluin resistance and he is going to recheck me again in 3 months.  He seems to think that my numbers will come down due to the medicine.  These are my symptoms: depression , numbneess or tingling in my hands and in my feet and legs i think i've got restless leg syndrome.  I have a time i call the FOG, because it seems like i can't constrate on anything...it is a task for me.  I get dizzy and have anxiety.  My joints hurt and shoulders and hips have hurt me for years.  I have tmj headaches, irritable bowel problems...very fatigur and have problems with my sleeping....noises and bright lights, and my goodness certain odors are horrible.  I've been in bed 3 days this week.  Today i feel better.. can anyone help answer my questions??
does this blood test result show up in any of yours that has fibro.  please help!!!

[bcb1200]

I believe this is Lyme.  I know because I was just diagnosed after feeling unwell for 6 months.  Most doctors think Lyme only affects the joints.  NOT TRUE.

You need to get to an ILADS trained LLMD (Lyme LIterate Doctor) so they can give you the proper test and evaluation. MOst regular docs give you the standard lyme test which gives a false negative 50% of the time.  I know..I tested negative in March, but positive in April with a better test from my lyme doc.

Here is a complete list of symptoms.  If you have / had (symptoms tend to come and go) 20 or more symptoms...strongly suspect lyme.

Many Lyme patients were firstly diagnosed with other illnesses such as Juvenile Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Reactive Arthritis, Infectious Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, Raynaud's Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Interstitial Cystis, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Fifth Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, scleroderma, lupus, early ALS, early Alzheimers Disease, crohn's disease, ménières syndrome, reynaud's syndrome, sjogren's syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, prostatitis, psychiatric disorders (bipolar, depression, etc.), encephalitis, sleep disorders, thyroid disease and various other illnesses. see Other Diseases and Lyme...Relationship

If you have received one of these diagnoses please scroll down and see if you recognize a broader range of symptoms.

If you are a doctor please re-examine these diagnoses, incorporating Lyme in the differential diagnoses.

The one common thread with Lyme Disease is the number of systems affected (brain, central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, musco-skeletal, etc.) and sometimes the hourly/daily/weekly/monthly changing of symptoms.

No one will have all symptoms but if many are present serious consideration must be given by any physician to Lyme as the possible culprit. Lyme is endemic in Canada period. The infection rate with Lyme in the tick population is exploding in North America and as the earth's temperature warms this trend is expected to continue.

Symptoms may come and go in varying degrees with fluctuation from one symptom to another. There may be a period of what feels like remission only to be followed by another onset of symptoms.

Free Canadian Lyme Disease Brochure (a computer file for you to print)


PRINT AND CIRCLE ALL YES ANSWERS ( 20 yes represents a serious potential and Lyme should be included in diagnostic workup )
Symptoms of Lyme Disease
The Tick Bite (fewer than 50% recall a tick bite or get/see the rash)
Rash at site of bite
Rashes on other parts of your body
Rash basically circular, oval and spreading out (more generalized)
Raised rash, disappearing and recurring


Head, Face, Neck


Unexplained hair loss
Headache, mild or severe, Seizures
Pressure in head, white matter lesions in brain (MRI)
Twitching of facial or other muscles
Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy, Horner's syndrome)
Tingling of nose, (tip of) tongue, cheek or facial flushing
Stiff or painful neck
Jaw pain or stiffness
Dental problems (unexplained)
Sore throat, clearing throat a lot, phlegm ( flem ), hoarseness, runny nose


Eyes/Vision


Double or blurry vision
Increased floating spots
Pain in eyes, or swelling around eyes
Oversensitivity to light
Flashing lights/Peripheral waves/phantom images in corner of eyes


Ears/Hearing


Decreased hearing in one or both ears, plugged ears
Buzzing in ears
Pain in ears, oversensitivity to sounds
Ringing in one or both ears


Digestive and Excretory Systems


Diarrhea
Constipation
Irritable bladder (trouble starting, stopping) or Interstitial cystitis
Upset stomach (nausea or pain) or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)


Musculoskeletal System


Bone pain, joint pain or swelling, carpal tunnel syndrome
Stiffness of joints, back, neck, tennis elbow
Muscle pain or cramps, (Fibromyalgia)


Respiratory and Circulatory Systems


Shortness of breath, can't get full/satisfying breath, cough
Chest pain or rib soreness
Night sweats or unexplained chills
Heart palpitations or extra beats
Endocarditis, Heart blockage


Neurologic System


Tremors or unexplained shaking
Burning or stabbing sensations in the body
Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Weakness, peripheral neuropathy or partial paralysis
Pressure in the head
Numbness in body, tingling, pinpricks
Poor balance, dizziness, difficulty walking
Increased motion sickness
Lightheadedness, wooziness


Psychological well-being


Mood swings, irritability, bi-polar disorder
Unusual depression
Disorientation (getting or feeling lost)
Feeling as if you are losing your mind
Over-emotional reactions, crying easily
Too much sleep, or insomnia
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Narcolepsy, sleep apnea
Panic attacks, anxiety


Mental Capability


Memory loss (short or long term)
Confusion, difficulty in thinking
Difficulty with concentration or reading
Going to the wrong place
Speech difficulty (slurred or slow)
Stammering speech
Forgetting how to perform simple tasks


Reproduction and Sexuality


Loss of sex drive
Sexual dysfunction
Unexplained menstral pain, irregularity
Unexplained breast pain, discharge
Testicular or pelvic pain


General Well-being


Phantom smells
Unexplained weight gain, loss
Extreme fatigue
Swollen glands/lymph nodes
Unexplained fevers (high or low grade)
Continual infections (sinus, kidney, eye, etc.)
Symptoms seem to change, come and go
Pain migrates (moves) to different body parts
Early on, experienced a "flu-like" illness, after which you have not since felt well.
Low body temperature

Allergies/Chemical sensitivities

Increased effect from alcohol and possible worse hangover

[dustybrown]

Hello,
I am sorry that you are going through so much. Please know that we are here for you. The pain and stress of fibro can be overwhelming and horrible at times. It's good to reach out to people. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you.
-Dusty

[kaza107]

i have had firomyaliga for 2 years all my joints hurt my fingers are so stiff thay lock and hurt to open, i am sick of the pain i hate the shockes i get through my body and the only way thay stop is amitriptaline that the dr has put me on. i used to be so active working in care, i hate my life, i walk with a stick, and now have to go to court to prove i am ill what a joke the dr who said i have this doesnt even help me just more and more tablets he want even help with disbliaty allowance with a med report, i have been turned down twice for dla no one wants to help how can i get over this.

[luckydzack1]

I suggest you ask your doc to send you to a rheumatologist to test you for fibromyalgia. I have had it for about 24 years now & have just been properly diagnosed. I was first told I had lupus, then it was hepatitis, then it was rheumatoid arthristis, then it was arthritis. I worked in an office for the past 18 years & have just recently went off of work. I just couldn't take it anymore. I went to a lawyer to see what I could do without being fired & losing my long term disability benefits. He said there is no way they can fire you if you have to go off of work because of an illness. Because I had been there for so long he said they can't do anything for at least 2 years. I have been off since Feb. have got some relief since I don't have to get up at 4 am for work. But am still in pain everyday. It takes me all week just to do my housework, and because I had to use my hands so much at work,they are so sore now that I can't hardly peel potatoes for supper. I can't imagine what you are going through with 3 children too. I only have myself, husband & 3 pets, & I find it hard enough taking care of them.
I really suggest you ask your doc to send you to a specialist to be tested. There are no real tests, they just test for other things & if they come back negative, they will check you for the pressure points which there are 18 of them. I have 18 out of 18.
Hope you can get some relief soon.
luckyzack1

[millian]

can anyone help me understand what im going through? i have a multiple number of problems, and doctors don't seem to be able to determine  the exact cause of all the pain i feel. i have severe back pain, my hands and feet feel like needles are poking me all the time, my hips hurt, i have been diagnosed with endometriosis, irritable bowl syndrome, and arthuritus. i do care giving work and it is really hard for me. by the time i get home everyday i am beat my body just plain hurts and i am exhausted. im a 24 year old female and for no reason at all i just stopped having a period.  i have three kids and it is really hard for me to function in my everyday life i have dealt with this pain for quite some time. it hurts to move, and it hurts not to move. it makes me depressed, my hands and feet swell, and i hear a grinding sound in my joints on occasion. i know it seems like a lot but its what i go through everyday does anyone have any suggestions? please let me know any information i might be able to take back to my doctors! i just want to have a normal day!!!  

[patsy10]

If you have fibro it sounds like secondary fibro, meaning fibro caused by another disease process.  Fibro is "a group of symptoms without a known cause".  It is not an actual disease.  Since your c reactive protein is elevated there is probably some kind of disease process going on.  As Angela pointed out above, diseases that should be  ruled in or out.

[kimkim454]

i was sent to a rheumatologist last week by my primary doc because of severely aching joints, esp shouder, elbows. hips and knees which started about 6 months ago and has been getting worse every month. he ordered 15 tests to be drawn. my next appt is 3 weeks. i was addicted to oxycodone for about 6 months last summer. what kind of meds do they put you on for fibromyalgia?

[PlateletGal]

That is an extremely high C-Reactive Protein level. My result was also high, but that was due to adrenal insufficiency (common in CFS patients).

[angela1983]

I also have fibromyalgia and a extremely high C-REACTIVE my last test came bac as a 47, the highest so far. As far as I know Fibromyalgia will not cause these inflammation markers per my doctors/specialists/research. Though whatever is causing the c-reactive most likely caused the Fibromyalgia. Some of the things they have tested me for with my CREACTIVE being so high , which you want to look into are:
Lyme Disease
Hepatitis
HIV
Lupus
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Celiac's Disease

NOT saying you have any of those because I tested negative for all of them, and I am being sent to a hospital for more help. But u may want to look into those. Good luck :  )

[always hurting]

Hi, I have fibromyaligia along with a whole host of other problems, so many i cant determand what is the fibrmo. I have a pain in the middle of my sternum through to my back. At times i think its my stomake and sometimes my back does any one have this pain along with the fibromiligia.

[Achey]

I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  It has gotten so bad that I had to recently leave my job on a medical leave of absence.  I have almost no energy.  I hurt all over, especially in my joints.  I have problems with diarrhea and vomiting. I also have tingling in my hands. It has affected all aspects of my  life.  I am only 44 years old.  You sound a lot like me.  I would be willing to bet that you do have Fibromyalgia.  Be sure to follow-up with your doctor.  I am followed in a pain clinic.  I also have a back injury.  It's hard to determine where the back injury ends and the Fibromyalgia begins.  

[PlateletGal]

It certainly sounds like FM is causing your problems. I would also consider getting tested for lyme disease --- preferably the western blot test and you may need to get it repeated because often people have negative results, even though they have lyme.

There is a test for both CFS & FM, but it is still in the research phase. You can pay to have the test done, but it involves spinal fluid, not blood. The name of the laboratory that does the test is Red Labs USA and if you do a search, you will easily find their website.

[mamarabbit02]

THANK YOU !!!
I DO UNDERSTAND ABOUT DOING TO MUCH IT THEN GETS YOU DOWN FOR DAYS AT A TIME...THAT IS WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH...
HUGS TO YOU

[snootynan]

Fibro has no blood tests.  All blood tests can do is eliminate what you don't have.  When you suspect fibro, they usually test for lupus and MS.  There is no test for Fibro.  Alot of what you've said sounds like fibro, the aching, sleeplessness, fatique, etc.  I've had it for 13 years now.  You have good days and you have terrible days.  If you do to much housework or gardening, you will pay for the next few days.  It feels like you energy is totally gone.  Taking a nap doesn't work, at least for me.  You have to do a little exercise, walking.  It's hard, because you have no energy.  It just wears you out until your body gets used to it.  It just plain poops me out.  But it's supposed to be helpful