Unrelenting Muscle Pain

[AnnHamill]

My husband has suffered unbearable muscle pain for the last 3 months.  His doctor has ruled out any reaction to Caduet and Micartis HCT which he takes daily.  Tests also rule out arthritis, but his primary physician is sending him to an arthritis specialist, saying he has done everything he knows to do and the specialist will know what to do next.  He says he doesn't think he has Fibromyalgia in spite of most of the symptoms being the same as my husband's.  Also, his brother's daughter has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and when they compared symptoms, he strongly believed that is what he has.  We hope the doctor's right because we understand there is little treatment available. Currently, he is on pain pills while waiting to get an appointment with the specialist, but with each new prescription, it works at first, then seems to become ineffective.  He has a horror of becoming addicted to pain medication, but is in such pain that he is miserable all the time and has told me he can't go through life in this constant state of pain.  The worst pain is in his arms, a little below his arm sockets, but his lower arms, thighs and calves also hurt as well as his neck.   Does anyone know a condition that sounds like this?    

[Mollyrae]

Oh, yes, I have had MRI's CT Scans, X-Ray's ect...I have had 5 Back surgerys and the latest Scan of my spine (can't have MRI's because of the metal in the spine) revealed mild Stenosis, thickening of the muscle, scar tissue, all the things that o with numerous surgerys. The problem is not with the back but with the wide spread muscle & joint pain. My feet and fingers are especially effected. If I'm on my feet for a while and then sit for a period of time, it is extremely hard for me to get up and walk again. Same with fingers, it's hard to grip and the strengh is at a minimal. I am able to work it off if I stay up and moving but the more I do, the worse it gets when rest.
My Blood tests did show elevated Protiens and Sed Rate. That had been a mystery to the Doctors. My next stop is the Hematologist. The last time I saw him he discovered that my Red Blood Cells are oblong. He will do further tests.
Well, thank's for your input. It is really appreciated.
Mollyrae

[AnnHamill]

Have you had an MRI of your spine?  I feel like I have a built -in Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulator in the heart area of my chest.  It took quite a while, and lots of tests for them to finally discover it is coming from arthritic spurs on 3 vertabrae, which are  constricting the spinal cord.  It doesn't hurt where the spurs are, but in my right thumb,
left chest and shoulder down my arm to my left thumb.  I went to a Neurosurgeon in Mobile, AL this past Wednesday and he says my options are surgery or home traction and anti-inflammatory medication along with steroids.  I opted for the traction for the time being and asked if we could skip the steroids which he agreed to, but I am taking the anti-inflammatory medicine.  It's just so strange how something in your body in one location that doesn't hurt at all can be causing all kinds of crazy stuff in other parts of your body like nerves and muscles.  I guess we're all grabbing at straws.  Since they have finally found the source of my discomfort (which is nowhere near what my husband is enduring) I'm wondering if his problems might be similar to mine.  He broke his back years ago, and in your latter years, arthritis can set up in a bone injury and cause lots of trouble.  He had a recent MRI, but it was restricted to his shoulder.  I think I'm going to suggest they focus on his spine in the area of that injury.  I'll let you know how it all goes.  This information may not help you at all, but who knows?  Thanks for your prayers.
Ann  

[Mollyrae]

That would be wonderful. As the days go on I become more dependant on others help. It acutally scares me. I remember when I this started, It was December 18, 2007 when I woke up with nerve issues in my arms and legs. The nerve issues have somewhat subsided and the muscle and joint pain took over and each day it increases. If you find a herbal remedy or healthy foods that might help than I'm all ears.
Thakyou for the prayers and I will pray for your Husband as well
Mollyrae

[AnnHamill]

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.  My heart breaks for all of you who are in severe pain.  I don't handle pain well.  When I hurt the whole world knows it, but my husband can stand a LOT of pain before he complains. He doesn't have to complain though, I can see the anguish in his eyes and on his face.  I first posted 11 days ago.  Since then he has seen an Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine doctor and she agreed with him that most likely it is a reaction to the Caduet or Micartis HCT he was taking.  That was on the 5th, and he's no better.  She told him it would probably take at least 2 weeks to see any results.  I've decided to stop waiting on the Medical industry and look for Herbal Remedies, go back to "Healthy Eating" like we did before Hurricane Katrina, and do what it says in the Bible in James 5:14, call the Elders of the Church, have them annoint with oil and pray the prayer of Faith for healing.  (We're Southern Baptist, so it may take a little time to find the right Elders-don't want someone who doesn't believe that that Scripture applies to us today.)  I will keep you posted on the results.  If you do have Fibromyalgia, you might want to take a look at Herbs and nutrition.  I knew several women in Jackson, MS where we used to live, who were helped greatly.  I don't know if I can still track them down, but I'm pretty sure I can find out what helped them.  We'll see what helps my husband and if your symptoms are close, the same thing might help you and perhaps a lot of others. God bless you and I will pray for you as I pray for my husband.
Ann
      

[Mollyrae]

Hi Ann. I too suffer from extreme muscle pain. It is at it's worst late evening thru the night and early morning until I can work it off. I have had all the test that one could possibly think of with no diagnosis. The only thing that hasn't been ruled out is the Fibromyalgia. I suffer from other things and it is a contributer but not caused alone by this. I do not know enough about Fibro to give you any advise but please hang in there. I agree that in this day and age, nobody should have to suffer with relentless pain. In fact, pain can complicate things. Good luck in your quest for answers and take care
Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

I am so glad Gustav was not another Katrina. I watched CNN every moment until the extreme danger was over. You were in our prayers and continue to be. Many of my friends and relatives have been to the area hit by Katrina to assist in the clean up and little re building over the years. I would have been there but I am too disable to be of much help. I have sent my prayers instead.

And yes, goodness knows what was in all the sludge and muck that plagued the areas that Katrina wheeled it wrath. I hope it is diagnosis-able and that your husband is soon on the path to treatment and health. So many of us here at MH are CP suffers and are just happy there are medications that help us through the days. I hope your husband will have much better news. Please keep in touch. My heart goes out to you and your husband.
Take care, Tuck

[AnnHamill]

Thank you for your interest and comments.  They are very much appreciated.  Hopefully, I can make an appointment with the Arthritis Specialist tomorrow, now that Hurricane Gustav has passed over our area without leaving the mass destruction that Katrina left.  The doctor did not want to make any appointments until heknew what damage the  hurricane might do.  That's something else that bothers me.  We had 6" 9" of salt water, sludge and who knows what else in our house during Katrina.  In all the mucking out and tearing out walls and everything else associated with reconstruction, we have no idea what we may have been exposed to that is just now beginning to affect our bodies.  My husband says he has never in his life experiened this kind of pain.  Nothing we do helps.  Maybe soon we can find out what's wrong and how to deal with it. Thanks again.  Ann

[Tuckamore]

Welcome to MedHelp. We are glad you found us. I am so sorry your husband is in so much pain. I do not have Fibro but many here do. And I certainly hope your husband does not have it either.

There are other syndromes and autoimmune diseases this could be. I think you PCP is correct in sending him to a rheumatologist for a complaint work up. Normally they rule out all other things that could be causing his symptoms before they DX Fibro. You certainly want them to do that so if there is a treatment or cure they can begin the process as soon as possible.

In the mean time your husband needs to speak to his PCP to obtain better pain control. I would be honest and forth coming. In this day and age there is no reason someone has to suffer with unrelenting pain. I can understand that they may not want to mask the symptoms but even given that your husband need not be in this much pain.

It sounds as if you are very supportive and understanding, he needs that more than ever right now. Chronic Pain is hard to deal with and changes our lives in so many ways. He is lucky to have you by his side. I wish you the best in your search for a final diagnosis for him. Don't forget to take care of yourself too. I think it is also difficult for those who love us CP suffers. Wishing you the best, Tuck