Wow, I feel so bad for you! So, no explanation at all? Imagine does not reveal the problem? Have you been sent to a physical therapist?
Blue eyes,
Have you had your potassium, zinc, and magnesium levels checked?
Muscle spasms can be caused by many things, including not enough minerals within your body.
Eating a banana a day, and other fruits and veggies that contain those minerals can greatly reduce muscle spasms.
I see you are trying the trigger point injections and massage. I would continue those, warm compresses, stretching and getting your mineral levels/electrolytes checked.
As far as diagnostic imaging is concerned, an MRI would be the best way to assess your symptoms and find the cause of your pain. Often when you have a normal XR but are still continuing to have pain, or muscle spasms, your doctor or provider will order an MRI. Unfortunately CT and XR is mostly limited to bony structures. If you are having issues with ligaments, tendons, nerves, or soft tissue, you would be able to see that on MRI and not the other modalities. I would consult with your medical provider and inquire if this might be the next logical step to better evaluate the etiology of your pain.
A CT with constant could show more than the xray.
Even an ultrasound may reveal something. Have you ever had an EMG done to see if there is nerve involvemen at the root of this ?
"The doctors and therapists all say they have never felt a muscle this hard. " But did the physio person say to come back for other treatment? Have you seen anyone who does massage or ART for an opinion?
Has anyone suggested that you might have a frozen shoulder? This is also known as encapsulation... I've had a frozen shoulder on the right since July 2017. Mine was helped slightly by physical therapy, but I've read that it can take a couple of yrs or more for a frozen shoulder to go through the 3 phases (freezing, frozen, and thawing) and become normal again. Mine is still very tender and I'm now getting it in the left shoulder.
Hello, I don't actually have an answer to contribute but I felt compelled to tell you how relieved I was to stumble upon your post. I know that doesn't seem helpful but I have been going crazy trying to find anything that would tell me I'm not alone with this. I, myself have been suffering from the same symptoms for going on four years now with no known cause or diagnosis. You didn't mention it but mine presses on nerves which have caused a constant headache with migraines when the muscle spasms and becomes even more rigid than seems possible. I have gone through all the same treatments you mentioned which either resulted in no change or made the pain worsen. Everything has progressive worsened with time which caused me to have to leave my job 3 months ago. My doctor has officially stated that she has no other ideas hence me scouring the web for anything potentially helpful because I refuse to take no for an answer. After reading the responses to your post I think I too will see about getting some additional imaging done. Hang in there, there has to be an answer out there somewhere.
Hello~I would see a good, reliable Naturopath, they can give you a Magnesium IV, this is almost guaranteed to relieve those muscle spasms and knots. I don't know if conventional MD's can do these, but I would sure ask if you don't feel comfortable seeing a naturopath. I use to have horrendous muscle knots in my back and my naturopath was going to do Magnesium IV's on me, but the acupuncture treatments along with my chiro started to work so I did not need it.
I hope you feel better soon.
To: Blueeyes and Paters...I have the same thing, along with degenerative disc disease and herniated discs. My Muscle problem is mainly on the Upper Left Side, front and back. The spasms pull the tiny muscles between the ribs together making it hard to breath sometimes, and my left shoulder is about 2 inches higher that the right. It is also causing the left shoulder to pull forward. These spasms started spreading pretty quickly. I need deep, hard pressure into certain areas of the muscles. I get horrid headaches ALOT in the back of the head and into the back of the neck. Tried trigger point injections, Occipital nerve blocks, muscle relaxers, and Nothing works anymore. So the Neurologist said I have Muscle Spasms, and also thought I might have Dystonia...BUT he also said I have MYOFASCIAL PAIN SYNDROME. Fascia is the thin thin layer of tissue that covers most all organs, including muscles. I have tried to find a Muscle Doctor, but there are none? Anyway, Physical Therapy made is so much worse!!! I was curled in a ball for days. Sorry for rambling. So NOW, I have finally found a MYOFASCIAL RELEASE THERAPIST!!! Insurance finally will cover it! My Appt. is in a few days. I pray to God this will Work. It is exsauting and totally debilitating. I can let you know how this Therapy works after I go a few times! I sure hope you find help. It is miserable. Take Care. P.S. Be careful of the Steriod Injections...they break down cartilage and the Discs in the spine!
Hi, blueeyes. Hasn't any doc mentioned "Stiff Person Syndrome" ?
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1172135-overview
"Stiff person syndrome is rather unique among neurologic diagnoses because of its lack of significant similarity to any other neurologic diseases. Although rare, once observed it is quite unforgettable." It inhibits the biochemical called GABA.
"Clinically, stiff person syndrome is characterized by muscle rigidity that waxes and wanes with concurrent spasms."
The 1st treatment is a benzodiazapine tranquilizer (like Xanax)... which is also a muscle relaxer that works via--> GABA !
Since as stated there is nothing else similar, this seems to be your cause. It apparently involves autoimmunity, and has a genetic predisposition.
Here's more on it:
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/5023/stiff-person-syndrome
I hope you see this. It is very rare (1 in 100s of thousands) and your docs might not have ever heard of it.
Is your arm numb on the affected side? Have you had an MRI of your neck?
I have similar problem, very tight muscles, knotting up whole body, shoulder scrunching, knots on scalp and neck, muscles feeling like bruised to the touch.... for most my life of 60 years. Headaches that can last days on end. I have pressure points, like eyebrow ridge, neck and collarbone, that if pressed hard can nearly make me pass out. Same as you, I've tried everything, and I also don't like taking drugs. Dr., chiro, therapy, specialists. They tried electrical stimulation many times....it really made it worse, doctors have had me try one drug after another
4 things have helped to some degree: Xanax. Just 1 pill when things get really bad. It doesn't alleviate problem, but can help relax enough to get some benefit from hydrotherapy. Which for me. can mean 4-5 hrs in a jacuzzi. Which also isn't a cure but can lessen pain. Acupuncture has helped and given relief
but unfortunately, not a permanent fix and nearest is 50 miles away. Only other thing that has helped, is my pain mantra. It sounds silly, but I have gotten to the point it can help me past bad points with the pain.
My mantra....... "I am one with the pain". (pause) "Let the pain flow through my body". (pause), "WELCOME the Pain". I clear my thoughts. I do concentrate on the words I am saying. I believe the words and imagine the pain flowing through and away. After so many years, the relaxed mental state is nearly automatic
If you noticed by now, all of my suggestions are for helping to deal with the pain, as I have found no cure. I am making 2019 my last ditch attempt to find real help because I am exhausted and my quality of life no longer has much quality. I am going to try CHB next month. Fingers crossed.
I understand what you are going through. how disruptive, how frustrating,, how draining. I wish you the best of luck. It sounds like you have a good attitude and that goes a long way. Please keep me in mind if you find something that helps you as I will for you.