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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Burning Pain
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Burning Pain
by shellig, Jun 15, 2004 12:00AM
Background: 43 yr old male, moderate general health, gall bladder removed in 1999. Diagnosed with fibromyalgia (fm) in 2000 by Univ of NC. Primary care physician prescribed mutiple, concurrent doses (22 times in just over 2 years) of fluroquinones antibiotics (Cipro,Vancomycin)to "combat infection" that he feels causes fm flare ups. Each time reaction was worse (burning, redness, muscle pain, hormonal inbalances (low) all of which dr says was normal. Each course of antibiotics was followed by loading dose of prednisone and probiotics. Now the burning has stayed over a year - feels like a BAD sunburn. Skin is sometimes bright red, with tingling, muscle twitches, sensitivity to touch, no sweating AT ALL even when significantly overheated. Bloodwork is normal. Skin biopsy is normal. Large nerve fiber tests are normal. The burning is sometimes unbearable, resulting in loss of job, and inability to do normal life activities. Opiates provide little to no relief and are not a desirable option. IV Lidocaine provided no relief and during treatment, made symptoms worse. Currently on 600 mg neurontin tid, 10 mg ambien for sleep, klonapin for anxiety. Anti-depressants make symptoms worse and add other unpleasant side affects. Desperate, almost out of options and need any suggestions you can come up with
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Jun 16, 2004 12:00AM
The most important thing at this point is to obtain adequate pain control. For this I would recommend being evaluated at a comprehensive pain management center. Some of the symptoms you have described could be consistent with a small fiber or autonomic neuropathy. This could be missed by routine nerve tests. Ask if you can seen a neurologist who specializes in autonomic dysfunction. Good luck.
Only thing I was told was Fibromyalgia symptoms or anxiety. Now, I have heard stories of anti-depressents causing more anxiety symptoms... if taking your anti-depressent caused burning - I'd be curious to see if it's anxiety causing the burning. ???????
I wish I had an answer. I have all kinds of strange symptoms!!!
Sherry
I am 45 and have MS, have been diagnosed for a year,after waking up on March 29, 2003, with this bizarre burning pain in my left pinky finger that spread to my whole body by evening, but my Neuro tells me the burning is not MS, but something else, but doesn't know what.
He put me on 300mg Neurontin tid, which ended up at 600mg Neurontin qid(4x's) in 2 months time, and in January it got so bad in my left hand and pinky finger that I was sent to an orthopedic surgeon, who said my Ulnar nerve was damaged, so they did surgery and moved that, which helped me make a fist again. Burning is still there.
Now, I have had severe migraine type pain in my head since the end of March, and the dx on that has come back as Occipital Neuralgia, so I will be going to a specialist to have those nerves electricaly buned to deaden them to finally stop the pain. You know what? Through all this hell, pardon the expression, but if any of you are in pain like I am, I am sure you can understand where that came from, I have found out that I have such beautiful, supportive friends.
In February, afriend took me to Homassassa Springs River, in Florida, out on another friends boat, they put a life jacket on me, we drove up the river to the warm springs area, and the two guys lowered me into the water, and a 10 foot Manatee came and played with me for over 2 hours. When I have "bad" days, and most of them lately have been, I try to go there in my head.
I hope you have a magic memory too, and I hope that helps you, I just wanted to share that with you and everyone else. Take care. Bright Feather
I later found out that tea prevents bad bacteria from adhering to the lining of the colon, and is therefore very good at treating lower GI infections (which I believe I had due to um...let's just say "other" GI symptoms I was having at the time).
Your reaction could also be to the quinolone itself. I'm sure this has occured to you, but you might want to check out what this doctor has to say about these drugs. He seems credible.
http://www.medicationsense.com/articles/july_sept_03/reactions_cipro_other.html
Best of luck,
MW
By Salynn Boyles
WebMD Medical News
Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario, MD
Dec. 10, 2003 -- There is new evidence that small amounts of unprotected sun exposure could be good for you. Earlier studies have linked vitamin D deficiency with an increased risk for several cancers. Now comes word that it may also be a major cause of unexplained muscle and bone pain.
In a study involving 150 children and adults with unexplained muscle and bone pain, almost all were found to be vitamin D deficient; many were severely deficient with extremely low levels of vitamin D in their bodies.
Humans tend to get most of their vitamin D from exposure to sunlight, so those who avoid the sun completely or who always wear sunscreen to protect themselves against skin cancers are at risk for vitamin D deficiencies, says Michael Holick, MD. Holick runs the Vitamin D Research Lab at Boston University Medical Center.
"I think the current message that all unprotected sun exposure is bad for you is too extreme," he tells WebMD. "The original message was that people should limit their sun exposure, not that they should avoid the sun entirely. I do believe that some unprotected exposure to the sun is important for health."