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Potential causes of chronic pain, continued search for diagnosis
I am a 47 year old married (27 years) male with two boys (20+17). I have been very healthy and physically/mental active my entire life. I am an employed electrical engineer working in a R&D technology development department of a Semiconductor company in Colorado. I am also a former smokerwith average 1/2 pack day for 20 years, I quit several times for over a year. Currently I do not smoke and have not for over 3 years.
During the 2002 year some significant trauma happened in my life which included a job loss (first time layoff) Jan(2003)/ house fire (Aug 2002) (while we were on vacation), and mountain bicycle
accident which fractured 3 ribs (Sep 2002). I mention these incidents simply because I cannot be absolutely sure there is no connection with these trauma and my current condition.
In April of 2003 I was still unemployed but we had rebuilt our house and our family had moved back in. I had recovered from my rib injury and was cycling daily up to 20 miles. Our financial situation was/is good, no debt, with savings. I was enjoying many projects including acoustic guitar, and studying for interviews. I was using the time to do things I had wanted to do for a long time. I fixed up aroom as a music studio. Took tutorials on the computer. We planned vacation for June at Pedre Island
in Texas.
Towards the end of April I began to get very tired and fatigued in the afternoon. My lower back began to hurt and my genitals were sore and achey. As the month wore on it worsened. I would simply lay down on the outside deck and sleep in the afternoon. Sitting in front of the computer seemed to aggrevate the condition and many afternoons I would simply be in pain and exhausted. I tried to continue excercie yogse, but due to the area of pain I quit both bicycle and yoga. That seemed to aggrevate my back while sitting on a bike has obvious pressure points. I began hikng or walking instead. I joined the YMCA and began swimming.
The effects of excercise have changed dratistically from what I remember. I used to ride my bike to work all year round. I also used to run early in the mornings on the weekends. I can remember
being so mentally focused afterwards and relaxed. I also engaged in the other sports, like basketball, mountain climbing. Now when I engage in serious aerobic excercise it seems within hours
of stopping, I endure intense fatigue which force me to lay down and rest for a while before continuing normal activity. Pain radiates throughout my body, and I curl into a fetal position and wait it out.
I cannot fit the enitre message here due to the 3000 char limit. If you will accomodate me by reading the additional which I added to the response below, I would appreciate it. You sould mention the char limit before taking your clients money. ($15)
During the 2002 year some significant trauma happened in my life which included a job loss (first time layoff) Jan(2003)/ house fire (Aug 2002) (while we were on vacation), and mountain bicycle
accident which fractured 3 ribs (Sep 2002). I mention these incidents simply because I cannot be absolutely sure there is no connection with these trauma and my current condition.
In April of 2003 I was still unemployed but we had rebuilt our house and our family had moved back in. I had recovered from my rib injury and was cycling daily up to 20 miles. Our financial situation was/is good, no debt, with savings. I was enjoying many projects including acoustic guitar, and studying for interviews. I was using the time to do things I had wanted to do for a long time. I fixed up aroom as a music studio. Took tutorials on the computer. We planned vacation for June at Pedre Island
in Texas.
Towards the end of April I began to get very tired and fatigued in the afternoon. My lower back began to hurt and my genitals were sore and achey. As the month wore on it worsened. I would simply lay down on the outside deck and sleep in the afternoon. Sitting in front of the computer seemed to aggrevate the condition and many afternoons I would simply be in pain and exhausted. I tried to continue excercie yogse, but due to the area of pain I quit both bicycle and yoga. That seemed to aggrevate my back while sitting on a bike has obvious pressure points. I began hikng or walking instead. I joined the YMCA and began swimming.
The effects of excercise have changed dratistically from what I remember. I used to ride my bike to work all year round. I also used to run early in the mornings on the weekends. I can remember
being so mentally focused afterwards and relaxed. I also engaged in the other sports, like basketball, mountain climbing. Now when I engage in serious aerobic excercise it seems within hours
of stopping, I endure intense fatigue which force me to lay down and rest for a while before continuing normal activity. Pain radiates throughout my body, and I curl into a fetal position and wait it out.
I cannot fit the enitre message here due to the 3000 char limit. If you will accomodate me by reading the additional which I added to the response below, I would appreciate it. You sould mention the char limit before taking your clients money. ($15)
Consider an infected prostrate.
Some years ago I had severe lower back ache and the medics originally diagnosed sciatica - They said -
it would eventually go out through my feet!
Repeatedly the doctors called out due to worsening symptoms, over a period stretching into months just increased the pain killer drug strength. I became a zombie.
To no avail though, until one weekend 1o weeks after the start of the symptoms, an emergency medic, with no file or notes on my case - Went back to basics. Declared he thought it was not sciatica. He gave me two large pills and said my general practioner would see me the following day. I'd take the two pills by the time the doctor arrived - Indeed for the first time for months I could sit up, lie down, even think without pain. A full course of special antibotics then cleared up the problem. Ironically at this stage the doctor said, 'We'll get you fit again. Then get some tests done!' These proved OK. No damage done.
The prostrate has connections obviously to the sex organs, the poison from the infection can (did) effect the brain.
I'm not a medic just relate here my experience. Apparently the antibotics used here were of a special type to target the prostrate.
Some years ago I had severe lower back ache and the medics originally diagnosed sciatica - They said -
it would eventually go out through my feet!
Repeatedly the doctors called out due to worsening symptoms, over a period stretching into months just increased the pain killer drug strength. I became a zombie.
To no avail though, until one weekend 1o weeks after the start of the symptoms, an emergency medic, with no file or notes on my case - Went back to basics. Declared he thought it was not sciatica. He gave me two large pills and said my general practioner would see me the following day. I'd take the two pills by the time the doctor arrived - Indeed for the first time for months I could sit up, lie down, even think without pain. A full course of special antibotics then cleared up the problem. Ironically at this stage the doctor said, 'We'll get you fit again. Then get some tests done!' These proved OK. No damage done.
The prostrate has connections obviously to the sex organs, the poison from the infection can (did) effect the brain.
I'm not a medic just relate here my experience. Apparently the antibotics used here were of a special type to target the prostrate.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There may be several possibilities for your symptoms. You have had a pretty comprehensive evaluation with multiple neurologists as well as a variety of imaging tests.
I'm sure that the basic tests such as blood count, liver function, and thyroid panel were all tested for. If not, this should be considered.
You may also want to proceed via the rheumatology route. Certainly things like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia can be possible. I would test things like a sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (looking for signs of inflammation) as well as an ANA level and rheumatoid factor.
I would discuss these options with your personal physician as well as obtain a referral with a rheumatologist.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
I'm sure that the basic tests such as blood count, liver function, and thyroid panel were all tested for. If not, this should be considered.
You may also want to proceed via the rheumatology route. Certainly things like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia can be possible. I would test things like a sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein (looking for signs of inflammation) as well as an ANA level and rheumatoid factor.
I would discuss these options with your personal physician as well as obtain a referral with a rheumatologist.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
I don't have an answer but I wanted you to know you are not alone. I am 28 have been dealing with unexplainable pain as long as I can remember. You sound like you have been on many of the same drugs that I have taken. I will be watching to see if anyone can find an answer for you. I have had mri/catscan you name it. My blood has been tested etc. No doctor has been able to REALLY help me. Good luck.
(continued)
Since the begining, the symtpoms have changed and moved. I have now what I would call widespread body pain, sometimes in my feet, and my hands. I have times when my ribs hurt, like they are on fire. I also have upper back pains around my shoulders, and headaches and dizziness occasionally. Sometime my skin is sensitive like it is sunburnt. None of these pains are acute or intense. Sometimes I feel like I have the flu( body aches and fatigue) but I never get upset stomach. The result of all these
aches, pains and malaise tend to wear on me as the day goes on. I have a hard time making it through the afternoon at work but sometimes I break through the pain and fatigue and I am able work later. I used to journal these so I could quantify whether they were getting worse. I don't do that as much anymore . Sometimes it's just not easy to quantify either. Since the onset, I have had troubles with mental tasks and projects. I always try to complete the most technical work in the morning. In the
afternoon I try to stick to more routine tasks. I believe that the pain distracts me, and then of course fatigue sets in and makes it difficult to think quickly, creatively. I am not able to have normal sexual intercourse with wife since the beginning of the symptoms. I am able to achieve an erection but I am not able to keep it. I have tried several of the impotence drugs, but none have helped to any degree.
I sleep well with the aid of prescribed drugs (I use Clonazepam 1-3mg) in the evening. During the day I take Hydrocone/apap 10mg/325 once or twice which is the only drug which actually helps me with the pain. I almost always am able to wait till after noon to take any of these. I get sleepy when I take
them. My Family doctor and Neurologist ( I have seen 3) have cycled me through several antidepressents and analgesics including, Zooloft,Effexor Xr, and most recently Welbutrin Xl. I have had several other pain mitigating drugs like tizandine, Neurontin.
Some of the tests:
Date/ Test / Results
Aug 9,2002/ Chest X-rays taken / normal
Sep-2002/ Mild Depression
Since the begining, the symtpoms have changed and moved. I have now what I would call widespread body pain, sometimes in my feet, and my hands. I have times when my ribs hurt, like they are on fire. I also have upper back pains around my shoulders, and headaches and dizziness occasionally. Sometime my skin is sensitive like it is sunburnt. None of these pains are acute or intense. Sometimes I feel like I have the flu( body aches and fatigue) but I never get upset stomach. The result of all these
aches, pains and malaise tend to wear on me as the day goes on. I have a hard time making it through the afternoon at work but sometimes I break through the pain and fatigue and I am able work later. I used to journal these so I could quantify whether they were getting worse. I don't do that as much anymore . Sometimes it's just not easy to quantify either. Since the onset, I have had troubles with mental tasks and projects. I always try to complete the most technical work in the morning. In the
afternoon I try to stick to more routine tasks. I believe that the pain distracts me, and then of course fatigue sets in and makes it difficult to think quickly, creatively. I am not able to have normal sexual intercourse with wife since the beginning of the symptoms. I am able to achieve an erection but I am not able to keep it. I have tried several of the impotence drugs, but none have helped to any degree.
I sleep well with the aid of prescribed drugs (I use Clonazepam 1-3mg) in the evening. During the day I take Hydrocone/apap 10mg/325 once or twice which is the only drug which actually helps me with the pain. I almost always am able to wait till after noon to take any of these. I get sleepy when I take
them. My Family doctor and Neurologist ( I have seen 3) have cycled me through several antidepressents and analgesics including, Zooloft,Effexor Xr, and most recently Welbutrin Xl. I have had several other pain mitigating drugs like tizandine, Neurontin.
Some of the tests:
Date/ Test / Results
Aug 9,2002/ Chest X-rays taken / normal
Sep-2002/ Mild Depression
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