Fibro or Something else

[bobbiblue]

Hello,

This is my first visit.  

I'm a 40yr. old female diagnosed with Fibro Nov 2005...but I'm not sure if it's the correct diagnosis.  Prior to my being dianosed with Fibro, I would experience extreme fatigue, leg/arm spams (while laying down), headaches lasting for days.  No relief from tylenol/ibuprophen.  The past 18 months has been very difficult for me.  I have pain all over every day - neurontin, skelaxin, relaen, or over the counter meds does not help.  

between October 2006 and March 2007 I have had physical theray twice for tendinits and to increase range of motion of the both of my arms.  It has helped a little but I'm still have difficulties.  

I've had bloodwork done 5 times in the past 6 months (all normal).
It seems like body was having a crisis period for the past four weeks.  I could not come my hair because my scalp was so sensative. Having spasm in the hands and legs. The burning and tingling sensations I had prior to the diagnosis of Fibro has
intensified, and sometimes my skin feels numb.  Two to three time a week I feel pain in my upper back that stops me in my
tracks.  Sometimes it's pain in my lower back going down both
legs to my ankels.  This may last any where from 2-4 days. Lying in bed to go to sleep, I feel my body shaking like tremors.

I had a c-spine mri done last week.  Per the results, my spine is straight due to spasms.  Not sure if it's the due to the  spasms I have experenced in the past. My medical Dr. has suggested physical therapy.  I'm not sure if this will help.  I'm scheduled for a neuro visit in 4 weeks.

Could I have other conditions?  What test should I ask my doctor to order?

[PlateletGal]

It does sound like fibro, but it could also possibly be lyme disease. Do you ever recall getting a rash that looked like a bullseye ?  I would consider speaking to your physician about this possibility, but I can tell you that it can also be fibro.

If you get tested for lyme disease, I would recommend you reading this first. Tests can often be negative when they are actually positive:


http://www.medhelp.org/forums/symptoms/messages/4162.html

[patsy10]

I think seeing a neuro is a good idea to rule other things out.  I have  most of what you describe.  My sympoms are very neurologic....numbness, tingling etc...I have pain all over, all day, every day.  I've seen 5 neuro's in my quest for an answer.  I got the fibro diagnosis by ruling everything else out.  I have big issues with this diagnosis as fibroCFS is a group of symptoms with no known cause.  It's not a disease.  I firmly believe there is an answer and will keep looking.

[jenn38018]

I think you will find that many doctors are now considering fibromyalgia a disease, and CFS is making strides as well.  You need to find a rheumatologist who knows a lot about fibromyalgia and is willing to take it and your symptoms very seriously.  It used to be that anyone with fibromyalgia was thought to just be neurotic or stressed out, and that fibro was just a trash diagnosis when all else fails.  There is a ton of research being done on the disease now, and they are finding that it can effect so many systems in your body.  It and CFS can be more debilitating than many very serious diseases out there like MS, lyme's disease, lupus, etc.  I was lucky enough to finally find a rheumatologist who specifically does clinical research on and has a special interest in fibromyalgia.  He is really intelligent, and he has some new discoveries on the disease to share with me every time I see him.  He also really listens to me and my symptoms and does not treat me like I am crazy.  You have to be your own advocate, and fight for an answer.  I can't tell you how many times I have felt like just ignoring it all and telling myself I am crazy, but then I get some new crazy symptom that effects my quality of life and I go running to the doctor.  My doctor just told me that other day that it is completely normal for someone with fibro to have a myriad of tests in there medical records and everything to show up completely normal.  He said not to feel bad about that, and it doesn't mean you aren't sick or your symptoms aren't real.  He also said it is better to be safe than sorry.  You don't want to miss something because you think its just the fibro rearing its head again.  It is very possible to have more than one disease.  I have been misdiagnosed several times before finally getting the dx of fibro.  I have also been having some really weird symptoms lately that make me think I might have something else going on.  You know your body, and you know when something isn't right.