Are your trigger points growing?

I know that FM isn't "supposed" to be a progressive disease (said by someone who doesn't have it I believe... and yes, I said the "D" word).  And I know I've seen where people develope more trigger points and/or lose some old pain sites.  However, has anyone else been experiencing an expansion of your trigger points?  For example, originally on my left outer thigh I had trigger point just below hip level, then another formed just above knee (still outter leg), now I also have one on inside of thigh.  

The kicker is this... the spots were about the size of a fist at first but now it has spread to encompass almost the entire ouside of my upper leg.  Anyone else?  

I have also had what I presume is a charley horse in my left calf muscle for past four months.  I have wondered if this is b/c of the pain in upper leg.

[Phtartist]

Hi Buffy, that sounds too large to be a trigger point. They are usually no larger than our thumb.
Sorry you are dealing with that!

[Buffy1970]

It's ok.  How are you?  Any news from doctors?

[bluegranite]

The exact cause of trigger p0oints is variable.  Essentially excess scar tissue developes near the neuromotor endplate,  Seing ad how there are many ways this can happen it will likely alwsay be called a syndrome.  anything that can disturbe the balance of body motion can create the stress needed to create a trigfger p0int.  this can mean poor body mexchics, obesieity, chemical exposure, food introlerance, psychological induced body posture. etc...  I know nothing about study of auto-imune related cause nor do I know of any strudy eliminating the possiblility.

Myofacial pain syndrome should never be confused with fibromialgia (fibromyalgia).  They are two different process.  Autonomic dysfunction can also lead to a similar muscular contracture,  This will behave a bit different than MP.  MP will always have a primary trigger point near the center of mass of the muscle.  Except for very small muscles, it will only involve a strand of about 30 or 40 cell wide.  Contractures may expand from there.  Also new trrigger points can expand from there due to one muscle not properly supporting another..  Here is one low cost treatment.  Soda or beer in aluminum can (refrigerated).  Sock stuffed with rice.  Flax seed lasts longer but is harder to get.  Chill the canned drink.  Microwave the sock to warm.  Roll the trigger point with the chilled can.  Begin stretch therapy for a few minutes.  Follow up with rest and the hot compress.  If the compress is to hot add a l ayer ofd fabric in between.  It will take time to permanently calm the  trigger point.  Meanwhile, be paying attention to what stressed it out in the first  place.  Left untreaded these can lead to bone growth abnormallities and osteoarthritus,  no need to remined you it hurts.

To answer your primary question, pain reflex can and does lead to other muscles being involved in the pain of one muscle.  This is one of the ways MP spreads.  Ususally if you treat the origionating cause secondary trigger points will dissipate on their own.

[Buffy1970]

Thanks Blue!  Something I can afford!!  I'll start this today and see how it goes.  Where do you get your info?  I don't have much luck getting answers via the web.

Much thanks and hope you are well.

[bluegranite]

The root source of info on M/P comes from "the trigger point manual" V1 andV2 by Drs Travell and Simon.  Make sure it's the 2nd edition but you won't like the price.  It's very technical and very thorough.  there are a lot of books on trigger point therapy.  they all pretty much originate their info from the trigger point manual.  they also have a much easiery price tag.  another good source on both trigger points and fibro is Dr. Devan Starlyn (probably spelled the last name slightly wrong)  She is a physician researcher who lives with both condititions.  she also has a web site at devstar.com    it's the only web site I'd spend any time with on fibro  everyone else just seems confused.  My Ms. has  a similar chronic TP on her left outer thigh from and auto injury back in 88.  I get every day to practice everything i've learned.  Also if you can  find a cheap copy of Greys Anatomy that can help you understand the muscularskeletal system better.  Maybe make it a little easier to understand how you're hurting yourself.  Me, I've got autonomic system damage from sulfur sensitivity.

Just to let you know, when I first started learning to work my trigger points it took a few months to start getting a good response.  The pattern you  described sounds like the upper thigh is the primary tp, the just a bove the knee a satalite,  and the inner thigh is a secondary because the other two made you walk differently.  Put most of your focus on the primary tp  usually the rest will clear up on their own, but i'm guessing your body is trying to be a bit wierd.  

Good luck

[Buffy1970]

Ah, yes.  My body likes to keep me guessing and my doctors worried when the meltdown will begin.  I'm stronger than they know.  

I won't sit by if there is anything I can do to help myself so I'll keep working on the tp even if it takes awhile.  I won't be able to research using medical books other than online abstracts, etc. b/c of cognitive problems.  I am currently having trouble keeping characters in books straight between chapters.  That is what scares me more than anything physical problem ever could.

I'll use this info to help search.  Maybe it will help.  Reading any detailed texts would be a joke right now, though.  Are you looking at improvement in your situation, or do I remember you saying something about finding the cause late in the game?

Anyway, Rambling... I'll work on this and try not to make anything worse.  Thanks and take care of yourself.