Just need a clear opinion... (as mine may be clouded)

[jlconley1988]

Hello,

My name is Jessica. I am a 22 year old mother of two, I also have an amazing husband (wed in Oct. 2010).

I am new to this forum, but I have read a lot of amazing posts. I have so much respect for ppl with fibromyalgia/cfs. I have seen the terrible repercussions of this disease, as my sister-in-law suffers from this, and has for quite a few years.

Having said that, I am NOT a hypocondriac... in fact, I have never complained about any kind of pain, until now.
As of late May of last year, I have suffered with chronic, widespread pain (mainly in the back, legs, arms, feet and hands). I have also been EXTREMELY fatigued... constantly. To elaborate... I get tired walking from my living room to the kitchen (approx 2 feet), also while washing my hair in the shower (standing time: 10 mins).
I have always been healthy, never been sick for more than a week, and have always been active. As a result of these constant symptoms, I was sent to a neurologist via the area's clinic. When I told him everything I was experiencing he came up with a TON of possibilities, some very scary, others no biggie. After all of the necessary tests were done, I was very surprised (yet relieved) when everything came back normal. After we got these results, he deduced that I had scoliosis and nerve damage in my right and left legs, as well as my right arm. He told me that physical therapy should help both problems and everything should go back to normal.
After all that... I started experiencing more severe versions of the previous symptoms, as well as others (headaches, nausea, insomnia, trouble with concentration, etc).

As of now, I feel like I am 80. I despise the fact that I feel so tired after 10+ hours of sleep (truthfully, I feel much more rested during the when I can't sleep at all)! I hate the fact that a simple chore like sweeping takes an hour. The thing I hate the most... I cannot gain enough energy to play with my wonderful children. I can't even take them to the park without leaving shortly after because of MY issues. I stay in my house 90 percent of the time... the other ten is twice a month grocery shopping which takes me days to recover from! I just hate that I have such a wonderful family, but yet I miss out on so much. *sobbing*

Sorry this is so long, I haven't really been able to vent in a while. Despite everything, I still haven't been given a diagnosis on anything (as my neurologist has canceled out the previous diagnosis *sigh*). I am currently going to a new dr and I believe her specialty is rheumatology. I hope my appt goes well, but who knows.

Okay, so if I haven't come off as crazy, I would appreciate some positive feedback. I would just like to know that other ppl have experienced some/all of these symptoms and have found an answer.
Is this fibromyalgia or am I just plain broken?
Will I ever be happy again?
What could cause all of this to occur over just 1 year?

Thanks for your answers/comments, I just hope that this isn't too common. It STINKS!

My prayers will be with all of you.
                   XOXO,
                         -Jess

[jlconley1988]

I was afraid of that, but never the less I am grateful. It feels nice to hear SOMETHING after a year of "could be" and "possibly".
I was sitting on the floor during the massage.
Also, I have an idea of what lactic acid is, but I don't understand why it builds up in the muscles.

I really appreciate your help, if it weren't for this website and you, I don't know that I would ever have had an idea.
I will for sure keep you posted. Appt on Tuesday with the new doc... I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks again, I will be keeping you in my prayers.
                           XOXO,
                                -Jess

[Weffette]

Hi Jess,
Sounds like you have Rheumatoid AND fibromyalgia. Many times they come hand in hand, but RA is an auto immune and the Fibro is a nerve issue (headaches and muscle pains).
I have never heard of "Lactic acid" accumulation.
Why you felt nauseous after your massage...hmmmm...I don't have an answer to that. The ONLY thing I can think of is...during the massage, you may have been "guarding" the tender area and holding ones breath while doing so, will cause you to be light headed afterwards.
Drink LOTS of WATER...all day long. Do not donate plasma either.
What type of surface were you lying on during your massage? Try lying across the bed, a flat pillow under your tummy or hips (this is so your lower back doesn't "sink") and your head slightly off the edge of the bed (kinda like you are looking under the bed, but not that far, you'll fall off once the massage is underway!! LOL  This will release any pressure on your neck and allow blood flow.  BREATH...slow and steady...in through the nose and out through the mouth...try not to resist the massage of the sore spots...I know...easier said than done.  Large palm and hand heel style...NO FINGER TIPS! Fibro is sensitive to finger massage...you need a broader base massage...reaching the nerves surrounding the muscles is the main objective with fibro.
Hope this helps a little. Keep me posted Jess!  

[jlconley1988]

Thank you so much for the tips... I am so very grateful.
I have already looked into the massages from my hubby, and just the other day he found a very tender area right above the left shoulder blade. This wasn't the normal knot (I have felt the hard knots up and down my spine on both sides), it was a soft spot... but it was huge and very deep in the muscle. I asked my sister-in-law to rub it (because she has had a lot of massages) and she said it was a build up of lactic acid. After she worked some of it out, I stood up and felt so sick... like I had the flu. It was very odd... any suggestions or comments?
Do you think she was right about the lactic acid?

To answer you question about the pain:
I believe its mainly muscle/nerve pain with my back, hips, shoulders, legs and arms. I think my wrists, fingers, ankles and knees could be joint pain. I never really experienced joint problems before, so I honestly don't know.
Also, I have been having severe headaches lately... could that be related to the sleep deprivation?

Thanks for the help!
I will be keeping you in my prayers.
                              XOXO,
                                     -Jess

[davida1977]

Hi am sad to here bout your problem but to reasure you your not on your own,
Hi am hoping someone can help, I am 34 I had my daughter in 09 she was a very big baby and I carried extra water I was extremely big, I got to bout 4 months pregnant and the tops of my legs where very painful, which I told the midwife but she said it was coz I was carrying a large baby, I had a very long and painful labour after the labour I couldn't walk I was on crutches for at least 6 week the physic said I had spd, and gave me exercises to do. The pain got easier but over the week I began to feel ill and my joints began to ache I had flu like symptoms the doctor referred me to rheumatology where they diagnosed me as being hyper mobile. I had another baby in 09 my pregnancy was easier as they was aware of the problem I had acupuncture which I highly recommend, but I had a lot of problem with my bowels as I have IBS I also suffered heart palpitation. Since then I have had episode where I feel under the weather, can sleep solid all night and wake up shattered my joints (shoulders, hips ankles,wrist, back) ache and hurt as if they are swollen but to look at them they are normal. I have been to doc he took blood test and my fbc is 15 he has give me gabapentin for a week trial so far they have took the pain away but not the numbness which comes if I sit in same spot, could any one help? Are these thing related ? Like ME or CFS, this is the comment I have posted on the forum was I copied and pasted as to save energy, but I do totally understand where you are coming from I just want to feel well

Hope to here from you soon
Davida :)

[Weffette]

Hello,
you sound like me and I'm over 50! I have Fibro, rheumatoid, cfs, depression...to name a few.
I am so glad you are going to see a rheumy. If they perform a test that identifies you as being RA negative, DO NOT be discouraged, many RA sufferers have false negatives.
Sounds like you need a whirlpool and massage therapy and a diet change. Pain will cause you extreme fatigue and so will RA. Is your pain in your muscles or joints? One is Fibro, the joints is RA, but a rhematologist works with both. An anti inflammatory will help you alot. Slow morning stretches will help you loosen up a little. A night or day away from household chores will do you wonders also!
Depending on your health insurance, physical therapy and hot whirlpools would be sooo good for you. Maybe your hubby can grease up his hands and give you a nice gentle full body massage. having a little joy and laughter in your life can help uplift your soul too.
There is help out there for you. But diet...MSG and processed foods and, sometimes, wheat products will play havoc on your system too.
I sure do hope you get relief darlin'. I know exactly how you are feeling. I've been dealing with this crap since 1993. I can't take alot of meds because of other health issues...so I just grin and bear it. Sleeping!!! I started reading myself to sleep. If that doesn't work,,,Tylenol PM extra strength works wonders!
Good luck getting back to feeling better!!!