Really don't know what to do from here...

Hi,

Okay I was given a range of blood tests a few days ago from ANA, CRP, ESR, Rheumatoid Factor, CBC, and Thyroid. All came out negative but the ANA at 800 positive. The doctors said because my White cell count is fine, and my CRP, and ESR are normal that pretty much knocks off all inflammatory diseases. So I am confused, and at a dead end.
I had the flu shot 3 months ago and a few short days later, I started feeling pain in my lymph nodes(no swelling) under my arm pit, beside my armpit where my breasts end, and pain on my outer arm(feels like someone is punching me). When it hurts it hurts. It went on and off for three months and then has come back full force. I have all that plus it feels like the lymph nodes in my breast tighten up and I can feel hard bumps and then they go away. I also get this pain going down my side from my armpit. They say that I am feeling pain in my lymph nodes but all tests show negative that would have to do with that. I am thinking that the flu shot sent my immune system into overdrive.
My Mom's medical history she was given a shot called modicade when she was my age for a nervous breakdown she could walk or talk nor did she have any motor function for 3 months. When she finally gained her motor skills back they diagnosed her with fibromyalgia. Is it possible the flu shot did the same thing to me. I have been having pain in my back shoulder blades to, and pain in my kidneys, but that more comes and goes. Nothing signfigant.
Do you think it is an allergic reaction to the flu shot or Fibromyalgia?
The doctors here in Calgary have passed me off saying that it is nothing and nothing to do with the shot and asked me to carry on like there is nothing wrong with me. I just don't get it. I am a single Mom to 2 boys and I have no means of support ex's or otherwise so I don't have the luxury to be down for any length of time at all. Any advice would be truly appreciated.

[dustybrown]

Have you considered seeing an endocrinologist to rule out any diseases affecting your endocrine system? Your ANA would come up positive for some of those diseases too from what I understand. You may test negative for a baseline thyroid test like the TSH, but you could test positive for Hashimoto's disease if you carry the antibodies (which would cause and ANA test to come back positive). I would try there. Maybe some other people would have some ideas too? Keep us posted.
-Dusty

[angelgirl333]

Thanks for the advice but I don't have any of the symptoms of Hashimoto's disease, and have been previously tested for endocrine. I think that it is based on the flu shot as that is when it started,  was 3 days after flu shot. I was also told that my positive  ANA could be totally unrelated as I guess 40% of the population will come up with false positives, or it could be a result of the flu shot(a reaction). I thought that from the very beginning, just noone is willing to do anything to fix it.
I am tired of dealing with doctors, and am going to a naturopath next week to see where they can take me with it. I will let you know.

[fibrocentric]

Angelgirl, if you live in canada why don't you explore medical marijuana? It really can help some people a lot. I know it's not for everyone, but it's an idea.

[angelgirl333]

Update:

Went to emerg in the middle of the night last night. Thought I was having a heart attack, left arm hurt so bad. By the time all was said and done, blood tests are all  normal. ECG and heart echo are just fine. The only thing that I can chalk it up to or them is that there is muscular after effects of the flu shot. If you go to Empowerher.com. I am not the only one to seem to have this reaction this year.
So I am heading to the naturopath and getting this out of my system for once and for all. Not trusting regular doctors. Seems to do me more harm than good. Thanks everyone for the advice. Will keep you updated.  

[fibrocentric]

I'm sorry your having so many problems with this reaction. What a nightmare! And of course you go in and they find nothing. I went in for something similar and they made me drink lidocain then shot me full of morphine when that gave me a head ache and then they sent me home.

I tell my mom every year not to get a flu shot, but every year she does, and every year she spends about two months sleeping and popping aspirin. My boyfriend got one this year and it made him really sick for a few days. I have never had one and I have never let the dr talk me into it for my 3 healthy children either. It may help some people a lot, but so does hand washing.

[angelgirl333]

Tell me about it. I think I might have figured out at least part of the culprit. I had been eating eggs the last couple days, and my throat some what closed up and I was getting pins and needles all over my body. I have a sneaking suspicion that I may be allergic to eggs(hence the reaction to the flu shot). I am getting my doctor to set up an appt with an allergist. The only thing I am not sure what to watch for now, is how long I should take Benadryl for. If it is an allergic reaction, how long does it take to run its course. I really need answers here sooner than later. This is driving me nuts. Anyway that is my latest update for the moment.

[angelgirl333]

Heading to the chiropractor tomorrow. The last 2 days of itching has been crazy. I am not sure if it is the egg, the acai berry i just started taking, or something else. I am going to go see the chiropractor tomorrow since the doctors won't do anything. I will keep you updated.

[fibrocentric]

I think benadryl usually takes three or four days to really have and affect on an allergic reaction. I t should help with breathing problems and such sooner that that, but skin reactions take longer to respond. My middle son has had all sorts of strange allergic reactions to things but seems to be growing out of it with age and exposure.

I the alternative therapies help you.

[angelgirl333]

Here is my latest update. I went to a Chiropractor on Thursday and he re-aligned my spine. The pins and needles are not near as bad as they were. Still minor but not major at this point Knock on wood and say a prayer it continues to get better with what is going on. But I can feel where the nerves are pinched in my back so I am heading to physio on Monday and for a deep tissue massage sometime in the week.
I am not sure if it was an allergic reaction, stress, something deeper, nerves, combination maybe. This was a huge wake up call that it is time to do something about my body and not just let it keep breaking down. I am determined to make my body better. Though for anyone who reads this after going to the Chiropractor I did my research and found out that neck adjustments can cause a stroke, or bring on one so don't do one whatever you do, opt for physio instead. I let him align my spine and fix my hips and sciatic nerve, but he's not getting near my neck.
I still have parathesis in my face somewhat but I am not sure if that is part and parcel for the tooth I had pulled and the fact that they had to pull a root the dentist last year left in from a tooth extraction that went rotten. So I don't know if it is because of that or has to do with whatever is going on with my body.
I have upped my Vitamin D, E, and B6 and 12 because that is supposed to be good for repairing nerves, and making everything flow smoothly. I am also doing a vaccin-aid to get rid of this stupid flu vaccine in my system. After that I am doing a lymph drainage, and then a heavy metal cleanse. So this is going to be a big adjustment on my body over the next month, and I hope this will do the trick.
Any other thoughts please feel free. Right now, just saying lots of prayers, and hoping that what I am doing is going to put my body back into a normal state. Will let you know how I am doing. Thanks everyone.

[Cathy122169]

Hi - Not sure if you are checking here anymore and I hope you are feeling better. I wanted to let you know that there is a community on the Immunizations and Vaccines "Tingling After the Swine Flu Vaccine" section - we have all had terrible reactions to the h1n1 vacc...please check it out, I think you will find it very similar to what you have been dealing with...I think you may be right - the vaccine has casued many problems for people and if you noticed these symptoms just after the shot - you may be suffering from the neuropathy that is associated as a side effect -

The thinking is that the h1n1 caused an autoimmune reaction in which the immune system attacked the peripheral nerves and irritated them, resulting in vaccine related neuropathy. I have sick for 4 months and am hopefully on the mend...it has been horrible. I also have fibro, but I manage it by excercise and diet.

Check out the forum and see what you think.

Cathy