Could this be fibromyalgia

[Shuggie]

I am a 30 year old female. I started having symptoms 2 years ago after a very severe sinus and ear infection (kept me in bed for 2 weeks). The first symptoms I had were severe fatigue, muscle weakness, and an off balance feeling. Now, symptoms include achy/stiff at different times, especially when getting up in the morning, Numbness/tingling in face, down both arms, and occasionally upper thighs. Blurry vision-especially in right eye-this never completely goes away but it does improve.  Eyes are very light sensitive at times.  Hip joints hurt severly at times-usually at least 2 or 3 times a month. Palpitations.  Achy/Stiff. Severe Fatigue. I will have 'spells' where I feel like I'm freezing cold. My skin will feel very cold to the touch-especially my upper back and face.  Other times my skin is very warm to the touch(fever feeling). Face "flushes" red. Difficulty concentrating.  Several times I have been asleep and when I awaken I see black spots.  Feet, legs, arms "fall asleep" easily.  Several times I have had a warm/burning sensation spread from my thighs up my abdomen - especially bad at night.  Muscles in neck hurt-especially right side- sometimes hurts even up the back of my head. Continual sinus trouble, ears have a 'popping' feeling like there is fluid behind them, palpitations, shortness of breath.  The most severe symptoms are the fatigue, muscle weakness (at times 'heavy arms' like I can't even lift them and it is hard to hold anything), Muscles & bones/joints hurt, numbness/tingling, and an off balance/dizzy feeling. Could this be fibromyalgia?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT]

You describe multiple symptoms, only some of which could represent fibromyalgia. The most severe ones you report could be consistent with the diagnosis, but other things such as the vision changes, temperature intolerance, and palpitations/shortness of breath may need to be further evaluated by your primary care physician. ROutine lab tests to check for a thyroid disorder, muscle problem, possibly EKG if you're having cardiac rhythm problems (they could be anxiety attacks also), and a formal eye exam by an ophthalmologist may need to be considered. If everything turns out ok, consider a rheumatology referral to help with the possible diagnosis of fibromyalgia. GOod luck.

[Cindylou]

This could be fibromyalgia or myofascial pain syndrome.  There are ways to find out if you have either one.
Find a good pain clinic in your area so that they can test you.
I have myofascial pain syndrome and the symptoms are very similair, if not the same as yours. I have been going to a chronic pain clinic and it has helped a whole lot. Just to mention to you that the more you worry the worse it gets.

[Annika]

Dear Shuggie,

If I were in your place, I would definitely want to be evaluated promptly by a neurologist.  I am speaking on this as a patient, with the perspective of someone who was diagnosed at age 29 with a spinal tumor.  I don't mean to say that this is the cause of your symptoms, but many of the symptoms you describe could be caused by neurological abnormalities in one or more of several different areas: the spinal cord, the brainstem, the cranial nerves (which control the normal functions of the head/neck), or possibly the brain.  

I am sure there are many other, less serious problems which could explain the difficulty you are having.  However, this really needs to be evaluated by a qualified neurologist.   If the neurologist felt it necessary after hearing your story, an MRI (possibly several, of different parts of the nervous system) could provide helpful information to rule out some of the more worrisome diagnoses.  

In addition to tumors, other spinal cord/brain stem abnormalities that can cause similar symptoms include an Arnold-Chiari Malformation (an anomaly of the position of the brainstem with respect to the base of the skull), and syringomyelia (a cyst-like fluid collection within the spinal cord).  One neurosurgeon who treats both of these problems has expressed dismay that they appear to be more common than previously thought, and that patients with early symptoms of these disorders don't seem to be getting referred to the right specialists in time.  It can be difficult, because the early symptoms are often quite subtle.  There may be no visible abnormalities on physical exam, and the doctor has to go by the history alone in deciding whether or not to get an MRI to rule out these problems.

I don't mean to write this to frighten you, just to encourage you to see a good neurologist.  Again, I'm speaking only as a patient here, and because of my own experience I have a greater suspicion for ruling out these diagnoses than other people might.

Good luck,
Annika

[puma]

The symptoms you mentioned are not all of those related to Fibromyalgia. The weakness may be from something else as well as the dizziness especially if you had an ear infection prior.

You may have a lingering infection such as staff or something as bad as Lupus, although there are many other symptoms than what you described. You should see your Doc and get a complete blood test including Lupus and possibly a six hour glucose tolerance test for low blood sugar which produces those symptoms.

Fibro is usally checked by a rheumetologist as is Lupus. I have Fibro and low blood sugar. Lupus I don't know, I live too far from the test site for the blood to remain stable for testing. I don't have some of those symptoms you mentioned, such as dizziness, black spots before my eyes upon waking etc. I do however have constant nagging pain in all joints and muscles with weakness but if I work hard the weakness will fade but once I sit down, then I can barely get back up after about ten minutes.

I hope this helps. Plug Lupus into your search engine and it will give you the required symtpoms. Then Fibromyalgia, then low blood sugar. There are other things too but that's a good start.

Take care and good luck.

Chatahan.......wildcat