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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Is It All a Herniated Disc or Something Other Than Fibromyalgia?
Answered by
Cleveland Clinic
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury.
Is It All a Herniated Disc or Something Other Than Fibromyalgia?
by Lady07, Aug 12, 2009 09:00AM
I have been under treatment for seven years for a poorly functioning thyroid, which is under control, so I know my symptoms aren't from the thyroid.
I have recently been diagnosed with a herniated disc at #9 and 10 in my spine. #8 and 9 are just starting to herniate. This was discovered on an MRI I had done recently due to severe mid back pain that wraps around my left side to the front. But I have noticed recently that my hands are aching horribly as well being unable to hold my arms up very long. I am also terribly fatigued my legs feel like they are suffering from Charlie Horse's all the time, but there's no sciatic pain. That one I know of from college. My vision has a tendency to blur out on me even though I just had my glasses strengthened a year ago with trifocals added. I am having a tendency to drop things unexepectedly and occasionally trip. My husband is noticing that I am a bit forgetful which is very unusual for me. My right foot on the bottom will occasionally burn like and tingle just a little bit. I have had restless legs for years to which I am treated for, I don't know if that may have something to with the overall picture. I have noticed my right knee occasionally locking up worrying me it may lock up and throw me down the steps.
I have been checked for arthritis by a rheumatologist to find out it's negative as well as for Fibromyalgia to be checked negative for it.
I am just wondering if it's all related to my discs in my back or if something else could be happening as new symptoms seem to pop up. I am scheduled to see a neurosurgeon next month for the discs, but was hoping to learn what might be happening to me. It's all happened so suddenly since I turned forty last December.
I am also experiencing swelling in the hands and fingers off and on.
Thanks for the help.
I have recently been diagnosed with a herniated disc at #9 and 10 in my spine. #8 and 9 are just starting to herniate. This was discovered on an MRI I had done recently due to severe mid back pain that wraps around my left side to the front. But I have noticed recently that my hands are aching horribly as well being unable to hold my arms up very long. I am also terribly fatigued my legs feel like they are suffering from Charlie Horse's all the time, but there's no sciatic pain. That one I know of from college. My vision has a tendency to blur out on me even though I just had my glasses strengthened a year ago with trifocals added. I am having a tendency to drop things unexepectedly and occasionally trip. My husband is noticing that I am a bit forgetful which is very unusual for me. My right foot on the bottom will occasionally burn like and tingle just a little bit. I have had restless legs for years to which I am treated for, I don't know if that may have something to with the overall picture. I have noticed my right knee occasionally locking up worrying me it may lock up and throw me down the steps.
I have been checked for arthritis by a rheumatologist to find out it's negative as well as for Fibromyalgia to be checked negative for it.
I am just wondering if it's all related to my discs in my back or if something else could be happening as new symptoms seem to pop up. I am scheduled to see a neurosurgeon next month for the discs, but was hoping to learn what might be happening to me. It's all happened so suddenly since I turned forty last December.
I am also experiencing swelling in the hands and fingers off and on.
Thanks for the help.
Doctor's Answer
by Sara Khan, Aug 15, 2009 06:45PM
, Aug 15, 2009 06:45PM
Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with your doctor.
Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
You have mentioned multiple symptoms, which could represent a single process vs multiple things going on. The arm weakness and fatigue can not be explained by T9-10 disc herniation. Do you have symptoms of numbness or tingling in your arms?? If there are other neurological symptoms in your arms, that may represent a disc herniation in the cervical spine. Alternatively, in association with the occasional swelling in the joints of your hands, it may be part of a rheumatological process.
Again it is very difficult to attribute all your symptoms to one cause. You should get your basic labs tested. Although I know this is not similar to the problems you have had before with your thyroid, it would be worthwhile to test your thyroid functions right now, as it can mimic many neurological problems. Checking vitamin levels like B12, tests for diabetes,checking for anemia, basic autoimmune labs like ANA, ESR, CRP (which can point towards an underlying rhematological or inflammatory problem) will also be useful. Restless legs,if not controlled with medications, can cause you to feel excessively fatigued all day long. It may be worthwhile seeing a neurologist for a second opinion.
Seeing a neurosurgeon will be helpful. He can examine your arms too, and perhaps suggest if this could be due to your cervical spine.
Thank you for using this forum. I hope I have answered some of your concerns and wish you the best of health.
Without the ability to examine you and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of your symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.
You have mentioned multiple symptoms, which could represent a single process vs multiple things going on. The arm weakness and fatigue can not be explained by T9-10 disc herniation. Do you have symptoms of numbness or tingling in your arms?? If there are other neurological symptoms in your arms, that may represent a disc herniation in the cervical spine. Alternatively, in association with the occasional swelling in the joints of your hands, it may be part of a rheumatological process.
Again it is very difficult to attribute all your symptoms to one cause. You should get your basic labs tested. Although I know this is not similar to the problems you have had before with your thyroid, it would be worthwhile to test your thyroid functions right now, as it can mimic many neurological problems. Checking vitamin levels like B12, tests for diabetes,checking for anemia, basic autoimmune labs like ANA, ESR, CRP (which can point towards an underlying rhematological or inflammatory problem) will also be useful. Restless legs,if not controlled with medications, can cause you to feel excessively fatigued all day long. It may be worthwhile seeing a neurologist for a second opinion.
Seeing a neurosurgeon will be helpful. He can examine your arms too, and perhaps suggest if this could be due to your cervical spine.
Thank you for using this forum. I hope I have answered some of your concerns and wish you the best of health.
