Muscle Soreness

[Elizabeth]

Reading and responding to some of the other messages on this Forum prompted me to write my own message. Starting in January I thought I had the flu. I had all the classic symptoms; tiredness, weakness, achy legs and hands and overall yuck. The symptoms gradually decreased but then every once in a while I would get these strange shivers/tingling going down my spine out my arms and down my legs. My hands would be weak and clumsy. Gradually those went away and now I am left with a muscle soreness in my legs that is with me constantly. I have had this muscle soreness for 8 months, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I can't remember the last time I have moved my legs without them feeling sore. Sometimes (one or two times a week) they feel so weak, like i'm recovering from the flu, that I just have to sit and put my feet up because I don't feel like doing a thing.

I have done the ususal MRI of brain and spine, EMG, blood tests, Lyme tests - all negative. Physical exams are normal. I have left many a doctor stumped.

My neuro doesn't seem to think it's MS - but he can't be 100% sure. (He doesn't think its time for a spinal tap). The only other two symptoms I have is the occasional weakness/heaviness/clumsiness in my hands, but this lasts only a couple of hours and leaves. Also, I have been feeling lightheaded lately (but I also got a new perscription for contacts).

I'm sick of going to doctors - and one of them suggested that I could have had a viral infection in January and it's just taking an extra-long time to recover (hence the muscle soreness). What do you think? Does this sound like beginning symptoms of MS or just an extra-long recovery. Health wise everything else is fine. Should I start the round of doctors again or should I wait and see? Thanks in advance to any advice from anyone!!

[Elizabeth]

Melanie - i'm sorry for what you're going through, and it sounds exactly like the same thing I have. In January it will be going on one year, and I have noticed a difference in these almost 12 months. The pain/soreness has diminished - not entirely - but it's a lot better. I don't wish you ill, but i'm glad someone out there has what I have so I know i'm not going crazy and it's not "all in my head." Thanks for taking the time to respond. I hope yours clears up completely!! Good luck to you. --- Elizabeth

[melanie hoffmann]

Dear Elizabeth, I was thinking about your muscle soreness last night and was wondering if you could possibly have the same thing I am supposed to have.  I also have had extreme muscle soreness, but in my lower back and rear end.  The muscle is just very, very sore, there's no other way to describe it.  My labs also came back normal, except for a slight anemia--11 and my doctor wants it to be 13.  Apparently, the muscle soreness resulted from an inflammation of the tissue covering the muscle and the joints in the lower back and rear.  When an inflammation is present, the cells can, do, secrete a sticky substance and the tissue can literally get stuck to the underlying muscle creating extreme soreness, especially on movement.  After 2 years, my soreness is better, but I have nerve irrtation that drives me crazy.  The microscopic sensory nerves can get stuck with the microscopic muscle fibers and become very, very irritated and cause all sorts of strange symptoms--not dangerous physically, but emotionally, it can make you a wreck.  I, too, am weak--don't know if my inflammation started with a virus or not but could have.  Also, the circulation in the area can become poor.  The little arteries supplying the tissue and skin get stuck as well and don't work as well.  Sorry I'm not explaining this well, but I'm not an M.D.  I was on pain pills for a year and only stopped last month.  The pain is a lot better, but still there.  The nerve irritation comes and goes, depending on what I do.  I've been told, it's all part of an inflammation and the body needs time to heal itself.  I went to four doctors before this was diagnosed properly, so I guess it's not an easy diagnosis for everyone.  An inflammation can always be cured, but unless we take away the underlying cause, it will come back.  Hope this is a little helpful.  Good luck and take care.  Let us know how you're doing.  Melanie

[melanie hoffmann]

Dear Elizabeth, Thanks for caring enough to post a message while you're suffering yourself.  (To CCF Neuro MD--it's not acute. it's been going on for two years now, that's what makes it so frustrating.)  Elizabeth, I think I'm too scared to die to commit suicide, but like everyone else, I want my life back.  I see my GP on a regular basis and she takes a very casual attitude to all this suffering, saying that it won't kill me and I should be patient.  I guess you know that patience wears out after suffering so long.  Your family cares a lot at first, but then they have to get on with their own lives.  My husband is so frustrated with it, he's started sleeping in a guest room and rarely speaks.  I guess I was just feeling very isolated.  Elizabeth, you helped a lot.  Thanks for caring and good luck to you, too.  (I don't mean to take up space on your post--forgive me.)  Thanks again.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Thanks for the comment.  This forum is not for emergency care and if something is very acute one should go to the emergency room and call their family physician.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD

[Elizabeth]

Melanie - suicide is not the answer to your problem. I suggest you make an appointment with your gp right away or check yourself into a hospital. I'm not a psychiatrist or a medical doctor so I can't give you any medical advice, but as a person who is going through strange symptoms myself, please don't do anything rash!!!!!!!!!!!!

[melanie hoffmann]

I just want to say that I think it