Recent Fibro diagnosis

[obieone]

I have recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.  4 years ago I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, there were 5 big tumors around my neck and one really big one behind my breast bone.  I went through very intense chemo and radiation therapy for a year.  The tumors were never taken out as they were inoperable.  They did shrink and  I am now in remission.  My Oncologist said that the tumor behind my breast bone was really big and it will always shows up when I get my PET scan.  She doesnt want to remove it and said we just need to keep an eye on it, they would have to break open my breast bone to get the tumor out.  

Since my chemo and radiation I have complained about severe arm pain, to include my elbows, forearms, hands, and upper back and shoulders, my lower back hurts as well but not as severe.  For 4 years, since treatment I have complained about the same symptoms, even when I am at the Dr. for something else, (I constantly get sick), why did it take so long to get this diagnosis?

also, in the past few months my pain has increased in my shoulders, neck, arm and hands.  It is mainly on the right side although not as intense on the left.  I am to the point that I can not carry a gallon of milk, open a door, or reach up to grab something with my right arm or grasp with my right hand because the pain shoots down my arm to hand.  I also can barely move my head and neck and it hurts to breath in or talk.  I have seen a pain doctor and he scheduled an epidural injection next week in my upper back on the right side.  Will this procedure help me with the pain?  Am I having this pain because of the several tumors around that area that were never removed ot is this common for Fibro patients? Is this a normal procedure for a fibro patient?  

I am so sick of the pain, I cant stand it anymore, its like someone is taking a really hot knife and twisting my nerves around it and pulling.  I am in my 30's and should not feel like I am in my 90's.

Thanks in advance for your comments.


This discussion is related to Left chest and shoulder pain, left arm (underneath), wrist and pinkie finger pai.

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I understand your situation, since I'm also diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  My pain  is symmetrically distributed but the most disturbing is the discomfort in my neck.  I feel that I want to stretch the muscles in my neck all the time, giving me this ugly mannerism.  I'm also drained of energy for most of the day but i usually manage to get through.  For people like us with this condition, it is really beneficial if we can have 'restorative-sleep'.  This is  the level of sleep that we want to achieve, since some of our symptoms can be due to 'non-restorative sleep'.  Anti-depressant drugs can help to achieve this level of sleep and hopefully control some of our symptoms.  I suggest you discuss this option with your doctor.

I'm as eager as you are in finding out the full-proof solution.  Until then... God bless.

[leatherman]

My wife was diagnosed with fibromyalgia years ago and tried many things until her cousin told her she had cured hers with a six month course of doxicyclin an anti-biotic. She took doses of acidophilus between doses of antibiotic to keep her gut working.
She and her cousin are both pain free now for many years. Her doctor told her that many rhumotologists are using this method now.
leatherman