Muscle Pain, Fatigue, Weakness, Cramping

[nReilly]

I have been suffering from this type of pain for years. My muscles ache all the time. They feel bruised, sore, and achy deep near the bone. My muscles are tight and ropy - so my massage therapists have told me. I have spasms and jerky muscles, especially my arms. I will at times slap myself in the face from a muscle jerk. The more I exercise, the worse I feel. I play volleyball and I'm okay during play, after I am in pain. Often for days afterwards. I go walking but my walking feels as if I am walking on wooden legs that are cramping the entire time.

My hands and feet are extremely tight and feel as if they are going to curl into a ball. My forearms and fingers are always tights and my biceps are weak and sore despite my ability to show strength through activity. I wake in the morning feeling as if I have been crumpled into a ball. My sole of my right foot will experience a sharp pain when I get out of bed as if I am tearing the muscle. I am constantly fatigued and sleepy no matter how much sleep I get. I have recently been put on a CPAP (one month) yet there has been no relief or alleviation of my sleepiness and fatigue. At times I can be extremely short of breath - I should quit smoking 4-5 cigarettes every other day.

My symptoms began after I had bells palsy at 27 and after I went to yoga and it felt as if I tore every muscle in my hamstrings. Immediately after, I couldn't sit on the toilet for at least three days without holding onto the door. Today my hamstrings are extremely tight no matter how long or often I stretch them.  My muscles cramp, roll, spasm, and tighten up - it feels as if I have shin splints or tight muscles all the time. I have captured the cramps and muscle rolls on video but nothing from any of my doctors.

I have been to neurologists, rheumatologists, witch doctors, hematologists. They tell me they know it's something but they don't know what. Aside from my hematologist who is monitoring my elevated iron through periodic phlebotomies. My CK counts fluctuate between the 100s and the 1000s. One doctor called me to make sure that I wasn't having a heart attack because my CK was 15000 during one round of blood work.  My ANA was positive speckled.  I've had two muscle biopsies, the first five years ago came back showing signs of denervation while the second came back fine except the doctor noted that my muscles were extremely tight. There is no apparent inflammation in my muscles or joints. Acupuncture doesn't really help as my muscles "spit out" the needles during a spasm.

I don't know what to do anymore. I am extremely sad from all the pain. If anyone can help I would appreciate any and all advice.

Thank you all in advance. (I posted a version of this in another discussion but I'm not sure if it is an active thread, please forgive the double post.)

[cjruz]

parasites?

[jenlschiffer]

MAYBE CELIAC DISEASE OR THYROID DISEASE.

[nReilly]

Thank you for the comments and suggestions. I think I have had some of these checked, however I will let my primary care know what other things to check for.

I will look more into fibromyalgia. My first look at it didn't seem like it was the case, but I will look again.

I will keep you posted.

Thank you DM.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
There is a possibility that it is fibromyalgia.
I would suggest you get the blood levels of the following checked if they have not already been checked: potassium, calcium, sodium, vitamin B complex, or vitamins B1, B3, or B6 and Vitamin D. Get your kidney function, parathyroid gland function and adrenal function tests done because these affect the electrolyte balance in the body. Stress, alcohol, and fatigue all cause similar symptoms.
Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!