chronic pain and depression

[regshadar]

hi
i have suffered from depression since i was 18 years old and have always been on some type of anti depressant. when i was around 23 years i started to have severe muscle spasms in my neck and also pain. so i tryed to manage the pain for as long as i could and also left my job due to depression and anxiety because of  pain and spasm and couldnt hold my neck properly and felf very conscouse of this.  ive had mri scans done and i have minor protrusion in 5 discs in neck and also one facet joint is wearing down and the curve on my neck has changed also. so i was told by consultant there was nothing i could do with my neck.  then last year around may 2010 i started to have severe muscle spasms permanently (everyday) jaw pain (muscle) muscle pain in arms goin into my fingers and the same in legs ( back of kness and feet) this is happening every single day. i also started to have chronic tiredness and diziness, poor concentration. my doc prescripted neurontin and told me it was neuropathic pain, i also take effexor and had to go up to 300mg a day but eventually it stoped working and was sent to a phychiatrist as my depression just got alot worse as no one can give a correct diagnosis as why i am getting neuropathic pain. i am now at the stage where my phychiatrist is slowly weaning me of effexor and puting me on amnitrypaline. my doc has also referred me to a neurologist but am on a waiting list so it could take months to see one. could you give me some idea what might be wrong with me and why am i getting all this pain and muscle spasm. at the moment i dont find amnitrytaline any good for depression but does help with pain. please  

[regshadar]

thankj you for your help

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
The various reasons for myalgia or muscle ache are Dengue, viral flu, lupus, Lyme’s, malaria, polio, electrolyte disturbance especially low potassium (so serum electrolytes should be done), dehydration, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, inflammation of muscles or myositis (hence CPK-MB should be done), high eosinophil counts, use of certain drugs like statins, and post viral fatigue syndrome.
I would suggest you get the blood levels of the following checked if they have not already been checked: potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, vitamin B complex, or vitamins B1, B3, or B6 and Vitamin D. Generally deficiencies of any of the above can cause muscle twitching and spasms in localized or generalized areas of the body. Get your kidney function, parathyroid gland function and adrenal function tests done because these affect the electrolyte balance in the body. Stress, alcohol, caffeine and fatigue all cause similar symptoms. Hence if you take alcohol or coffee then cut this down. Sleep at regular hours and see if it helps. Certain sleep disorders and peripheral nerve disorders due to diabetes or hypothyroidism can also be the cause.
Since I cannot examine you and know other related conditions you may be having, nor is a detailed history possible on net, I have listed the various possibilities that should be looked into. Do discuss this with your doctor and get yourself examined. Take care!