Fibromyalgia, Multiple sclerosis or an ear disorder?

[sammycung]

Hi all,
I'm hoping somebody will answer me because I’m totally desperate for answers. Ok it started a while ago, like 3 months or more; I started to have anxiety attacks and then it turned into derealisation (the feeling of being detached from reality) I am now taking pristiq for my anxiety and that has seemed to go away but the feeling of derealisation is still there but not quite as bad. What I am really writing this for is about the same time 3 months I have been feeling unsteady/unstable/off balance and an unsteady gait while walking and I tend to sway when i stand still. I have had CT scans, MRI's, blood works and they're all appearing normal. I have had widespread pain, aches all over, tingling, twitching, wooziness, numbness, slight weakness, and constant balance problems. Do you think this could be fibromyalgia? I have looked up all the inner ear balance disorders and I don't match up to any about from having poor balance. I have looked up fibromyalgia and have a lot of the symptoms (most of them) but I don't have the stiffness in the morning. Please help! What is causing my balance problems (Not dizziness) Please do not get these mixed up<. Do I have MS, Fibromyalgia inner ear disorder...???? Please help! What do you think it is?

[bdancer4ever]

I recommend a back doctor!  Pinched nerves can cause a barrage of such symptoms like yours.  They can get balled up and twisted and send some bizarre impulses to different body parts.

Have you ever tried a low dose of a muscle relaxant or anti-anxiety med to calm the muscles and nerves?

[grendslori]

The list of symptoms for MS is staggering! I probably have half or more of them myself, but do not have MS. I was diagnosed by a Rhuematologist at the University of Michigan. He didn't do the total of pressure point checks; he did them on my neck area and my thighs. He was a fellow. When the Staff Rhuematologist came in after 5 minutes or more, I was still in pain (on the scale, probably a 7-8) I saw the Rhuematologist because I also have Raynaurds. The diagnosis of Fibromyalgia was a complete shock. Now I know why I don't like people touching me! The stiffness in the morning is hard to miss, if you had it, you'd know it. Most people have a hard time walking and functioning, especially using their hands. I too have a lot of problems with balance, walking and muscle weakness. They tested me for Myastina Gravis, but I was negative. I have had a complete neurological work-up which showed problems with my strength, balance and cognitive issues. My MRI showed a (hopefully) non-malignant brain tumor, not related to the issues I'm having. I have had some problems with  disorientation as well and they are checking me out because of the possibility of early onset Altzheimers. (That's a scary thought!!) I am going for neurophysch test this week. There are several reasons they are testing for that. With the list of symptoms you are describing, you could have just about anything. Remember the longer your list of symptoms, the harder it is to figure out what is wrong. I don't know that you have Fibro, but then again, the list of symptoms for Fibro is the same as every bit as long as the list for things like MS. Among other things the neurologist told me is that there is a genetic neuropathy that one of the symptoms is that of a high instep in the foot which I have and so does my daughter who is also having many of the same symptoms that I am having. That neuropathy can cause all of the problems that the Fibro can cause such as loss of balance, muscle weaknesses etc. I would get in to see a neurologist and had him do a physical on you. I once described Fibro pain as being like having a pulled muscle all over your body, people seem to relate to that description. It hurts like that all over the body and it is a lingering pain.  

[sammycung]

what are you saying? do you think i have MS?

[Heather8]

the feeling of being detached from reality- probably one of my first symptoms of MS

With the symptoms you have being similar to mine i would say MS and later a dx of Fibro.

[patsy10]

It sounds like you might need an MRI of of neck and back.

[patsy10]

Yeah I was told all that too.  I was even told all my problems were from a herniated disk in my neck and I had an unnecessary surgery that made me worse.  I knew they were wrong.  A herniated disk does not cause blurred vision and burning paresthesias on the top of someones scalp.  But they wouldn't listen.

Stiffness in arms and legs.  Along with weak arms and legs.  I can't do a whole lot in the morning or I will have weakness all day long.  I'm still stiff during the day but not as bad as in am.  Other symptoms I have is pain all over, particularly hips, neck, upper back, muscle twitches all over, paresthesias all over.

[sammycung]

Hi, yeh, i have been tested for every virus, infection etc....still nothing! It's so frustrating and i think the doctor is getting ****** too. I have seen 4 different doctors because people told my to get other opinions. One doc said could be MS, but it might have been the meds i was on at the time; another doc said it's probably fibromyalgia; another said it's all in my head and the 4th thinks i probably have neck and back problems causing tingling, pain, and balance issues....I don't know what to think and this dx process seems to be taking for ever! I'm getting a neck X-ray soon to see if it's neck problems....I'm not convinced!
You have fibro, yeah? Can you please explain how the stiffness in the moring feels? thanks? :)

[patsy10]

No you don't sound like a nut.  I have a large number or your symptoms.  I did get a fibromyalgia diagnosis which many people seem to get when doctors don't know what is wrong.  I see this diagnosis given even though people have never gotten a tenderpoint exam.  11 out of 18 tenderpoints is required to be diagnosed with FMS.  So people are being diagnosed by practitioners who have not even done a proper exam.

Even if a proper exam is done and the criteria is met, a diagnosis of fibromyalgia means you have a syndrome (a group of symptoms) without a known cause.  So you still don't know what your underlying problem is.

I feel that several of your symptoms like mine, do not fit with FMS.  My symptoms started after a bullseye rash.  So it is likely that mine are related to lyme disease.

Have you been tested for viral and bacterial illnesses as these are often the culprit with these kind of symptoms?

[sammycung]

Also i have other symptoms that lead me to think otherwise when it comes to FMS
I have tremors, body jerks, weakness in one arm and it seems that i find it har to control small movements in that are but i'm not sure if it's just phyco somatic. I know the tremors can be causes by the anti-depressant i'm on but i'm not sure if it started before i started to take it. I don't know what causes the body jerks, it seems like when im sitting still my body just jerks like a quick reflex to nothing, it happens all over, mostlty the legs though. I also have like a tight squeezing sensation in my left thigh near the knee but i think it my be causes by me putting my leg really hard against the arm of the computer chair as i sit on it with my legs crossed and it has a constant pressure on my leg and i sit on the chair in that position every day and i spend hours like that, and only that leg is squished against the chair an the other is free, do you think this could cause that squeezins sensation? It's kind of like "muscle spasticity" feeling, i think. I know i probably sound like a nut but i have just had enough and want to know what the heck is wrong with me!

[sammycung]

Hey, No I have not had a fibro pressure point examination because you have to see a specialist for that and I don't have the money. A lot of those fibro symptoms sound like me, let me just paste the ones I experience and I will give a rating of what symptoms are worse or more common 1 being the least irritating and 10 being the worst:
*fatigue 6
*breast pain *(chest pain - rib cage pain) 6
*irritable bladder 8
*loss of libido 9
*upset stomach 5
*change in bowel function - constipation, diarrhoea 6
*joint pain *(mostly muscle, but can be perceived as joint) 7
*muscle pain 7
*headache 6
*twitching of the face or other muscles 9
*tingling 10, numbness 6, burning or stabbing sensations 5, shooting pains 5
*increased motion sickness6, vertigo7, poor balance 6-7
*light-headedness, wooziness 6
*difficulty with concentration, reading
*confusion, difficulty in thinking 6
*forgetfulness, poor short term memory 7
*disorientation - getting lost, going to wrong places 8
*difficulty with speech or writing 8
*mood swings, irritability, depression 7
*disturbed sleep - too much, too little, early awakening 10
But! I do not get the stiffness well so I think, I am not sure I know how that would feel as dumb as that sounds like does it mean you feel like you can't mover or?
Sorry to hear you have lupus :(
Thanks for all you help, and thanks everyone for all you answers!

[karajo]

It could be more than one thing.  I had some horrible vertigo, w/ severe nausea sometimes throwing up.  It ended up that I had Rocky Mountain Spotted Tick, Lupus and fibromyalgia.  I started on the antibiotic (RMST) and Plaquenil (Lupus) almost at the same time, so I don't know exactly which one helped me the most.  If I go a few days w/o the Plaquenil many symptoms come flooding back.  But lupus can cause problems with the central nervous system.  But most people w/ lupus have skin involvement and joint pain.  You didn't mention either one of  these.  

Symptoms of lymes disease are:    (an * is added if fibromyalgia symptom too)
fever, sweats, chills or flushing
*weight loss or gain (fibro - weight loss)
*fatigue
unexplained hair loss
swllen glands
sore throat
pelvic pain (women)
menstrual irregulrity
*breast pain *(chest pain - rib cage pain)
*irritable badder
*loss of libido
*upset stomach
*change in bowel function - constipation, diarrhea
chest pain or rib soreness
shortness of breath, cough
*heart palpitations, pulse skips
history of heart murmur or valve prolapse
*joint pain *(mostly muscle, but can be preceived as joint)
stiffness of the joints, neck or back
*muscle pain
*?twitching of the face or other muscles
*headache
*neck creeks, stiffness, neck pain
*tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains
facial paralysis
eyes/vision - double, blurry, increased floaters, light sensitivity
ears/hearing - bussing, ringing, ear pain, sound sensitivity
*increased motion sickness, vertigo, poor balance
*lightheadedness, wooziness
tremor
*confusion, difficulty in thinking
*difficulty with concentration, reading
*forgetfulness, poor short term memory
*disorientation - getting lost, going to wrong places
*difficulty with speech or writing
*mood swings, irritability, depression
*disturbed sleep - too much, too little, early awakening
exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol

Fibromyalgia has tender pressure points.  Has a dr. done the pressure point examination for fibromyalgia?  

Pray that you can find some answers.
God bless, Kara

[VaBreeze]

I know that frustration.  I went over 30 yrs. before being diagnosed.  All the while I wondered what was wrong and why I continued to have health issues.  I have always experience balance problems (falling down steps and such - they never found anything wrong) and it ended with my having a fall that seriously damaged my leg and placed me on disability.  Even now I can simply sit in bed and have an experience where it seems everything suddenly goes out (like a spell of some sort).  A few minutes later it will pass.  It could very well be FMS or CFS (or both).  I hope you can find a physician who is experienced in these illnesses who can dx you and help you on the road to healing.

Best of luck to you.

[sammycung]

Thanks for all of your answers guys! I dunno, my doc doesn't seem to think its MS but I’m totally puzzled as my symptoms are so similar! I'm so frustrated; I just want to know what’s wrong with me :(

[alexis32]

i've had inner ear problems, beyond the usual colds or allergies.  i was dx'd with FM/CFIDS, and also POTS/SOTS.  your symptoms sound very familiar, and i wouldn't wait to see your doctor so that you can be properly examined, have your ears checked, and you should ask your doctor about a tilt table test.  good luck - stay well

[VaBreeze]

If the MRI and CT scan did not show MS, it is likely not MS.  Although there is an illness called A-typical MS.  An inner ear disorder would not cause the pain in other body locations.  It could by Lyme, as this is difficult to detect with the routine bloodwork tests.  

The best advice I can think of is for you to continue seeing a specialist (neurologist, rheumatologist or FMS/CFS) so they can follow your condition and symptoms.  MedHelp does offer great trackers for pain that can be kept on a daily basis and printed out so you can carry them to your dr. appt.  It's beneficial to also keep a journal to present to your physician.  In our Health Pages, under Newly Diagnosed, it will show a list of other medical conditions that should be ruled out, prior to a dx of FMS.

Hope you get answers soon and feel better.

[patsy10]

I don't think it fits any of the options you posted but I am not a doctor.  I would consider lyme testing as wonko mentioned.  There is lyme in Australia.  The only reason I know this is because I looked it up as I correspond with someone here at medhelp that lives in Australia.  She has similar symptoms as you.

[FurballsMom]

Another thing that can cause this dizziness you're talking about is an aura to migraines.  I found out that's my problem, since my neurologist told me that this is an aura, whether or not I notice the headache.  Ever since he told me this I've noticed the headaches more, just like he said would happen now that I'm aware of what is happening to me.

[wonko]

Have you been tested for Lyme disease?  I don't know much about it's prevalence in your country, but your symptoms could all be described by it.

There is a lot of overlap between these diseases and it can be difficult and time consuming to sort out.