Could I have Fibromyalgia or CFS & another illness?

[ANITRA1]

Since January 09 I have had daily chronic back pain & fatigue every day as well as joint pain, headaches, chest pains, abdominal pain from time to time, anxiety, nausea, I'm always thirsty and I'm always cold and have sugar and salt cravings. I have been seeing doctors & have had many tests done with no diagnosis as of yet. I'm between 35-40 years old and so far I have been told I have high aldosterone, high blood pressure, low potassium, low cortisol, low ACTH, above normal magnesium & low vitamin D. I had an MRI of the abdomen to see if I had a tumor on my adrenal gland for hyperaldosteronism but there was no tumor. I had a CT scan of the back & it showed nothing & a chest x-ray & it showed nothing. I am getting frustrated of having my blood drawn on average twice a week as well as 24 hour urines only to be told they don't know what is wrong with me. I told my endocrinologist I am seeing a Nephrologist to see if it could be my kidneys and also a Rheumatologist for Fibromyalgia and CFS as I am experiencing all the symptoms. Is it possible to have two conditions at the same time or could one be causing symptoms of the other?  How can I get a diagnosis, I am so frustrated & have been home on disability & I am getting depressed as a result.

[VaBreeze]

With all the hundreds of doctors I have seen in the past...not one of them have done the POTS test.  I find that unusual since my main complaint back then was the dizziness I was experiencing on a daily basis.  

Good info.  Thank you for sharing this.

[PlateletGal]

It certainly sounds like you could have CFS, but I cannot explain the high aldosterone level. Also, the majority of CFS patients have low normal to very low blood pressure, but I believe that I've read that 2% of CFS patients have high blood pressure. (I think it was Dr. Paul Cheney's research. If I remember right, Dr. Cheney was the physician who discovered heart problems in CFS patients).

CFS patients often have a low, but normal ACTH level and a low cortisol level. Are you frequently dizzy and does your heart race when you stand up ? If so... consider tilt table testing to rule out POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome).


Diagnostic and blood tests to help rule out CFS:

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Fibromyalgia/Diagnostic--Blood-Tests-to-Help-Diagnose-CFS/show/376?cid=39

[Sheilathatsme]

It is possible to have more than one Rheumatological issue at a time. Fibromyalgia is often found co-existing with Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, Chronic fatigue Syndrome and Sjogren's Syndrome. The one issue you must address is the low vitamin D levels. This can cause severe pain, digestive issues, muscle spasms and a variety of other issues.

I would recommend seeing a Rheumatologist about your variety of issues they may be symptoms to an auto-immune disease. You also need a pressure point test and may also need to have a sleep study. Fibromyalgia suffers often have sleep disorders. Also it is common for Fibro sufferers to experience irritable bladder. I wish you the best of luck. I know how frustrated you are. I've been in your shoes. Finding the right doctor is the key. If one doctor doesn't give you the answers you need then move on to the next. It's sad to say that most of us with auto-immune problems go through quite a few doctors before we find the one who helps us. God bless.

Sheilathatsme

[VaBreeze]

The vitamin D deficiency could be causing some of your pain issues.  I'm sure that they are having you take supplements to increase your level.  

FM is based on exclusions of anything else that could be causing your symptoms.  If you go to our 'Health Pages' you will see a list of possible illnesses (Newly Diagnosed) that can cause like symptoms with FMS.  Typically, the physician will rule out these other possibilities and if nothing is found then a dx of FM could be given.

Please check this out and see what they have already tested you for.  There may be something reflected that your doc. has not considered.  Yes, you can have two conditions of anything (like FMS and RA or CFS...etc.).

If the physician you are seeing now does not dx you, you may try a Rheumatologists as they seem to be more familiar with these illnesses.  Please keep in touch to let us know how things go for you.

Take care.