Could this be Fibromyalgia..Need Help

[Hannahmoo]

I am a 48 yr old female in desperate need of some answers. The following is a summary of what I've been experiencing. I am near the end of my rope with all of this and no closer to an answer. On April 27th of this year I began flushing in face and neck, my heartrate increased to 135, I had a pulsating/burning pain in the upper right quadrant just below ribs that radiated around to the back and into my right hip and palpitations. I was unable to eat anything without abdominal pain and burning. I have lost 14 lbs. at 5"9, I went from 134 to 120. After a brief stay in the ER, I went to see a gastro. doctor at U of P Hosp. He ran the following tests:

Abdominal Ultrasound - was unremarkable
Triple Phase CT Scan - revealed what appeared to be a hemangioma on liver (not the normal characteristics)
MRI - (without contrast) - confirmed hemangioma on liver - otherwise unremarkable
Octreotide Scan (looking for carcinoid cancer tumors) - unremarkable
Small Bowel Study - revealed transient distented ileum loop of bowel - Doctor was not concerned
MRI Brain - unremarkable
Blood studies...............all unremarkable and within normal limits

I am  now able to eat somewhat more but gain not a pound! The LRQ burning pain, dizziness and fatigue continue. Pain in my spine (especially lower back, hip and neck) have gotten worse. Headaches are excruciating. I am scheduled for a colonoscopy on Nov. 18th...

My docotor is at a loss and has said that perhaps I have too much stress and he has suggested I take Elavil (sp?)
Yes, I have stress! Who wouldn't who felt like this! I'm terrified the scans may have missed something. Does anyone have any suggestions or a similar situation out there?

[VaBreeze]

I had a friend with polymyalgia rheumatica who had symptoms like that beeboppinalong.  

Lymes is difficult to dx.  I recall that after being outdoors one time I got a rash on my leg.  Two drs. looked at it and didn't know what it was, but treated it.  Now that I have the fibro symptoms I wonder if it could be lymes instead (because of that strange round rash).   Since you work outside, do you recall any skin rashes on your body anywhere?  You may miss the tick, but that rash is difficult to overlook.

Yes, you can be regular and still experience peri-menopause.  From what i've read, peri-meno can go on for many years before menopause and can happen at any time.  Have you had a blood workup lately?  Vitamin B deficiencies are typical as we get older.  When they found I had it, I was having horrible sweating and experienced weight loss too.  

I hope you feel better soon.  Take care of yourself.

[beeboppinalong]

I have fibro, and currently under the care of a Neurologist. My symptons are swelling of the neck & shoulder muscle, , tingling & numbness of my finger tips up & down mostly on left side. Headaches going up the back of my head. I do not have full rotation of my neck. I also am undergoing occipital nerve block injections & trigger point. You can look both of these up. This is basically inflamation of the muscles  located in the neck, shoulder, lower back, rib cage (you know when you feel like your bra is on to tight, and you do not have one on) hip area. I suggest you have a consult with a female neurologist. That is what I did. there is no cure for this just pain management. I have not suffered as bad as you. I have an appetite. take care....God Bless

[patsy10]

Lyme can present with a flu-like illness or nothing at all.  Some people have it for years and never knew then all of sudden strange symptoms start.  Less than 50% of people remember a rash or bite.  Your state is one of the endemic states.  You might consider this a possibility.  Weight loss is definitely not a sign of peri-menopause.  If anything, weight gain would occur.

[Hannahmoo]

Thanks for responding. Yes VaBreeze, I suppose it (the flushing) could be part of perimenopause but up  until this month I have been perfectly regular and the night sweats and flushing have been going on since April. Is it possible to be regular and be experiencing night sweats from perimenopause? I guess I'm about the right age. I'm so perplexed and upset about all this. I'm sure there is a bit of anxiety that comes along with this but I am not a person who generally has panic attacks.

The Lyme's Disease suggestion  is interesting. I did do a tremendous amount of work outdoors last summer and fall but wouldn't it have manifested long before April? The lower back pain and hip pain have been present for a long time but the flushing, fatigue, gastrointestinal and weightloss are only since April.

You don't think that perhaps the scans missed something like Hodgkin's or any tumor do you? I feel so poorly all the time. I guess another type of specialist might be in order.
I would welcome your thoughts.....hope all is well with you.

[patsy10]

What about lyme disease?  I have the flushing and rapid heart rate all the time.  I thought it was menopause coming but all my hormones are completely normal.  Lyme is endemic in NJ and often missed.  Testing is not reliable.  Have you had any weird rashes or tick bites?

[VaBreeze]

Are you possible experiencing peri-menopause?  The flushing sounds like a menopausal symptom, not fibro one.  Do you experience panic attacks?  

Certainly fibromyalgia can cause the other symptoms you mention. It sounds like all of the other testing you've had doesn't bring any more serious forms of illness, so that's a good thing. I feel that you would do well speaking with a rheumatologist, as they have more knowledge of fibro and it's diagnosis.  

God bless and keep you.