Diagnoised without xray, tests?

[Sugie1938]

I was just diagnoised with Fibromyalgia, however, most of my symptoms are the result of a car striking me (pedistrian) eight years ago, and a recent fall. As a result of the car striking me, I had 3 fractures of the pelvic, rib fractures, sturnum fractures, rotor cuff surgery, sicatic, hip and leg pain. I have had recurring pain in those areas since. About 5 months ago, I injured my arm and shoulder helping my 93 yr old Mother out of bed several times a night after she received a pace maker. At the same time I fell over her cat, injuring my arms, elbows, wrist, and knees, in a hard fall. Since then, my  shoulder,arm, wrist are quite painful, and my little finger feels numb. Also I have had numbness in my small toe. I have a place midway down the outside of my left leg that seems to have a tiny bump, and it constantly feels like its on fire.I believe the car struck me there.  I have been told its nerve damage, and have to live with it. I just saw miy primary doctor last week, and he did not send me for any tests or xrays, and said he thought I had Fibromyalgia. I was given percriptions for Meloxicam (Mobic) & Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril). Does this fit the diagnoises of Fibromyalgia, or should I ask for the xrays and other tests? Thanks    

[Sugie1938]

The auto accident which I was a pedistrian was in 2001, and the drivers insurance did pay  for all kinds of tests. I even had accupuncture. I thought that would help but it didn't. I was sent for bio feed back therapy, which helped a little. I still use the breathing technique especially to get to sleep. The case went to court, and I ended settling, after about 3 years. The judge who did the mediating said it was better to as the ins. co. could string it along for 2-3 years more, and by the time I paid the attorney, I would not come out any better. Dealing with the insurance company, and calls to correct problems and so forth, was daily, plus therapy, doctor visits, etc. I live in the rural mountains of Colo. so it was a 2 hour round trip almost daily to see all the doctors,therapy, and for surgery. After I settled my health insurance primary seemed reluctant to do a lot since it was a injury settlement. It has been so emotionaly exausting all these years, that I tried to pretend it was better, but of course it wasn't. When I was only sleeping a few hours at night, and trying to deal with a lot of family stress,my Mom will be 94 this month, and they put a pace maker in, and I was taking care of her when the fall happened, and tripping over the cat. These new injuries added to all the old have really been hard to deal with. Anyway, I plan to go email my doctor after the 2 weeks are up on the medication, and see what my options are. Thanks for sharing your problems, as some are similar, and some are so much worse than mine. Take care,

[Monkey1mill]

Don't know about the rest, hard to tell. Check with neurologist for arm pain and numbness in little finger. Told my dr little finger went numb first and then ring finger. He asked if I had pain in arm. I told him of course I have fibro. He did nerve test and my ulnar nerve was opinched in elboe . Had to have surgery. Still hurts but he said nerve regenerates about 1 inch a year. Numbness is prob perm

[kiddthekatt]

My primary did the same thing, and then he sent me to a Rheumy who in turn ran blood work of his own. I was tested for everything that he could think of, not once but several times. Have a good day.

gentle hugs to you
Angel

[WannaKnow256]

My "letter" was to you, see above...

All the tests done by my Primary were based on sympotoms: fatigue... many blood tests, pain, more blood tests to find out if anything was being destroyed etc.

I had friends who used HMO's and simply could not get any tests done; they ventured off to find a "More Private" Primary... not part of a major organization.  People who are very ill sometimes find better help that way.

Be Blessed

[WannaKnow256]

Trust the  others advice and please insist that your past injuries are tested via x ray and MRI.  Also, see a Rheumotologist, neurologist, etc. I agree!

You are probably quite eligible for pain management as well due to your newer and older multiple injuries.  My Primary ran through dozens of diagnostic tests before I was diagnosed.  I have to repeat them again, for Disability Retirement.. not quite old enough for regular retirement.

  I had a neck injury previously that I am still being treated for since 2003 and still need these treatments of pain management and physical therapy.  PSS  Fibro doesn't stop with pain management, either,  It's a completely different animal in my case..  And wala, I also have the sleep apnea that usually accompanies it.

Would your car insurance pay.. bet they will try not to!  Heads up!  I truly am sympathetic, chronic pain changes everyone's everything.  

Hugs, only to the extent tolerable :)

WannaKnow256

[kiddthekatt]

  You are more than welcome. After having the 3rd surgery on my knee, a revision from a partial to a total replacement I also had sciatica(sp) down my right leg. At the time, my pain doc took me in twice for lumbar injections, which did help but didn't last more than a few days both times.

   If I were you I would call my primary back and tell him about the pain that you are still having and request that he take xrays. Tell him that the meds are not working and that you need something else. You can also ask him for a referral to a Rheumy. These guys are working for you. If the treatment isn't working, tell them. I hope you start feeling better. We all know how aggravating it is to hurt and not know why. Take care.

gentle hugs
Angel

[Sugie1938]

Thanks for the advise and thoughts. Sorry you are both feeling the same thing. I have researched the Fibro and some of it does fit the symptoms. I am just concerned I may have fractured my arm, wrist, annd knees in the fall a few months ago, as its never gotten much better. I am sure fractures would have healed by now, and perhaps any pulled muscles also. The doctors tell me the tiny bump on my leg that burns constantly, is probably a nerve that is damaged. Couldn't they give me a cortizone shot or something to see if that gave me some relief? Also I have had the siatic pain in my hip for several years, and it seems like a shot there could help. I have talked to a couple people who had that done and got relief. I just feel like they should at least try some things before giving up, and saying it's Fibro. Thanks for your help and support, it's good to hear how others have delt with it.  

[VaBreeze]

Lol...it seems we all suffer with 'typonese'...wonder if that is a symptom?  Feel better soon Angel.

[kiddthekatt]

~~~sigh~~~

  I'm not even going to try and correct my typos, I am having a horrid time with the cold and I'm hiding under my covers. It's a good thing that we can all read typonese.

gh
me

[VaBreeze]

I'm so sorry you've had all of these injuries and pain.  I also live with constant nerve damage, so I can relate somewhat to what you are experiencing.  What you have been through could certainly set off the FMS, however, with all of the neurological symptoms you are having and the nature of your injuries, you may benefit from seeing a neurologist...just to make sure there is nothing more serious going on.  They can also check on the 'bump' you speak of and insure that it was due to your previous accident.

Please take care.

[kiddthekatt]

Hi;
   It's ahrd to say, I think Fibro comes in many different ways. I know that it effects us all differently. Some say that Fibro is caused from trauma, viral infections, baterial infections, etc. As for xrays, they can't DX Fibro with rays. My Rheumy did the 18 point trigger test on me and found 16 of the 18. I think I have been suffering from Fibro for many years, but it only raered its ugly head after I recieved mutiple knee surgeries too close together. I hope this helps a little.

gentle hugs
Angel