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Herniated Disc or Fibro Symptoms?

Hello all...This is my first posting;I just found this site. I was diagnosed with Fibro about 5 years ago and have all the classic symptoms. About 6 months ago, I found out I have a L4-5 herniated with some spinal stenosis. Tried PT, Exercises, Vicodin, etc. with no improvement. For the last 3 weeks, I have been having numbness in my feet and legs, leg pain especially deep in the top of my left thigh, difficulty walking due to pain and weakness in hips and legs.  I have been doing a lot of research and still can't decide whether it is the fibro or my disc problems. I am scheduled to see a neurologist for the disc in April and can't get in sooner.  Anyone have similar situation with symptoms and both diagnoses?  
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Avatar universal
Yes, I have severe memory problems. I have to make lists for my lists. I have to always think about what it is that I am doing and where I am going. I feel like I have the beginning stages of dimentia. My grandmother had it and it was not a fun thing to go thru when she couldn't even remember me. Of course I can remember my family I just sometimes can't recall the names of things. Very strange disease.
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I am 30 yrs old been dx with fibro 4 yrs and found out I have a herniated disk I tried cyro it didnt help nerontin lyrica cymbalta all 3 didnt help i am having severe pain i cant stand straight it hurts does anyone have any suggestions  I hate being in so much pain
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Avatar universal
I am 30 yrs old been dx with fibro 4 yrs ibs 7 yrs  and my sever back pain  is constant. I cant stand straight it hurts way to much just found out I have a herniated disk I tried cyro it didnt help nerontin lyrica cymbalta all 3 didnt help. What can I do
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i am 40 yrs old- fell on 3-16-08 - was diagnosed with an effusion of the left knee, L4-5 herniation with neural foraminal narrowing and also had a nerve conduction study that shows permanent nerve damage to the l knee and back.  i have gone to a chiropractor for 2 mths and have gotten no relief only symptoms have worsened now have tingling in buttock, shooting pains in tops of feet mostly the right and constant low back pain, stiffness and tingling.  i also saw a spine surgeon who basically says rest, do special exercises and gave me a special pillow and muscle relaxants if not better in 2 mths then will operate! i would love to talk to someone that has similar complaints- this has really put a burden on my life , job and marriage...................
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I too have sufferred many of the symptoms all of you have, including the chronic fatique. What has helped me within the past two years, have been the herbs that I am taking.  They are L-proline and Lyposine capsules, it comes combined in one capsule.  I take the maximum allowed according to the directions.  I found that if I miss taking them, my symptoms come right back.  I don't take any other medications.  When I started I discontinued ibuprophen and other pain relievers that I would take when needed.  I truly feel that without these herbs, I would not be able to function in my daily activities. However, you have to be very careful with mixing herbs with medication. My  doctor has my information, and is happy that this is helping me. Check with your doctor first, before starting any herbal program. I hope this information will be helpful to you.  
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My name is Leslie, and I'm 38 years old.

I was Dx'd in 1999 with Fibromyalgia after 7 VERY long years of being subjected to every test known to man it seems.  Before that it was IBS in 1992, and Migraines in 1990

In 2003, my Dr. sent me to the neurologist for an MRI suspecting that MS might be playing a factor in ongoing issues as well.  The MRI came back negative at that time for brain lesions, but revealed a herniated bulge in my C5-7.  It was also in 2003 shortly after my MRI, that my doctor of many years retired due to medical issues of his own.  That same year I moved from the area I was living in on the east coast and now reside in NW Arkansas.

To date, no medications have helped and over the years its been an onslaught of them.  There are a couple which help take an edge off the extreme pain, but nothing relieves me enough to where I feel "well".  I am now almost 8 years into officially living with Fibromyalgia.  I fight my body so as not to have to use my cane.  I've been reduced to wheelchairs at times in the past and this is not an option for me.

Two years ago at age 36, I was diagnosed with Diabetes Type II and last year with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease with erosion to my esophagus and duodenum.

I've experienced "tremors" and "spasms" for years now, but only until recently has it effected anything more than my arms, legs and back areas and eye tics.  In the last couple months however, I've begun having lower facial spasms around my left cheek and mouth area.  Also, being able to walk is becoming more and more of a challenge again.

This concerns my husband I think more than it does me.  We're tired of "Doctor Shopping" and we're tired of hearing doctors say - "it's no big deal!"  This is effecting me greatly and while I've always been an optimistic person, it's starting to take a toll.  I experience slamming weakness, dizziness, and to make it from the bedroom to the kitchen is a chore not to mention having to move around at work.  Gratefully I have a desk job but at the same time, I still have to move around to accomplish different tasks.

I'm finally feeling like I'm at wits end.  Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
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Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with Fibro about 4 years ago.  I have also been going to an upper cervical chiropractor for alignment for about 3 years.  I have IBS and fatigue which makes my quality of life really bad.  After I go to the chiropractor I usually feel good for awhile, but lately I haven't seen much change.  All I want to do is lay down and sleep, and that bothers me because my mind wants to do, but my body doesn't.  Anyway, have you seen a chiropractor and if so, has it helped?  What kind of chiropractor have you seen?  What meds are you taking?  I am taking 1600 mg of ibuprophen a day.  That seems to help, but I am worried about my stomach, kidney and liver damage.  I am also on anti-depressants and high blood pressure medicine.  If you do go to a chiropractor, does it do any good and how long have you been going?  How often do you go?  As you can tell, I am wondering about continuing with my chiropractor.....
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Avatar universal
I just moved here from OKC to Ca. I have been on several pain meds and neurotin, antidepressants and you name it. I fell at work 9 years ago and I had 7 spinal disc surgeries. I moved to Ca for the weather. The dampness and mold in Ok was making me more ill. I seen a doctor here that I thought was really stange. Believe it, when she came into the exam room I was waiting in, 2 cocker spaniels dogs followered her in.. OMG I hve been in such sever pain and so tired in the past that none of my meds were working. I was on oxycotin, loratabs, neurotin, blood pressure meds, prozac and trazodone, and propanol. This doc thought I came in for strong pain meds. I told her I just want something to stop this pain or ease it.. She perscribed me LYRICA 75 MG TWICE A DAY, AND CYMBALTA, 1 A DAY.sHE TOLD ME TO STOP ALL OF THE MEDS i WAS ON IMMEDIATELY! That scared me so I did what she told me to do. I got the meds filled. this is my second day off my drugs of 9 years.
Believe it or not its helping me. Being such a strange doctor, I never in my life after all the surgeons and doctors involved, have I ever been treated like I was treated by this new doctor. I really feel a difference on those 2 meds. Also they are covered by the best perscription drug coverage that I have which is Community care. Wow So I will see how I feel later. Also I quit smoking. I just lost the desire to smoke. I know smoking is bad but at my high pain levels I had I felt it eased my pain.
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Avatar universal
I have herniated discs in my neck, have had Fibro for 5 years now. I have the same numbness and tingling problems along with IBS, brain fog, the list goes on and on.
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Yes, I do have all of those other symptoms of Fibro you listed.

I dont have "crahsing" fatigue...but my body feels very fatigued constantly.  I also feel like I never get enough sleep...usually because I dont.  But even when I do manage to sleep, Im very tired.

I basically cannot manage to sleep even a semi-normal night without sleep aids.  I hate relying on them.  Sometimes I feel like Im a zombie.

I do have memory problems...well "fibrofog".  I cannot remember the simplest things such as peoples names.  Sometimes I cannot form a simple sentence.  This bothers me because I was very smart academically while I was in school.

Unfortunatly Fibro is one complicated beast...it effects your body and your brain.
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Avatar universal
My story is similar except the herniated disk was in my neck.  I had sudden numbness, tinging, leg weakness etc.....Doctors said it was the disk compressing my spinal cord.  I had surgery got worse with all sorts of symptoms...numbness, tingling, trouble walking, twitching, muscle pain.  The symptoms are all over.  I have severe neck pain that radiates into my arms and down into my upper back and scapula.  I have hip pain, sciatica pain (normal lumbar MRI).  I've been checked for MS numerous times-negative. My cervical spine fusion MRI looks good.  My spine surgery was 18 months ago. The doctors have diagnosed me with fibro?????
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Avatar universal
Hi. I have fibro and herniated discs L3-4 and 4-5 with slight stenosis plus DDD everywhere including cervical and thoracic spine. I have pain everywhere,  shoulders, neck, thoracic spine, low back, calf muscle pain, ankle pain, knee pain, hip pain, sciatic pains running down from my butt to leg on the right side.That pain is worse when I sit or turn over in bed.
Thats the pain part. Do you have the other fun symptoms of fibro. The crashing fatigue, sleep disorder and brain fog and memory problems?
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Surprisingly, I don't have the fatigue or memory problems.  Just the other stuff.  I do have sleep problems.
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Avatar universal
I was diagnosed with Fibro over 6 years ago and I found out I also have herniated discs L4-5 also.  Mine are pinching off my sciatic nerve.  I  get the same symptoms you describe every so often when I aggrevate my lower back.

My pain goes down the back of my leg...the thigh, calf then turns in when it gets toward the foot.  But the pain is in my lower back and it also seems to be in my hip where my leg goes into my hip.  Like yours, it hurts when i walk.  I physically have to rotate my hip because I cannot lift my leg and put it in front of me to take a step.  I also get the numbness...sometimes with the pain, sometimes without.

I know my Sciatica (which is caused by the herniated discs) is unrelated to my fibromyalgia pain, eventhough I have pain and numbness in my legs due to the Fibro also.

Hope I didnt confuse you.
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