Typical Fibro symtoms??

[chippi1]

Hi, I'm new here and am hoping those of you living w Fibro out there can help me on this. I was diagnosed w Fibro 13 yrs. ago and have made peace w this condition and have been treating it as such since my diagnosis w the Rhuemetologist way back when. I'm accustomed to the muscle pain and stiffness, the fibro fog, the CFS that goes hand in hand w it. So, recently I experienced my second TIA in 16 yrs. and also have been experiencing new symptoms which I have not experienced since my Fibro diagnosis 13 yrs. ago. The new symptoms are: very noticable decrease in cognitive abilities, trouble finding the correct words when speaking, memory and concentration problems, bodywide muscle weakness w complete exertion w smallest activity, days when I literally feel like I am in slow motion, mentally and physical ( to the point where I cannot even have a conversation). I am very troubled by these new symptoms and am not sure that these may be Fibro symptoms or some other Neurological condition is at work here. Had a recent MRI that family doc ordered to take along to initial visit w Neurologist. He believes I may have been misdiagnosed 13 yrs. ago and that I may have MS instead of Fibro. You guys out there live w this daily as I have, are these typical Fibro symptoms that I may not have experienced until now. Does anyone else living w Fibro experience these symptoms also? I would like to thank anyone who responds in advance, I greatly appreciate your input or opinion on this.

[chippi1]

Hi, they call this Fibro Fog, but it feels more like Brain Dead to me, IDK. I'm glad you're going to get it checked out. The coginitive issues and not being able to find the correct words when I'm speaking, besides the memory thing and losing track of what I was saying have caused me to isolate and have terrible social anxiety. I don't enjoy being around people as much because I end up feeling like an idiot when I have these problems, so I just don't anymore. I have an appointment with a Neuropsychologist for cognitive testing in a few weeks and am hoping they can offer some answers for these things happening. I also have an appointment in a few weeks with a Rhuemetologist. I haven't seen one since I was diagnosed with Fibro 13 yrs. ago and haven't had a change of meds since then, so I'm hoping he can offer something that will help. There are a few new Fibro meds out there I've noticed. I wish you the best of luck with everything, keep me informed. Blessings

[stevesgurl1970]

hi,i was diagnosed with fibro just over ayear ago..i myself have been experiencing  slight memory probs..like if im in mid converse and sumone interupts me i forget wat i was talking about..and i forget the easiest of things..im also forgetting my left from my right..so i find myself having panic attacks when meeting people..scared that im gunna forget wat im talking about...i havnt seen my doc about this..but i think i will now thanks to your post..thanx...be well ;0)

[chippi1]

Thank you and yes I am going to do all I can to address this. I have an appt. on Mon. 26'th w the Neurologist. I have my list of symptoms and copies and reports from brain MRI's from 2003 until 2 wks. ago. Will post the results from my visit. I hope he has some answers for me. I've been living with what I believed to be Fibromyalgia for the past 13 yrs. and never experienced the things I have been going through the past month or two, especially since the TIA 7 wks. ago. Thanks again

[buriedinfur]

I think that you should push for the testing (or go along with it) for the MS just to be sure - if you do have it then you should be on treatments to slow the progress of it.

I'm a 'weird' fibro patient as well with a lot of symptoms that they can't contribute to the fibro - I have a lot of MS symptoms but test neg for MS. So I live as best as I can, and push for testing when it's appropriate.

[chippi1]

Hi again, I also have recently just begun to experience cognitive problems with the memory, having to stop in the middle of a sentence to extract the correct word from my brain, which is very embarrasing. Also the extreme, debilitating fatigue. I also have IBS which seems to be triggered mainly by stress. Today I'm having a brain-dead day, I literally cannot function mentally or physically and feel like my brain and body are moving through quicksand. Very frustrating it is, I can't live like this, it's ridiculous. I don't suppose I have much of a choice though, but it helps to hear from others as yourself who are living with this insidious condition also. Thanks for sharing and no you are not crazy or if you are you have lots of company, lol.

[lak]

OMGosh, I cannot believe this ... You are me made over.  I have so many other issues I blamed everything on them.  I have had multiple surgeries starting 10 years ago and not that they were not needed but it just seems like no matter what it goes back to same thing.I feel good and go like crazy for a couple days only to have to call in sick or drag the following few.  This had gone on for about 8 years and I did have heart issues but had surgery and meds and that was resolved. They said I had heart virus and it would take three years and I would just not feel well.  Then, I had a 5 way ablation for pre-ventricular contractions that I had been having for 12 years but when they became 30,000 a day they decided to ablate. I had to take early retirement because I was so behind and my brain just did not function right.  Could not say what the word was I was thinking and tired and lethargic all the time.Then serotonin levels were low and acid urine high so they went for carcinoid syndrome indicating stomach cancer. All scans showed no cancer.  Just recently I had surgery for a large tumor on my arm and was thankfully benign.  I was just ready to give up but maybe there is hope!  Thank you I don't want to have this disease but it is better than not knowing what is wrong and people thinking you are lazy or have arthritis and tell you to take a inbuprofen.  I also have IBS which keeps me from going anywhere to eat because I get terrible cramps and end up in restaurants on the bathroom floor and finally have immediate loose bowel movement.... I have an appt with rhuemotolgist August 10th do you think he will be able to help me?

[chippi1]

Wow, some great info. there, the funny thing is I was also diagnosed w CFS yrs. ago but never heard of ME. I'm very familiar w 90% of the above symptoms as I have been experiencing them also for over a decade now. And yes I do overdue it often as is my nature, but then I pay the price, it's like a vicious cycle: feel crappy (nothing gets done) rest, have a good day ( overdue it trying to catch up on undone stuff) which in turn makes me feel crappy again, rest, deal w debilitating fatigue, pain, stiffness, cognitive issues for days, finally have a good day and do it all over again, it's crazy. My first grandchild arrived 6 weeks ago, a beautifull grandson, and after losing the first and falling into a deep yr. 1/2 depression afterwards, he was very anticipated and welcome. Unfortunately, as small as he is, now 11 lbs., he takes a toll on my body when I have him over 1 night/wk. and my arm muscles are stiff and painfull for days after having him from holding, feeding, burping. I would never give up my time w him, but was suprised at the toll it takes on my body :(. Thank you both for your responses and the wonderfull info and advice, I do greatly appreciate it.

[Unicorn_Princess]

Really good advice from Char1otteBrown :) Hope you are ok... I copied and pasted the following from the website- http://fmcfsme.com/faqs-misc.php#m17

What's The Difference Between FM and CFS/ME
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) and Fibromyalgia (FM) are alike in many ways. In fact, it is not uncommon for a person to have both FM and CFS/ME. Some experts believe that FM and CFS/ME are in fact the same disorder, but expressed in slightly different ways. Both CFS/ME and FM have pain and fatigue as symptoms.

CFS/ME often begins after having flu-like symptoms. But people with CFS do not have the tender points that people with FM have. CFS/ME is an illness characterized by prolonged and debilitating fatigue accompanied by a number of other symptoms including:

•Memory and Concentration Problems
•Recurrent Sore Throats
•Unrefreshing Sleep
•Muscle and Joint Pain
•Headaches
To be diagnosed with CFS/ME, a person must have:

•Extreme fatigue for at least 6 months that cannot be explained by medical tests
•Have 4 or more of the following symptoms:
•Forgetting things or having a hard time focusing
•Feeling tired even after sleeping
•Muscle pain or aches
•Pain or aches in joints without swelling or redness
•Feeling discomfort or "out-of-sorts" for more than 24 hours after being active
•Headaches of a new type, pattern, or strength
•Tender lymph nodes in the neck or under the arm
•Sore throat
FM is a malfunction of the central nervous system that causes disordered pain processing, and results in pain amplification. The main symptoms of FM include:

•Widespread Pain
•Fatigue
•Sleep Disorders
Other symptoms that may occur include:

•Chest Pain
•Persistent Headaches, Migraines
•T.M.J. (temporomandibular joint syndrome)
•Mitral Valve Prolapse
•I.B.S. (irritable bowel syndrome)
•Vision Problems
•Urinary Problems
•Acid Reflux
•Allergies
•Dizziness
•Numbness and Tingling
•Sensitivity to cold or heat
•Depression
•R.L.S. (restless legs syndrome)
•Chemical or Environmental Sensitivities
•Impaired Balance or Coordination
•Problems with Memory, Concentration and Cognitive Functioning
While the two illnesses have a number of similarities, they also have some distinct differences.

Similarities

•Reduced Cerebral Blood Flow to the Cortex and Midbrain
•HPA (hypothalamic pituitary axis) Suppression
•Reduced Levels of Serotonin
•Non-restorative Sleep
•Reduced Levels of Growth Hormone
•Evidence of a Genetic Component
Although there are many similarities, there are also significant differences.

Differences
•FM is identified by 18 distinct tender points (designated points on the body that are painful when pressure is applied), while CFS/ME is distinguished by post-exertional malaise (deep fatigue and exhaustion following physical exertion, which lasts more than 24 hours).


•Substance P (a neurotransmitter that sends pain signals) is elevated in FM but not in CFS/ME


•RNaseL (a cellular antiviral enzyme) is frequently elevated in CFS/ME but not in FM


•CFS/ME is often triggered by an infectious or flu-like illness, while FM is usually triggered by a severe physical or emotional trauma (for example, injury, illness, surgery, prolonged stress)

[Char1otteBrown]

I also have Fibro, 4 years ago I started to develop pain and stiffness. Every activity is a stuggle and my body feels like I have just finished a marathon. If I overdo it, like hoovering the whole carpet I feel drained mentally as well. Concentration drops and memory fails. If these symptoms are new to you then I would think that you are overdoing it. Having Fibro for so long and coping with it has tricked you into doing more and more. Take some down time, slow down for a while and see is condition settles. Plan not just your day but your whole week. If I know that I need to do something important on Wed, then Tues and thurs are kept clear to rest. Feel free to ask anything more. Hope i've helped

[chippi1]

Unicorn, Thank you for the response. If you don't mind me asking, what is ME? I appreciate your well wishes and wish you the same. I sure hope this Neurologist has some answers and I don't have to go to 10 doctors and have a million tests before a diagnosis. Blessings

[Unicorn_Princess]

Hello, I saw that nobody had replied, I am sorry I can not give you a clear answer as I am in a similar position but also am confused as to whether ME (my diagnosis) and Fibro are the same :)? I am also pre MRI, fingers crossed my GP will give me 1 this time. Just to say that I wish you all the best in feeling better, having more good days than bad, and finding a specialist who can give you the answers/treatment that you need x