Muscle and Joint Pain- Could this be Fibromyalgia?

[brooke131]

I'm a 22 year old female, who for the past 3 months has been having various health problems.  In June of this year I kept getting bladder infections and was eventually told by a urologist that I had interstitial cystitis.  The urologist put me on a lot of medication and nothing seemed to help.  In July I started to develop serious joint pain in my knees, fingers, ankles, and elbows.  By August the pain continued to spread into my muscles and more joints.  Now, I'm having pain in my shoulder and even in my jaw which continues to lock up.  Occassionally I'll have very brief tinglining in my hands or feet or numbness in my pinky finger which is followed by more pain.  The tingling/numbness lasts for only a few seconds or minutes.  The pain continually moves around my body and I've experienced it regularly in both arms, both legs, back, and neck although it tends to favor my right side.  I've also noticed that some of my muscles have started twitching slightly- my eyelid and some muscles in my legs.  It's not painful or noticable to anyone watching- just very frightening. I've also started getting some rashes on my face and upper chest that will be there for a few hours and then go away as quickly as they appeared.

The pain seems the worst in the mornings when I get out of bed and I almost seem stiff- making getting ready for work difficult.  The stiffness seems to ease up throughout the day but will flare up again at night around 7:00.  Changes in temperature or weather also seem to make the symptoms worse.  

I've never had any health problems before and nothing like this has ever happened to anyone in my family.  I was absolutely terrified that I might have ms, but my doctor thinks that that is unlikely.  Could this be Fibromyalgia?  He's currently running blood tests, but can't find any inflammation- however he says that inflammation may take awhile to show up.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what this might be?  I'm really frightened and would be grateful for any help!  Thank you!

[brooke131]

Hi all,

Thank you so much for your feedback.  All of your help is greatly appreciated!  To answer some questions:

I did have the bladder issues (cystitis) before the tick bite, but the muscle and joint pain came after I was bitten by the tick.

I also have a question: what is the difference between fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis?  My doctor said he doesn't think it was a possibility, but I'm still worried.

Also, does your fibromyalgia favor certain areas of your body at times?  It seems to be worse on my right side, but I've felt pain all over.  Could this be because I use the right side more?

[patsy10]

Actually it's a false negative result.  You can have severe lyme disease and test negative.  The testing is not very reliable. I would recommend you see a doctor who specializes in lyme disease.   If you have it, and you very well could with your history of tick bite, it's treatable.  It could save you a lifetime of misdiagnosis and misery.

Did you have symptoms before the tick bite?

[karen717]

I forgot to say that Patsy has a good point with the lyme disease. Often people with lyme disease will have a false positive result. You may want to research this and read up on it. Have you been tested more than once?
Karen

[karen717]

Doctors must rule out lots of other things before diagnosing fibro. Get ready for a lot of tests to come back negative. Don't get frustrated. It takes time. Fibro characteristically affects different parts of the body. It does move around (the pain). If you have fibro, you will have had pain all four quadrants of the body (upper, lower, right, and left) for at least 6 months. You may notice a feeling of swelling in the hands and feet, but there will not actually be any inflammation. Muscle twitching is part of fibro as well. Sleep disorders cause your morning feelings. REM sleep is restorative sleep. Fibro patients don't stay in REM sleep long enough for the oxygen to replenish and restore in the muscles, so they feel the same or worse than when you went to bed. The rashes, as far as I know, are not a characteristic of fibro. This may be a separate issue. I have researched a lot about this condition b/c I've had it for 9+yrs now. Sharon is right about self education. This is a key part. The more you know, the better off you are. Sometimes, you will feel as if you know more about it than the doctors you see. If you are educated about the condition, you are better able to discuss treatment with your doctor. Meds will help treat symptoms, but unfortunately, there is no cure. You came to a good place. If you need to talk, vent, or have questions, let us know. Good luck and keep us posted.
Karen

[brooke131]

Hi Patsy,

They actually thought it might be Lyme disease because I was bitten by a tick over the 4th of July weekend.  However, the test came back negative.  I'm just at a complete loss at what to do and am really concerned.

[patsy10]

definitely get checked for lyme disease.  Do you live in an endemic area?  Have you had any strange rashes?

[idesofmarch]

get checked for Lyme disease, Lupus and all that the doctors think it could be.  When everything comes back normal you will probably get a fibromyalgia dianosis.  A RA doctor is the one to see for the diagnosis and future treatments.  You must see the doctor atleast every 3 months after a good treatment system has been found.  Treatment of symptoms and self education is about all you can do. See a councelor for the depression that will come also. Good luck, hope all comes out well. Sharon