fibromyalgia numbness and tingling

[kwag]

Hi. Thank you for taking my question.  I am 38 yo female.  I have been very active all of my life.  I jogged (til 1999) 2-6miles a day (most everyday), and I attended exercise classes about 3 times a week.  I felt good.  In 1999, my health went down.  I have always (since I can remember) had muslce twitches.  In 99 I began to have very sore and knotted areas in my muscles.  I was told by an ortho that I probably had fibro.  I did no testing because I could still function in normal life but I had to stop jogging because of severe pain on my inner ankles (post-tibial tendonitis).  My right nevicular bone fractured and it feels better(not treated for the fx).  My left one is still very painful but not all the time.  I now have more S/S of fibro:  some fatigue, most every tener spot, IBS (dx as Chronn's in 2000), dry eyes, weird skin sensations and numbness and tingling in the bottom of my feet.  That brings me to now.  The numbness and weird tingling is trying to drive me crazy.  It came on my left foot, then leg and sometimes right foot.  Then it showed up on my left arm and the left side of my face 2 1/2 months ago. My GP ordered and MRI with and without:normal.  Did labs of CBC, CHEM 7, thyroid, lupus , not sure what else: all normal.  I saw a neuro last week.  Did exam:normal.  Says does not look like MS or other problem and to come back if worse or lose fx.  So, What can I do to relieve this numbness?  I do stretches(yoga) just about every morning and some pilates for strength.  I take whole food supplements, no caffiene, very little sugar. HELP....KARMEN

[LiaLinda]

Hi, I have FMS as well.  Not only B-vitamins, but "Omega 3's" help with the brain fog / farts.

As for exercise with FMS, I used to bike for an hour and a half every day, and it didn't prevent me from getting fibro, so I have to ask how on earth it's expected to cure me.  Although it's a "point to ponder", I do have to say that exercise is beneficial - we are going to hurt anyway, so may as well have strong muscles that hurt instead of weak ones.

Hope you have a pain-free day!

[Quantum1]

I would certainly call the pain variable. And while there are activities that are sure to make it worse, at other times it may decide to flare up even without a known stimulus. As you know from experience, at its most severe the pain is a major distraction and hindrance to normal activities.

I find that I feel better when I am warm enough, as opposed to when I am chilled. But extra heat in the form of a heat pack or hot water bottle doesn't seem to help (me, at least).

You may have noticed that regular anti-inflammatories (either over-the-counter or a prescription like Celebrex) don't do much for the severe pain that makes you limp. That's a clue that it isn't true tendonitis, like tennis elbow or something. Medication for nerve pain should be more effective.

I hope whatever treatment you choose works well for you!

[kwag]

Let me ask you this... Did your knee feel really stiff and painful sometimes and then others not so ???  My ankle can feel pretty calm (I still baby it by not using much range of motion with it) and then I sit down or something and go to walk and it hurts so bad that I have to limp to get anywhere.  Then after a period of time(varies), I can walk with only sl. pain.  Sound familiar???  Also the hip on that side is so tight and less flexible.  Did heat help you?  I'm looking into meds.  thanks

[Quantum1]

You might consider waiting on the surgery until you try the Elavil or Neurontin for a while (a year, say). Calming the nerve symptoms actually relieves some of the stiffness over a long time. I walked with a very stiff knee for 2 years due to severe tendon/muscle pain that might be like your ankle situation. This made my hip tight also, and began to reshape the bones.

With the Neurontin (1 year), continued exercise, and a healthy diet, I have gradually gained range of motion in that knee and have started to be able to strenthen some of the muscles that weren't used for a long time. I'm not totally symmetric in terms of flexibility and function, but it's a lot better.

Studies have shown that fibro patients have more pain and for longer duration after surgery. It may not be easy to rehabilitate. I had arthroscopic knee surgery before we knew I had fibro, and it was a much bigger deal for me than for most young athletes. In fact, it would have been preferable not to have it.

But you are not me! It might be different for you. I just wanted to share what I know from experience. As for your attainable level of activity... everything with fibro is "until further notice." Maybe, maybe not. Enjoy each day!

[kwag]

Thanks for the info.  I have met others with fibro that take Elavil at night and they say it helps.  Will look into it.  I hate to hear that you have had to modify your exercise so much.  I keep hoping to run/jog again.  I loved to go on a run and I miss that so much.  The pain on my inside left ankle (dx as post-tibial tendonitis by ortho) is so bad even when I try to walk.  I walk with a stiff ankle to relieve the pain.  I'm considering surgery on it now.  The modifications in my gait are hurting my knee and hip so I have to do something.  Sending healing prayers your way.  God Bless

[kwag]

Hello, hope you're feeling well today.  I got on some more sites and read alot about B-12 (and its different forms).  Lots of people with fibromyalgia report numbness and tingling like feelings and I saw where the B vitamins have helped them.  I used to take alot of vitamins but as I began other programs I limitted what I took so that my clinical picture was more clear.  I also read where most people have a normal blood level of B-12 and folate but the vitamin, whether oral, or sl or inj.  really helped.  I knda figured whether my levels were normal or abnormal, the B-12 couldn't hurt since it's water sol.  Anyhow, I had called my gp about 3 weeks ago for a lyme test and I have never heard back.  Just wanted to get a jump on healing.  I understand your point.  When my gp schedules me, I'll hold off on all my vit. before I go.  I believe you hit the nail on the head with the B-12 problem.  Thanks!!!!!!!