mysterious spasms atropthy

[jude23]

Desperate for answers. Started 11 months ago. Kept hurting myself ie.(sprained ankle, lower back injury from reaching, upper back pain by putting on shirt). Then pain began by doing nothing, just waking up one day with severe spasms in shouler blades, chest muscles etc. Physical therapy helped a little, but every time we added something new, more pain, spasms and would have to stop for weeks. Been in er and urgent care more that I can count. All test negative( xrays blood tests ultrasound). Now my back is so hunched over, can barely walk or sit for that matter. Sleep sitting up on pillows.Have no problem sleeping or falling asleep with no pain as long as I do not move. A brief history...for the past 5 years I have been taking care of elderly sick parents who depended on me for everything. Have not worked, lost touch with friends and have been a loner. I had severe tmj 3 years ago which lasted over 2 years in which I lost consideable amount of weight...down to 80 lbs at 5'3. First was thought all my problems were related to the low weight, but all labs look good(protein,magnesium etc.) Doctors baffled. Have been putting on weight but am getting worse. now severe atropthy from not moving. cannot get my arms to go above my shoulders, lifting a glass of water is excruitiating, legs feel like big weights I can no longer drive because my arms cannot reach and are to weak to reach steering wheel..Started having anxiety and panic attacks which makes tightness worse. I am so stiff across my chest and upper back. Haven't been to pt in 2 months. meds dont seem to help.was put on cymbalta with ultram but pharmacy would not fill because on interaction. motrin,tylenol do nothing nor do skelaxin, or robaxin. Cannot stand the stiffness pain and anxiety. I know this all sounds crazy...but i am at my wits end!!! Any help or suggestions??? Injections to get me through pt? best pill for anxiety,pain? Was given valium for spasms, does not help for that, but does calm me slightly. Ultram takes edge off. Could anxiety and stress cause all of this, to the point of becoming an invalid? One year ago I was an active functioning inividual who walked or worked out everyday. I admit I never had any muscle tone even before all of this....did it all just catch up to me???? Any help greatly appreciated! I want my life back!!!

[jude23]

Thank you for your response. Been back to doctor. Still everything negative. No nuero. symptoms, and no fatigue. Doctor wants to break the pain cycle with cymbalta 20 mgs a day with valium 2.5 until cymbalta kicks in, Then start back upwith physical therapy in 2 weeks. He also said it is safe to take the ultram with the cymbalta since it is such a low dose. My pharmacist strongly disagrees. I have such anxiety,fear, and panic...even of taking the meds. Tried  the cymbalta the other day, made me extremely nauseus,chills and felt like I had the flu. So I stopped it. In your opinion would i be better off with the ultram and valium along with physical therapy, or the cymbalta with valium. I hate taking pills, and the withdrawal from cymbalta looks like a nightmare!!
also I am going to start to see a therapist...hopefully that will help. Just in terrible cycle of pain..anxiety..no movement..more pain etc..... Thanks for your insight.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi

Thanks for the detailed post.

I read through your post carefully. You probably need to check out Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Myesthenia Gravis. All these cause muscle pain and spasm.

I think you should discuss these possibilities with your doctor. It is difficult to comment beyond this without examining. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!