Fibromyalgia Support Group

Over three years ago I was injured and as a result suffer from nerve pain in my thoracic spine and chest wall. As if that were not enough fun, beginning in January I suddenly starting having pain in both hips. Within a few months the pain was in both ankles, wrists and elbows. This pain is tender to the touch.

Due to the pain in my chest and mid-back I have been receiving treatment from a pain specialist for years now. So far I have had the standard testing done for the "new" pain. Including blood work for RA, lupus and etc. I have also had a bone scan of my hips. Everything was normal. My doctor has been treating me with standard Fibro meds, Lyrica and Cymbalta. The pain in my elbows and wrists have dramatically subsided since then. The pain in my hips and ankles vary in intensity.

Three weeks ago new symptoms began. First, the area just behind my ankle bone became so painful I could barely walk. I went to my primary doc and he diagnosed it as tendinitis and said it is not related to Fibro...What?? He told me I must wear a walking cast for two weeks. It is not helping. In the last week I started having pain in the back of my neck and headaches. And now I am having pain in the top of my hand. I really thought I just slept wrong with my neck and then again with my hand, but the pain continues. Does this sound like a flareup?? So many areas hurt and these headaches are bad.

I know I am throwing alot of info out there. I am quite confused at this point. I am unable to see a Rheumatologist at this point due to my insurance.I have read fibro can be triggered by trauma to the mid-back and ongoing stress. I have the history of both. I would appreciate to hear what any of you think about my symptoms. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Sincerely,

Carrie

Welcome... I am so sorry you are in so much pain and like so many of us have to live with it most of the time. Sounds like you are indeed in a flare. The headache sounds like what's called a tension headache. I used to get those. I don't so much anymore. Cause I get Migraine instead. Now I have bigger problems because I have Sjogren's Syndrome on top of the FMS.

Anyway, The rest of what you describe sounds like ligament pain to me though i am not an MD However, you and you are talking to someone that knows this from lots of experience. You need to rest the extremity. I pulled a ligament in my side once. Thought I had kidney stones or something. The pain went from my front to my back side was excruciating pain. There was nothing the doc could do but give me pain meds and tell me to rest.

As frustrating as FMS is the important thing for you to remember is to pace yourself. I should talk. I am really bad at that. I am always on the go and I work full time. But if you don't you will pay for it later. My father has FMS and found great relief with the Lyrica. Most of his FM pain is gone. So maybe they just need to get that more regulated for you. My doctors won't prescribe Lyrica for to me for other reasons. Good luck and I hope you get rest and feel better soon. Oh also the weather will reek havoc on you as well I am in a a lot of pain because it is getting colder and it rained yesterday. -April

Welcome to our group~~~ We re glad you found us but sorry you suffer the same pains as the rest of us.

Did your drs. do the trigger point test on you ?Wrists, ankles and elbows (and, in my case,shoulders and neck area) are all common trigger points for Fibro.

Before I was officially dx d with Fibro, I numerous times complained of my left elbow and like you, always they said tendonitis. Not !!!

Worst than that tho' were the painful neck and shoulders that caused the headaches. My first visit to the Rhuemy, he injected Lidocaine and DayPro40 (2 on each side of my neck between shoulders and neck.) He said I could have them as often as 2 weeks apart but I haven t had any since May '08, however ~~~ When I see him this coming Wednesday, I m better he ll inject again as the pain in my neck even makes my ears hurt.

I truly believe that my Fibro was brought on by ongoing severe and constant stress . I am very slowly trying to learn to control that but it certainly is not easy.

Stick around with this group and you will recieve a lot of support and make many new friends. We re all one big family here ~~~

Marilyn

I'm glad you found us but sorry you're suffering so. This is a great group, full of very kind and supportive people. I hope you find some relief here.

I was under a whole lot of stress when I was dx'd too. I agree that those sound like tension headaches, something else I suffer from ... I tend to wear my stress in my shoulders and neck, find my shoulders up by my ears when I'm stressing. Muscle relaxers can really help, I hope your doc has prescribed some.

Stress definitely brings on flares and you sure sound like you're flaring now. Finding ways to manage stress is incredibly important. I take small doses of klonopin and try to practice some deep breathing. When the weather allows, I try to take short walks just to get the blood moving and some fresh air in my lungs. One of the nicest stress prescriptions I've had was from my mental health counselor who said I needed a pet! So now I'm the proud servant to a very bossy but incredibly sweet 3 year old Maine Coon cat who has been certified as my service animal He's a great stress reliever LOL...

I hope you enjoy this group as much as I have. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me or any of the group leaders or members.

Again welcome!

blessings

Are you taking

I agree with the others that it sounds like you could be in a flare. I would call your doctor though and report your new and or worsening symptoms. Don't be afraid to keep your doctor updated, you're not being a pain, he can't help if he doesn't know.

Let us know if we can help you out with anything, we always try to be here for one another. Just keep in mind that weekends tend to be a little slower.

This neck/head pain has been a killer all weekend. The muscles are painful to the touch on either side of my spine on my upper neck. The headache is in the front of my head and even into my ears. I have never had anything like this before and I am on day five. This morning the pain was so severe I thought about calling the doctor on call. I will wait until the morning. I will feel better to know it is part of the fibromyalgia and not something serious.

Thanks for listening!

have you ever pulled the stratus muscel in your neck? my husband did last year and it sounds simular to what you described, also sadly I have an unknown problem with my neck that causes the same.

Its so hard to tell what ccauses what..

Im glad you found us and hope you find the new family