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cindymae

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I have been feeling that I have Fibro for a while now. I have recently gotten insurance and started seeing a family doctor. She done a huge blood work up on my a few weeks ago and everything was really good except I was like 2 points low on my Vitamin D and my liver panel was a bit off probably due to the amount of Tylenol and stuff that I take trying to get relief.

She set me up for a sleep study test and an MRI. I have already had X-rays on my back and they show some signs of arthritis. So now going for MRI to make sure I do not have something going on with my spine.

So, here is a list of my symptoms.

`Pain in my neck, shoulders, upper and lower back (going on for years but been getting much worse in the last several months)
`Tingling and numbness in my neck and upper back and shoulders (been getting really bad in the last several months)
`Numbness and tingling in my lower arms, wrists and hands (been going on for a couple years)
`Pain in my hands. My hands start hurting when holding hands with my husband and our fingers are interlocked after just a minute or two or after writing or using scissors. (going on for many years)
`Tingling and numbness in my lower legs and feet (been happening for several months)
`Pain in my feet and calves, especially when I walk much, like half way through Wal-Mart (been happening for several months)
`Fatigue, I never feel rested even after sleeping all night – I always feel so tired and worn out. (been going on for probably 6 months)
`Headaches (as long as I can remember but much more frequent in the last couple months)
`Irritable bowel syndrome (couple years)
`Anxiety (as longs as I can remember)
`Morning stiffness and stiffness after being in one position for just a bit (several years but has gotten really bad in the last several months)
`Very tender on my upper arms and my rib cage. When my hubby or kids poke me when we are playing around it hurts like crazy and the pain just lingers on (a couple years but has gotten really bad in the last several months)
`Needing to urinate frequently (Last several months)
`Feeling of not being able to relax my muscles (as long as I can remember)
`Lightheadedness/dizziness (several years but has been getting really bad in the last several months)
`Acne (gotten much worse in the last year, way worse than when I was going through puberty)
`My arms and shoulders get very tired when doing things such as folding laundry (many years)
`Chronic dry hands (4 years)
`Chest Pain that deep breaths make is worse (been going on about a month)
`Racing heart at times (been going on about a month)
`Lots of pain in my sides and back when sleeping, no matter what bed I am using (much worse in the last year)
`Feel like my glasses are going to squeeze my head off (last couple months)
`GERD (last several months – Taking 2 Omeprazole daily)
`Sensitive breast at times (last couple months)
`No sex drive (last couple years)
`Irritated by more than one noise at a time such as music and people talking (years but getting much worse)

If the MRI doesn't really show anything, then she said she would probably send me to a doctor who deals with Fribro. I know that some of my problems could be due to something in my spine, but I just don't think that all of these symptoms could be that.

So, what do you think?
 
cindymae,
Well with all that testing if nothing else shows up it is a good chance that fibro may be the answer. I have experienced at different times most all of what is on your list. Fibro can cause a bunch of different symptoms that minic other conditions like MS. But when all the tests are normal then fibro is sometimes the only answer left. Fibro is considered to be an arthritis condition and is usually diagnosised be a Rheumatologist.

Anyways please take the time to read the posts on this site to give you some ideas on coping skills in dealing with pain and fatigue, mental depression and check out the alternative methods as well. Read back posts as well as, the newer ones as each member here has offered up lots of ways they deal with the health problems caused by fibro.

What makes this forum special is the way our members care about everyone else. We are supportive and understand what you are going through, mainly because we are in this together and each must find their own path to move forward. Continue to post questions and we will help you through the rough spots in dealing with your illness. :)
 
Your very welcome! Hope you have a good day!
 
cindymae, yeah had a good number of those problems myself. I hope today finds you happy and well.
 
Well I received the results from my MRI and was told that I have lumbar spinal canal stenosis. She said there are two spots where I have this. So this explains many of my problems with my lower back pain, leg and maybe even feet problems.

There was nothing found in my neck or upper spine. My biggest complaints at this is the time is the pain, tingling, numbness and burning sensation that I have in my neck, shoulder and upper back.

I am scheduled next week to go in and see a Neurologist and then go from there. I am wondering if I should go ahead and talk to the doctor about getting me into a Rheumatologist to see about the other issues that I know are not caused by the lumbar spinal canal stenosis or should I just wait until I see the back doctor and go from there? Do some Neurologists deal with Fibromyalgia?
 
I would do one doctor at a time. Mainly because you want the doctor to take you seriously and if you crowd to many specialists together, they might think your doctor shopping and not take you seriously. Plus, you might slip up and say "well so and so thinks I might have this or that," and step on your new doctors ego. See what one says and can do for you before geting the appointment for the next choice in doctors.

And yes, some nice neurologists will attempt to treat fibro symptoms, although, most like to stick with their specialties. The treatments are somewhat the same, thou the medications or testing could be somewhat different. When you have spinal problems the disks can put pressure on nerves and this can affect different areas of your body. :)
 
Cindy, just curious here... I read the full list of symptoms you have. Have you gotten your thyroid checked? Ever been to an endocrinologist? The acne bit got me a bit suspicious, that symptom is a highly ''androgenic'' one. You should get a full blood test to check your hormone levels, you should also consider your thyroid. Just in case, many of the symptoms you mentioned might be caused by a thyroid issue.
 
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