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6 Responses to “Fibromyalgia – Help! – Do you think you have it?”
I took Accutane for a while serveral years. F I know that I thought at the time, but am not sure of any long-term effect directly attributable to this drug. There are too many variables in my case, the use of multiple drugs, Accutane since my days is hard to find the source of my chronic fatigue and mental instability: S
best bet. . . go see a professional. No one can diagnose you just by hearing your symptoms. And with a lot of people, they read symptoms, and dig deep to try to find something even close to it! Good luck.
You need to read “The MindBody Prescription”, by Dr. John Sarno. And get his book on tape “Mind Over Back Pain”. I’m telling you he saved my life.
I had horrible chronic and acute neck/back pain for 15 years. A few weeks after reading his books I was literally pain free. My friend who told me about it was practically yelling at me to get the book. She was bedridden and was nearly free of pain in a couple of days.
You have to open your mind to what he is saying because it sounds far-fetched. The condition is known as TMS, but don’t go researching it without first reading his books.
They were going to do surgery on me THE NEXT WEEK by removing two discs from my neck and fusing the vertibrae. Even my doctors, neurologists, and chiropractors told me it was inevitable. Well, here I am, pain free and able to dance once a week, play basketball. Shoot, I couldn’t even walk without pain in my arms before. Numbness and tingling gone. My arm muscles were measurably smaller.
Also, I was on steroids, percoset, celebrex, ibuprofen (which I’ll never take again for anything less than obvious swelling – inflammation IS your body healing itself), tylenol, skelaxon. You name it. I now take nothing. For a while I took aspirin, but even that is gone.
Do NOT let them cut you up without doing this. Go to Amazon NOW and get the books!!!!
Good luck.
EDIT:
I forgot to mention that I had acid reflux “disease” (known for the past zillion years as heartburn), sleep problems, and Sciatica.
I have had Fibro since I was 16, actually 20 years now. It does sound like you have some of the symptoms. I am also wondering if you may have Rhuematiod Arthritis because of the joint involvement. Your headaches may actually be Cluster Headaches if they continue to reoccur frequently and you have a sharp pain around one eye. My clusters usually sit in the back of my head until a spike hits me in the eye (what it feels like). Also, these conditions can co-exist (you can have them both). I don’t believe I have ever taken Accutane.
Fibromyalgia associated syndromes
It is not unusual for fibromyalgia patients to have an array of bodily complaints other than musculoskeletal pain. It is now thought that these symptoms are a result of the abnormal sensory processing – as described in the previous section. Recognition and treatment of these associated problems are important in the overall management of your fibromyalgia.
1. Chronic fatigue: The common treatable cause of chronic fatigue in fibromyalgia patients are: (1) inappropriate dosing of medications (TCAs, drugs with antihistamine actions, benzodiazapines etc. ), (2) depression, (3) aerobic deconditioning, (3) a primary sleep disorder (e. g. sleep apnea), (4) non-restorative sleep (see above) and (5) neurally mediated hypotension (see below). A new drug called Provigil is of some help when used intermittently for management of fatigue.
2. Restless leg syndrome: This strictly refers to daytime (usually maximal in the evening) symptoms of (1) unusual sensations in the lower limbs (but can occur in arms or even scalp) that are often described as paresthesia (numbness, tingling, itching, muscle crawling) and (2) a restlessness, in that stretching or walking eases the sensory symptoms. This daytime symptomatology is nearly always accompanied by a sleep disorder – now referred to as periodic limb movement disorder (formerly nocturnal myoclonus). Treatment is simple and very effective – DOPA / Levodopa (Sinemet) in an early evening dose of 10/100 (a minority require a higher dose or use of the long acting preparations).
3. Irritable bowel syndrome: This common syndrome of GI distress that occurs in about 20% of the general population is found in about 60% of fibromyalgia patients. The symptoms are those of abdominal pain, distension with an altered bowel habit (constipation, diarrhea or an alternating disturbance). Typically the abdominal discomfort is improved by bowel evacuation. Due to abnormal sensory processing these symptoms may be quite distressing to fibromyalgia patients. Treatment involves (1) elimination of foods that aggravate symptoms, (2) minimizing psychological distress, (3) adhering to basic rules for maintaining a regular bowel habit, (4) prescribing medications for specific symptoms; constipation (stool softener, fiber supplementation and gentle laxatives such as bisacodyl), diarrhea (loperamide or diphenoxylate) and antispasmodics (dicyclomine or anticholinergic / sedative preparations such as Donnatal).
4. Irritable bladder syndrome: This is found in 40-60% of fibromyalgia patients. The initial incorrect diagnoses are usually recurrent urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis or a gynecological condition. Once these possibilities have been ruled out a diagnosis of irritable bladder syndrome (also called female urethal syndrome) should be considered. The typical symptoms are those of suprapubic discomfort with an urgency to void, often accompanied by frequency and dysuria. In a sub-population of fibromyalgia patients this is related to a myofascial trigger point in the pubic insertion of the rectus abdominus muscles – and may be helped by a procaine myofascial trigger point injection). Treatment: involves (1) increasing intake of water, (2) avoiding bladder irritants such as fruit juices (especially cranberry), (3) pelvic floor exercises (e. g. Kagel exercises) and the prescription of antispasmodic medications (e. g. oxybutinin, flavoxate, hyoscamine).
5. Cognitive dysfunction: This is a common problem for many fibromyalgia patients. It adversely affects the ability to be competitively employed and may cause concern as to an early dementing type of neurodegenerative disease. In practice the latter concern has never been a problem and patients can be reassured. The cause of poor memory and problems with concentration is, in most patients, related to the distracting effects of chronic pain and mental fatigue. Thus the effective treatment of cognitive dysfunction in fibromyalgia is dependent on the successful management of the other symptoms.
6. Cold intolerance: About 30% of fibromyalgia patients complain of cold intolerance. In most cases this amounts to needing warmer clothing or turning up the heat in their homes. Some patients develop a true primary Raynaud’s phenomenon (which may mislead an unknowing physician to consider diagnoses such as SLE or scleroderma. Many fibromyalgia patients have cold hands and feet, and some have cutis marmorata (a lace like pattern of violaceous discoloration of their extremities on cold exposure). Treatment involves: (1) keeping warm, (2) low-grade aerobic exercise (which improves peripheral circulation), (3) treatment of neurally mediated hypotension (see below), and (4) the prescription of vasodilators such as the calcium channel blockers (but these may aggravate the problem in-patients with hypotension).
7. Multiple sensitivities: One result of disordered sensory processing is that many sensations are amplified in fibromyalgia patients. In general fibromyalgia patients are less tolerant of adverse weather, loud noises, bright lights and other sensory overloads. Treatment involves being aware that this is a fibromyalgia-related problem and employing avoidance tactics.
8. Dizziness: Is a common complaint of fibromyalgia patients. Before this symptom is attributable to fibromyalgia a thorough for other causes should be pursued (e. g. postural vertigo, vestibular disorders, 8th nerve tumors, demyelinating disorders, brain stem ischemia and cervical myelopathy). In many cases no obvious cause is found, despite sophisticated testing. Treatable causes related to fibromyalgia include: (1) proprioceptive dysfunction secondary to muscle deconditioning, (2) proprioceptive dysfunction secondary to myofascial trigger points in the sterno-cleido-mastoids and other neck muscles, (3) Neurally mediated hypotension (see below) and (4) medication side effects. Treatment is dependent on making an accurate diagnosis. In patients in whom no obvious cause is found a trial of physical therapy, concentrating on proprioceptive awareness may prove worthwhile.
9. Neurally mediated hypotension: Patients with this problem usually have a low blood pressure that does not go up normally on standing or on exercise. Although such patients often have a low ambient BP with postural changes, these findings are not a prerequisite for diagnosis. A tilt table test with the infusion of isproterenol is the most reliable way to confirm this diagnosis. Treatment involves: (1) education as to the triggering factors and their avoidance, (2) increasing plasma volume (increased salt intake, prescription of florinef), (3) avoidance of drugs that aggravate hypotension (e. g. TCA’s, anti-hypertensives), (4) prevent reflex (prescribe β-adrenergic antagonists or disopyramide) and (5) minimize the efferent limb of the reflex (prescribe α2-adrenergic agonists or anti-cholinergic agents).
SYMPTOMS
PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:
__ recurrent flu-like illness
__ recurrent sore throats, red and injected
__ painful lymph nodes under the arms and neck
__ muscle and joint aches with tender and trigger points – up to 18 of them
__ night sweats and fever
__ severe nasal and other allergies
__ irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
__ weight change – usually gain
__ heart palpitations
__ mitral valve prolapse
__ severe PMS
__ yeast infections
__ rashes and itching
__ uncomfortable or frequent urination
__ interstitial bladder cystitis
__ chest pains (non-cardiac)
__ temporomandibular joint dysfunction (in the jaw)
__ hair loss
__ carpal tunnel syndrome
__ cold hands and feet
__ dry eyes and mouth
__ severe and debilitating fatigue
__ widespread pain
__ other chronic illness(es) usually present (like diabetes, hypoglycemia, asthma, lupus, ms, etc. )
__ numbness in the limbs, not painful like pins & needles
__ painful swelling in the hands, legs, feet, neck
__ GERDs (gastro-esophageal reflux disorder)
__ “growing pains” start in childhood and teens, continue into adulthood
__ widespread body pain during/after physical exertion
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:
__ depression
__ anxiety and panic attacks
__ personality changes, usually for the worse
__ emotional lability (mood swings)
OTHER NERVOUS SYSTEM PROBLEMS:
__ sleep disturbances
__ headaches
__ changes in visual acuity
__ numb or tingling feelings
__ burning sensations
__ light headedness
__ feeling ’spaced out’
__ desequilibrium
__ frequent unusual nightmares and disturbing dreams
__ tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
__ difficulty in moving your tongue to speak
__ severe muscle weakness
__ susceptibility to muscle, tendon, ligament injury
__ intolerance to bright lights
__ intolerance to alcohol
__ intolerance to sound
__ extreme sensitivity to medications and their side-effects
__ alteration of taste, smell, and hearing
__ insomnia
__ inability to achieve stage 4 restorative sleep
__ morning stiffness in the muscles and joints
__ restless leg syndrome
__ muscle spasms
__ muscle quakiness and shivering during/after activity or exercise
__ sleep paralysis (related to stage 4 sleep deprivation)
May 18th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
If you think you are sick, you should go to the doctor and not try to diagnose yourself over the internet.
May 18th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
I took Accutane for a while serveral years. F I know that I thought at the time, but am not sure of any long-term effect directly attributable to this drug. There are too many variables in my case, the use of multiple drugs, Accutane since my days is hard to find the source of my chronic fatigue and mental instability: S
May 18th, 2010 at 6:09 pm
best bet. . . go see a professional. No one can diagnose you just by hearing your symptoms. And with a lot of people, they read symptoms, and dig deep to try to find something even close to it! Good luck.
May 18th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
You need to read “The MindBody Prescription”, by Dr. John Sarno. And get his book on tape “Mind Over Back Pain”. I’m telling you he saved my life.
I had horrible chronic and acute neck/back pain for 15 years. A few weeks after reading his books I was literally pain free. My friend who told me about it was practically yelling at me to get the book. She was bedridden and was nearly free of pain in a couple of days.
You have to open your mind to what he is saying because it sounds far-fetched. The condition is known as TMS, but don’t go researching it without first reading his books.
They were going to do surgery on me THE NEXT WEEK by removing two discs from my neck and fusing the vertibrae. Even my doctors, neurologists, and chiropractors told me it was inevitable. Well, here I am, pain free and able to dance once a week, play basketball. Shoot, I couldn’t even walk without pain in my arms before. Numbness and tingling gone. My arm muscles were measurably smaller.
Also, I was on steroids, percoset, celebrex, ibuprofen (which I’ll never take again for anything less than obvious swelling – inflammation IS your body healing itself), tylenol, skelaxon. You name it. I now take nothing. For a while I took aspirin, but even that is gone.
Do NOT let them cut you up without doing this. Go to Amazon NOW and get the books!!!!
Good luck.
EDIT:
I forgot to mention that I had acid reflux “disease” (known for the past zillion years as heartburn), sleep problems, and Sciatica.
May 18th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Briefly: SÃ, sounds because podrÃa to be haben. Gelobt fibro, gypsy
May 18th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
I have had Fibro since I was 16, actually 20 years now. It does sound like you have some of the symptoms. I am also wondering if you may have Rhuematiod Arthritis because of the joint involvement. Your headaches may actually be Cluster Headaches if they continue to reoccur frequently and you have a sharp pain around one eye. My clusters usually sit in the back of my head until a spike hits me in the eye (what it feels like). Also, these conditions can co-exist (you can have them both). I don’t believe I have ever taken Accutane.
Fibromyalgia associated syndromes
It is not unusual for fibromyalgia patients to have an array of bodily complaints other than musculoskeletal pain. It is now thought that these symptoms are a result of the abnormal sensory processing – as described in the previous section. Recognition and treatment of these associated problems are important in the overall management of your fibromyalgia.
Non-restorative sleep
Cognitive dysfunction
Chronic fatigue
Cold intolerance
Restless leg syndrome
Multiple sensitivities
Irritable bowel syndrome
Dizziness
Irritable bladder syndrome
Neurally mediated hypotension
1. Chronic fatigue: The common treatable cause of chronic fatigue in fibromyalgia patients are: (1) inappropriate dosing of medications (TCAs, drugs with antihistamine actions, benzodiazapines etc. ), (2) depression, (3) aerobic deconditioning, (3) a primary sleep disorder (e. g. sleep apnea), (4) non-restorative sleep (see above) and (5) neurally mediated hypotension (see below). A new drug called Provigil is of some help when used intermittently for management of fatigue.
2. Restless leg syndrome: This strictly refers to daytime (usually maximal in the evening) symptoms of (1) unusual sensations in the lower limbs (but can occur in arms or even scalp) that are often described as paresthesia (numbness, tingling, itching, muscle crawling) and (2) a restlessness, in that stretching or walking eases the sensory symptoms. This daytime symptomatology is nearly always accompanied by a sleep disorder – now referred to as periodic limb movement disorder (formerly nocturnal myoclonus). Treatment is simple and very effective – DOPA / Levodopa (Sinemet) in an early evening dose of 10/100 (a minority require a higher dose or use of the long acting preparations).
3. Irritable bowel syndrome: This common syndrome of GI distress that occurs in about 20% of the general population is found in about 60% of fibromyalgia patients. The symptoms are those of abdominal pain, distension with an altered bowel habit (constipation, diarrhea or an alternating disturbance). Typically the abdominal discomfort is improved by bowel evacuation. Due to abnormal sensory processing these symptoms may be quite distressing to fibromyalgia patients. Treatment involves (1) elimination of foods that aggravate symptoms, (2) minimizing psychological distress, (3) adhering to basic rules for maintaining a regular bowel habit, (4) prescribing medications for specific symptoms; constipation (stool softener, fiber supplementation and gentle laxatives such as bisacodyl), diarrhea (loperamide or diphenoxylate) and antispasmodics (dicyclomine or anticholinergic / sedative preparations such as Donnatal).
4. Irritable bladder syndrome: This is found in 40-60% of fibromyalgia patients. The initial incorrect diagnoses are usually recurrent urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis or a gynecological condition. Once these possibilities have been ruled out a diagnosis of irritable bladder syndrome (also called female urethal syndrome) should be considered. The typical symptoms are those of suprapubic discomfort with an urgency to void, often accompanied by frequency and dysuria. In a sub-population of fibromyalgia patients this is related to a myofascial trigger point in the pubic insertion of the rectus abdominus muscles – and may be helped by a procaine myofascial trigger point injection). Treatment: involves (1) increasing intake of water, (2) avoiding bladder irritants such as fruit juices (especially cranberry), (3) pelvic floor exercises (e. g. Kagel exercises) and the prescription of antispasmodic medications (e. g. oxybutinin, flavoxate, hyoscamine).
5. Cognitive dysfunction: This is a common problem for many fibromyalgia patients. It adversely affects the ability to be competitively employed and may cause concern as to an early dementing type of neurodegenerative disease. In practice the latter concern has never been a problem and patients can be reassured. The cause of poor memory and problems with concentration is, in most patients, related to the distracting effects of chronic pain and mental fatigue. Thus the effective treatment of cognitive dysfunction in fibromyalgia is dependent on the successful management of the other symptoms.
6. Cold intolerance: About 30% of fibromyalgia patients complain of cold intolerance. In most cases this amounts to needing warmer clothing or turning up the heat in their homes. Some patients develop a true primary Raynaud’s phenomenon (which may mislead an unknowing physician to consider diagnoses such as SLE or scleroderma. Many fibromyalgia patients have cold hands and feet, and some have cutis marmorata (a lace like pattern of violaceous discoloration of their extremities on cold exposure). Treatment involves: (1) keeping warm, (2) low-grade aerobic exercise (which improves peripheral circulation), (3) treatment of neurally mediated hypotension (see below), and (4) the prescription of vasodilators such as the calcium channel blockers (but these may aggravate the problem in-patients with hypotension).
7. Multiple sensitivities: One result of disordered sensory processing is that many sensations are amplified in fibromyalgia patients. In general fibromyalgia patients are less tolerant of adverse weather, loud noises, bright lights and other sensory overloads. Treatment involves being aware that this is a fibromyalgia-related problem and employing avoidance tactics.
8. Dizziness: Is a common complaint of fibromyalgia patients. Before this symptom is attributable to fibromyalgia a thorough for other causes should be pursued (e. g. postural vertigo, vestibular disorders, 8th nerve tumors, demyelinating disorders, brain stem ischemia and cervical myelopathy). In many cases no obvious cause is found, despite sophisticated testing. Treatable causes related to fibromyalgia include: (1) proprioceptive dysfunction secondary to muscle deconditioning, (2) proprioceptive dysfunction secondary to myofascial trigger points in the sterno-cleido-mastoids and other neck muscles, (3) Neurally mediated hypotension (see below) and (4) medication side effects. Treatment is dependent on making an accurate diagnosis. In patients in whom no obvious cause is found a trial of physical therapy, concentrating on proprioceptive awareness may prove worthwhile.
9. Neurally mediated hypotension: Patients with this problem usually have a low blood pressure that does not go up normally on standing or on exercise. Although such patients often have a low ambient BP with postural changes, these findings are not a prerequisite for diagnosis. A tilt table test with the infusion of isproterenol is the most reliable way to confirm this diagnosis. Treatment involves: (1) education as to the triggering factors and their avoidance, (2) increasing plasma volume (increased salt intake, prescription of florinef), (3) avoidance of drugs that aggravate hypotension (e. g. TCA’s, anti-hypertensives), (4) prevent reflex (prescribe β-adrenergic antagonists or disopyramide) and (5) minimize the efferent limb of the reflex (prescribe α2-adrenergic agonists or anti-cholinergic agents).
SYMPTOMS
PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:
__ recurrent flu-like illness
__ recurrent sore throats, red and injected
__ painful lymph nodes under the arms and neck
__ muscle and joint aches with tender and trigger points – up to 18 of them
__ night sweats and fever
__ severe nasal and other allergies
__ irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
__ weight change – usually gain
__ heart palpitations
__ mitral valve prolapse
__ severe PMS
__ yeast infections
__ rashes and itching
__ uncomfortable or frequent urination
__ interstitial bladder cystitis
__ chest pains (non-cardiac)
__ temporomandibular joint dysfunction (in the jaw)
__ hair loss
__ carpal tunnel syndrome
__ cold hands and feet
__ dry eyes and mouth
__ severe and debilitating fatigue
__ widespread pain
__ other chronic illness(es) usually present (like diabetes, hypoglycemia, asthma, lupus, ms, etc. )
__ numbness in the limbs, not painful like pins & needles
__ painful swelling in the hands, legs, feet, neck
__ GERDs (gastro-esophageal reflux disorder)
__ “growing pains” start in childhood and teens, continue into adulthood
__ widespread body pain during/after physical exertion
COGNITIVE FUNCTION PROBLEMS:
__ attention deficit disorder
__ spatial disorientation
__ calculation difficulties
__ memory disturbance
__ communication difficulties (problems speaking, confusing words)
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS:
__ depression
__ anxiety and panic attacks
__ personality changes, usually for the worse
__ emotional lability (mood swings)
OTHER NERVOUS SYSTEM PROBLEMS:
__ sleep disturbances
__ headaches
__ changes in visual acuity
__ numb or tingling feelings
__ burning sensations
__ light headedness
__ feeling ’spaced out’
__ desequilibrium
__ frequent unusual nightmares and disturbing dreams
__ tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
__ difficulty in moving your tongue to speak
__ severe muscle weakness
__ susceptibility to muscle, tendon, ligament injury
__ intolerance to bright lights
__ intolerance to alcohol
__ intolerance to sound
__ extreme sensitivity to medications and their side-effects
__ alteration of taste, smell, and hearing
__ insomnia
__ inability to achieve stage 4 restorative sleep
__ morning stiffness in the muscles and joints
__ restless leg syndrome
__ muscle spasms
__ muscle quakiness and shivering during/after activity or exercise
__ sleep paralysis (related to stage 4 sleep deprivation)