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nascarchristy
03-16-2009, 11:04 AM
Hello Brain Talk People
Looking for a little help and support This looked like a good place.
Lets see a year ago today I was a pretty healthy person, Then on March 18th 2008 I got what I thought was the flu But it did not go away a month later I was diagnosed with Mono.wich lasted another month before I started to feel a little better, But I had pain all over my entire body my joints were tender my muscles hurt my arms were very weak my fingers quit working I was dropping things it hurt to grasp anything with my hands. I was also so fatigued I would fall asleep at work I just wanted to sleep all the time. My PCP ran more blood work and found my Reumatoid factor High and sent me to a reumatologist. She started me on a Ra drug and ran more blood work wich came back negative for RA so she stoped the meds and after examination determined I had Fibromyalgia,Myofascial pain syndrome and osteoarthritis.She sent me to PT wich was making my symptoms worse so we stopped that. I started having alot of pins and needles in my shoulders neck and arms and my hands were always asleep so I was sent for xrays and MRI that showed arthritis in my c-spine and lumbar spine and also 3 bulging discs in my c-spine. I went to the spine center at the local hospital were they said the discs were not so bad to worry about right now and they did nerve and muscle tests on my right arm and hand they came back normal except for a little carpal tunnel.They suggested massage. Every different doctor I have went to says it is all the fibromyalgia I guess I just did not think fibromyalgia could be soooo bad. I have been on Lyrica for 3 months now and my doctor is now putting me on Cymbalta also. I take Tramadol daily for pain Flexiril at night to sleep. Does anyone have any suggestions to help get me out ofthis year long flare up? I am starting to think I am crazy.

AintSoBad
03-16-2009, 06:50 PM
Hello NascarChristy,
Welcome. You didn't mention if you have had any injury at all?
Bulging discs can be very painful, but if you had any trauma at all, (a little whiplash?) I'd watch for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Which, you describe very well. You need a Good thoracic or neurosurgeon/hand specialist, or even neurologist to find that.
Also, beware rsd (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) now sometimes called crps. complex regional pain syndrome. Again, a good neurologist. (It's the "all over pain" that makes me fear that). Not that I'm a doctor, I just suffered with those for 8 years, back in the 80's before getting a diagnoses. I merely suggest you rule them out.
I wish you all the best, there are lots of good people who can help you more than I can.
I'm a newby too!

Pete
"AintSoBad"

nascarchristy
03-16-2009, 08:43 PM
thanks for the reply I have not had an injury just had the mono for a few months and my body has gone crazy ever since.

AintSoBad
03-18-2009, 01:35 AM
You may want to PM me.
I wonder about your back ground.
You may want to bring it more into the open as well.
After all, you came here for maximum help / support, yes?

The disorders I mention can hide, they don't need a trauma, but since they usually do, doesn't mean anything.

Mono, is a trauma, to your body.
(I had it).
They're still looking for answers for RSD (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) or, otherwise known as crps (complex regional pain syndrome).
But, check this site out, and see if you match up to the symptoms.

http://www.rsds.org/index2.html

That's #1 Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. If you have it, get it diagnosed and worked on Quickly!

Here's the other:

http://www.atosa.org/?
OVRAW=thoracic%20outlet%20syndrome&OVKEY=thoracic%20outlet%20syndrome&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=30

Wow, that didn't fit, did it?

Anyway, you can get it by Goggling Thoracic Outlet Syndrome,
which you sound like....er, your symptoms I mean.

I'm NOT a doctor.
I have these two disorders, amongst a few others.

The first, requires a good / GOOD Neurologist. (Keep in mind, I find, that many of our Neurologist's are doctors who don't want to get dirty).
Find the "top guy" in the hospital. The "Chief of Neurology" if you can, or, one of his deputies.

For TOS,
A thoracic surgeon, an shoulder, arm, hand specialist.
I'm in Philly.
We have a Wonderful hospital, part of "Jefferson" called the "Hand Clinic".
I've seen these people SAVE so many people's hands!
I may have had to wait 16 hours for my appt., but to know someone's hand was saved, made it worth it!
We're ALL human!

Never get angry because you wait too long. Bring a Book!

Good Luck, and God's Best!

Pete
ASB