LynneJW
11-17-2004, 07:23 PM
Hi Everyone,
I'm really not sure where to post this, so if someone can direct me, I'd be most appreciative :) . I'm posting here because a lot of my symptoms stem from fibromylgia (I was diagnosed many years ago), but I'm not sure if this is all FM related.
Firstly, I am in my early 30's. My main FM symptoms used to be trigger points along the chest wall, neck, shoulders, fatigue, stiffness,lowgrade fever, etc. I have not really been having any FM problems for quite a few years. I am currently on prozac for panic disorder, ativan for anxiety, synthroid for a low thyroid level, and prescription zantac for GERD.
Trouble is, I also have TMJ, and have had 3 invasive surgeries for it, so it's hard to tell if what I am now experiencing is TMJ related or due to FM, or something else alltogether (I saw an oral surgeon in April, he took an xray and he said that both joints look OK, considering the amount of trauma the right one had during those 3 surgeries). For the past few months, I have been experiencing headaches. It started out that I would get a headache only once every couple of weeks, but now, I have had this headache for almost an entire week. The headaches are like nothing I have ever experienced. I have taken motrin, tylenol, applied cold, applied heat, and nothing works. They are in the temple, mostly on the left side (this is the side NOT affected by TMJ), but occaisionally on the right. It feels as though someone is squeezing the temporal artery :bouncing: (I have a degree in human anatomy, so I know what's where). It is painful to touch right along the artery itself. I also have a palpable mass over the artery, which has been there for at least 10 years (I asked my oral surgeon about it when it started, and his response was, it's on the artery, don't touch it! :confused: ...not that comforting). It has not gotten any bigger (it is about the size of corn kernel). Also, for the past week, my neck muscles feel like they are made of steel, and my shoulders are killing me (they clunk when I move them, the ligaments are so tight). I also have ringing in my ears some times, not bad, but it is a little annoying, and this started recently. Does anyone have any clue about what's going on? I don't know if I should go back to my oral surgeon, or see my family doctor. I had a great rheumatologist, but have since moved to a new province so I can't go to him anymore.
Thanks for listening to my rambling confusing post!! :wave:
I'm really not sure where to post this, so if someone can direct me, I'd be most appreciative :) . I'm posting here because a lot of my symptoms stem from fibromylgia (I was diagnosed many years ago), but I'm not sure if this is all FM related.
Firstly, I am in my early 30's. My main FM symptoms used to be trigger points along the chest wall, neck, shoulders, fatigue, stiffness,lowgrade fever, etc. I have not really been having any FM problems for quite a few years. I am currently on prozac for panic disorder, ativan for anxiety, synthroid for a low thyroid level, and prescription zantac for GERD.
Trouble is, I also have TMJ, and have had 3 invasive surgeries for it, so it's hard to tell if what I am now experiencing is TMJ related or due to FM, or something else alltogether (I saw an oral surgeon in April, he took an xray and he said that both joints look OK, considering the amount of trauma the right one had during those 3 surgeries). For the past few months, I have been experiencing headaches. It started out that I would get a headache only once every couple of weeks, but now, I have had this headache for almost an entire week. The headaches are like nothing I have ever experienced. I have taken motrin, tylenol, applied cold, applied heat, and nothing works. They are in the temple, mostly on the left side (this is the side NOT affected by TMJ), but occaisionally on the right. It feels as though someone is squeezing the temporal artery :bouncing: (I have a degree in human anatomy, so I know what's where). It is painful to touch right along the artery itself. I also have a palpable mass over the artery, which has been there for at least 10 years (I asked my oral surgeon about it when it started, and his response was, it's on the artery, don't touch it! :confused: ...not that comforting). It has not gotten any bigger (it is about the size of corn kernel). Also, for the past week, my neck muscles feel like they are made of steel, and my shoulders are killing me (they clunk when I move them, the ligaments are so tight). I also have ringing in my ears some times, not bad, but it is a little annoying, and this started recently. Does anyone have any clue about what's going on? I don't know if I should go back to my oral surgeon, or see my family doctor. I had a great rheumatologist, but have since moved to a new province so I can't go to him anymore.
Thanks for listening to my rambling confusing post!! :wave:
Sponsor
PKPopcorn
11-18-2004, 10:16 AM
I know exactly how you feel! I have been experiencing all of those head-neck-upperback problems for the last several years (at least 2-3). I find these things combined the most difficult of all the symptoms to live with and adjust to. I do not have insurance, so I cannot see a doctor or get any Rxs. I take an herbal concoction that can only do so much. If you find anything out, be sure to let us know!
Sarah
Sarah
LynneJW
11-18-2004, 10:59 AM
Thanks Sarah :) , I am about to phone the family doc and get an apointment. You're right about it being so difficult to adjust to. I thought about getting a massage, but even touching my neck muscles is excruciating! I just popped another couple of advil, I hope I get at least a little relief. Hope you have a good day! :wave:
Lynne
Lynne
kcgage
11-18-2004, 12:59 PM
ACUPUNCTURE works wonders for my neck pain, as does sleeping on a cervical pillow.
PKPopcorn
11-18-2004, 01:27 PM
The only real relief I get is from a DEEP tissue massage of my neck and back. But the relief ends when the massage ends, and my neck and back end up bruised! Tough luck! Facial massages are nice when I can get them too. I also take ibuprofen for my neck pain, but after about a week, I have to up the dosage for it to work. This is true of any chemical medicine I have ever taken (which is why I mainly take herbs). Does anyone else have this? What is it?
Sarah
Sarah
lighthouses
12-11-2004, 06:21 PM
I also have a lot of neck and head pain. I have been getting a lot more migraines in the past 2 mo. I have found the only thing that helps my migraines in Excederin Migraine if you take 2 right away it seems to help it pretty fast. It does sometimes upset my stomach a little so try and eat with it. I am taking protonix for my stomach because I take Bextra and it is bothering my stomach. I think that thei protonix is giving me extra headaches and fullness in my head and eyes and neck ache. I am going to dr. next week and see if he thinks I can quit taking the protonix awhile and see how my stomach is. I want to get off of the Bextra too but it does really help my aches and pains along with cymbalta. I do have a very small tumor type in my head that the dr. says is not causing my headaches and it is not cancerous. I will get another mri in 6 mo to keep an eye on it. Try the Excederin. I have tried 2 diff. prescription migraine meds and they don't work.
JenniferEvelynn
12-14-2004, 10:51 AM
Hi all,
Every since I can remember I've had this: I am unable to tilt my head up and look up at anything very high. For instance, looking up to the ceiling. Any looking that requires me to point my nose to the sky. When I do I get dizzy, headachey, yucky feeling all over. Maybe this is related to FM???? Any squeezing or pressure on the back of my neck at the base of my skull has the same reaction.
God bless, Jen
Every since I can remember I've had this: I am unable to tilt my head up and look up at anything very high. For instance, looking up to the ceiling. Any looking that requires me to point my nose to the sky. When I do I get dizzy, headachey, yucky feeling all over. Maybe this is related to FM???? Any squeezing or pressure on the back of my neck at the base of my skull has the same reaction.
God bless, Jen
Gingerleah
12-15-2004, 12:43 PM
I know I'm late but I may have a clue for you. WHEN my thyroid level is out of sink I suffer from bad, long lasting headaches. When I get it back in ck I notice it will go away till the next time. Good Luck!
Ginger
Ginger
sewdeb
12-15-2004, 02:07 PM
I was exactly like you about 5 or 6 yrs. ago.....I was on Thyroid replacement, antidepressant, muscle relaxer, muscle spasm med, Ibuprophen 800, Hormone replacement, anti-inflammatory, and more. I think I was a toxic waste site. I went natural and dropped everything little by little. I still take the thyroid replacement and am on a muscle relaxer (Cyclobenzaprine) only at night for a restorative sleep. I started taking lots of vitamins. At one time I had a headache for 9 months straight and they did all the tests and just gave me more drugs, what a mess! I started getting massage therapy and 2 years ago I became an MT because of the huge difference it made in my health. Now I can do 8 hr. of massage and still come home and do housework!. Can't believe how far I have come. My life used to be about Dr. appts and pills.