Hi all,

Knowing this board is the closest thing to a CMP discussion, i was wondering how many people have myofascial pain here. Simple difference being that myofascial is the one with trigger points. I am "lucky" enough to have both diseases, which just means my pain is consistantly horrid, it just likes to jump from place to place or add new places for a day or two. I'm exercising, but work is getting tough as my hands start to get worse. Add to that i'm 26 and i don't believe in narcotic use for chronic diseases and you can see the issue http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Anyway, just looking for advice.

Larry

hi larry,

ya got more of the mps than the fibro, but i get the juicier fibro problems like fibrofog, numbness and tingling, and the inability to do anything with my lobster claws some days!

and don't even think about touching my back! how annoying is it that everyone just HAS to touch you, or even try to tickle you? one day you will hear about a savage murder because of FMS/MPS complex!

advice...read all the entries here and all the books you can get your (sore) hands on, and try them all...you've got nothing but time i'm afraid to say. what works for me is definitely not going to work for everyone...just the nature of this horrid beast (if only it were that easy).

i applaud your decision against narcotics. try all the alternatives first, the others will still be there if you need them.

god bless

Hi. I've just been diagnosed with chronic myofascial pain syndrome as well. Unfortunately I can't take anti-inflammatories (causes my crohns to flare) pt aggravates it, there are no massage therapists near me that are familiar with this and docs say it went to long untreated so injections won't work. He told me I have 2 choices, don't take any narcotics and have no life or take them and at least have some quality of life. Are you aware of any other types of treatments I'm not aware of? Any advice would be appreciated.

Actually i'm lucky enough to get the fibrofog (just ask my friends/parents) and dizziness. People can't believe that someone who spent time at harvard can't remember something he was told 10 minutes ago, or even sometimes makes a wrong turn going home (got a gps for that lol). And I just graduated college 5 years ago!! Oh, at the hospital they would put my hands and feet in icewater for 30 minutes and they would feel better for a few hours after that if anyone is looking for some help.

i just read about water therapy...the old fashioned way, walking in a cold stream or lake. it used to be a remedy for migraines and it actually works! the prob with this is it can also set off a fibro attack in my lower legs...they'll ache for days after! i have to decided which i can tolerate more, the migraine or the leg ache.

as for the fog....incredible isn't it? that is the symptom that scares my husband the most because i too am a scholar...and he kinda relies on me to be the walking phonebook/directory/source of useless but informative knowledge, and when i can't pull up my own address it's a bit freaky!

as for massage, i won't ever try that again! i had a "spa" treatment just last weekend, and it has taken me 6 days to get back to my normal level of miserable again! i thought maybe it would help to "drain" some of the mps triggers, or at least increase my circulation, but it has resulted in torticollis (excruitating neck spasm) and a 6 day migraine, so let me know if you ever find a masseuse that doesn't create more problems and actually provides relief. has anyone tried chiro, and how has it helped? i tried it once for a period of 6 months and it really only aggravated me, but i didn't know i had FMS/MPS then either.

Twisten,

I know the allure of the drugs, since i was on methadone for 2 years. Two years i don't remember at all. The truth of the matter is that pain management doctors don't want to deal with us because they really are just drug pushers. And you'll become an addict for the rest of your life. Prescribed drugs kill 3x more people than street drugs.

I have found the best way to fight pain is heavy meditation and self-hypnosis. This isn't for everybody i guess, but it's extremely effective. I also exercise those joints that hurt. It's hell, but it helps. I can't just give up and say ok that's my lot in life, i'm a pile of crap cripple. And i can't walk around in a drugged daze. I know it hurts like hell, typing this isn't fun. But there are ways to control the mind. Everything is in the mind, but western civilization doesn't press that issue it seems. If you want a list of books that may help out, tell me. I've done best with identifying with the baghavat gita however, realizing i have a choice to make. Perhaps it will help you too.

Larry

Hi Larry thanks for the info but I just don't think self-hypnosis and meditation is for me. Right now my pt is trying accupuncture and while I have no positive results yet at least it didn't make me worse. You never know I may come knocking for a list of those books yet though. Thanks again.

I have the really really sore spots, although no doc has told me I have MFS, I know I do in addition to the FMS that they have diagnosed. So many people seem to have the super sensitive skin that hurts to be touched, but my sore spots are deep in the tissue and you have to press pretty hard to access it. Massaging these spots sort of hurts, but it also releases the "knots", and feels better afterwards. Lately I've been having pain on both sides of my spine in my mid-back, and I can't do anything for it except to lie down (which can be a problem at work). It feels like my muscles can't hold me up. Does anyone have similar symptoms? I'm curious, because it seems that other people's symptoms are somewhat different that mine.

Debabc that's where mine started. And you truly do have CMP (chronic myofascial pain) if you have the deep tissue pain. Many doctors still don't know the difference, or even accept that they exist. Amazing huh. When mine went to the point that i couldn't live by myself (i'm 26), my parents actually flew me home to see yet another pain mgmt (drug pusher) and he just raised my dosage of narcotics. Now you may feel better, but you CANNOT use narcotics on a chronic illness. They're not meant for that and the doctors who say they are just want you high and out of their hair. My parents finally sent me to the University of Miami Pain Clinic (http://www.um-cprc.com/). It is considered the best in the world (Dr Rossamoff wrote the book on myofascial). It also gave me my life back. I was at a 9 level and now i'm at a 5-7. That's a huge difference! some scoffers say well sometimes it's only 2 points. I can operate at 7.. not at 9. And they give you your daily regiment of exercises for when you leave them. That is why i have hit 5 instead of the 6 average that was a constant 6 or 7. If you need a place to learn how to live with it, get rid of whatever walker or cane you may have, and walk upright standing tall (some days http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif ) Then you should look into them. That goes for everyone. Deb you may have fibromyalgia.. i have both... but i now know you have CMP. I also know you should invest in a thera-cane. It's this small cane thing with balls on it which you press into the deep tissue problems and yes it hurts but you are giving yourself a deep tissue massage. After a few 30 second uses you'll feel much better for a while. I carry mine with me. Anyway, the fibro in my hand is flaring from this book, so please email me if you have any problems. It's hard to see the light, and you know what, there may not be one. But there's still the ability to shine in darkness.

Larry

Larry, thanks so much for your response, it helps to not feel so all alone in this. I have a herniated disk since Feb. which the docs say doesn't look so bad for the pain it is causing me. I'm sure its the cmp. I've been going to a chiropractor for that, and while the sciatica from the disk hasn't improved a lot, the pain behind my shoulder blade that has been hurting for about 30 years (I'm serious) has just about disappeared. I'm seeing a NUCCA certified chiro and he took xrays from the top of my head going down into the spine. It was very apparent that my spine is very skewed. Also, my head was visibly tilted and one shoulder was obviously lower than the other and tilted forward. I could see this in the mirror, but was told by my med. doc that that was normal. HA! My shoulders are now even and my head no longer tilts. Of course, I still have all kinds of pain, but that severe pain in the shoulder is gone. Since my sciatica has not improved, I checked out some books on exercises for the back and found one called Breathworks by Nancy Swayzee. It is a program that strengthens the abs and back muscles at the deepest layers, so that your posture improves. The exercises are not strenous. I started it yesterday. I'm thinking if those muscles are strong, they should be able to hold me up without straining and maybe the pain will subside. You may want to try it. OK now I've written a book, too. Thanks again.

Larry,
Does this sound like myofascial pain to you?
1. Thickened or hardened muscles in both thighs & lower
legs
2. Pain/numbness in feet
3. Burning sensation in arms and legs
4. Muscle/skin twitching
5. Vibrating sensation in feet when laying down
6. Most recently, weakness in both legs where a crutch
is needed
7. Vibration on both checks next to nose
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thank you.....
Myra

Lucille,

It sounds like it can be. I'm no doctor http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif I do know they wouldn't let us have any canes, walkers, or other instruments in Miami, because the main goal is to use the weakened body part so make it strong again.

For you and deb, i have a great book that explains everything and there's an exercise book that compiments it. The first is called Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual (2nd Edition). Thats the facts according to these two doctors, and it goes over things the best of any book out there, though it tends to prefer fibro at times. The workbook is great though. The only thing we can do for our condition is be careful, lift correctly, walk correctly, and stretch. This book will help: The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief.

I hope i've helped you guys out. And don't limit yourself to these books if you don't want to. Any book that has you exercising is great.. oh and the thera-cane is a great thing too.

Larry

Hey Deb,

Read the posts under BACK PAIN here on the fibromyalgia board. Youll be surprised to find out youre not the only one with this weird pain.

We've been discussing this particular pain , and others with fibro have been experiencing it. I have an appt with my doc next week and thats one of the things im bringing up. The pain starts midway the spine, and it gets so severe you just dont know what to do for it.

Nothing seems to help, its not muscle pain, its the spine itself.

Hope youre having a great weekend,
Jen

I thought it was my spine, but it ended up being my hip. All the muscles to your leg go through the same spot as the sciatic nerve. with cmp you're going to have a shortened and thicker muscle so there's less room and it pushes on the nerve. That affects the deep tissue there and ALSO on the back usually. I'm lucky enough to have it moving into my hands now. Every joint. Myo means muscle, but we're not talking muscle pain. We're talking about the thin film around muscle that covers every organ, bone, etc. Thats why it feels like bone pain. At least that's what i learned during my month in the hospital from the best doctor on the subject. It's even in the cmp and myofascial book i had in my earlier post. It really defines it well. But there are NO TRIGGER POINTS in fibro. If you have them it's CMP. You may have both, but that's just the definition of the two. Many people don't know that including the docs that just consider them the same. Anyway.. Off to exercise.. gotta lengthen those muscle bundles in my hip http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Larry

Larry,

I can't believe that you are only 26 yrs. old. That is such a bummer to be so young and have to deal with this awful pain. My heart goes out to you. How long have you been dealing with MPS and the fibro too? If I hear of anything interesting that deals with either of those two subjects I will certainly let you know.

Thanks so much for your helpful advice. I went a good part of the day today WITHOUT my trusty old crutch. I didn't have to go to work but I did manage to clean my house and get some laundry done. (I have to go downstairs for that.) I forced myself to do these things and I got through them. Now I can sit back and enjoy my clean house, for a few days anyway!

I have written the book titles down and plan on getting the two books that you recommended. Also, I like the idea of that thera-cane too. Whatever helps, I'm game. Already you have made more sense than some of the doctor's I've seen. Thank you so much.

Please let us know how you are doing. I look foward to hearing from you again.

Myra

Hi Twisten, Are you taking PPI's ? Can you relate all your pains to when or after you started taking them ? I feel those pills screwed me up. Bob

Myra,

I know more than most doctors because part of the month in the hospital was learning.. every day we had an hour lecture. I have been meaning to scan all the pages from my exercise list (with gatorade stain) http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif and zip it up and email it to people. The only problem is i shouldn't because if someone hurts themselves i'd feel awful. As for the crutch.. they'd usually have someone just wean off it... and just before you thought you were done they'd just take it away. You'd be pissed, but the self achievement would mean a lot more in a few days.

Yeah, i'm 26. I had back surgery at 15 (spinal stinosis - laminectomy) and then another at 23. The one at 23 was because my idiot pain mgmt dr thought shocking the pain with a stimulator would help. $70K later (i love insurance) i was home in NJ, still high from methadone, and going nowhere. So my parents sent me to the miami clinic. I don't remember any of the two years i was on methadone. Sometimes i don't remember my age http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif "How old are you?", uh.. 24.. no.. 27.. no.. 26! lol. My parents enjoy telling me of the ruckus i caused, but they're thrilled with the progress.

Well.. all i can say is do stuff.. if you stop, the muscles and the fascia will grow tighter... and you will lose more abilities. If the site hurts, you MUST move it, otherwise it'll atrophy. So much for old sayings. Most drugs didn't work for me unfortunately, but bextra is doing well and it's not a narc.

Have a good night and i'll be back later http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wink.gif

Larry

Hi Rob. I can't answer your question as I don't know what PPI's are. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif Sorry, if you could explain then I may have an answer for you.

------------------
Hmm where should I begin?? Crohn's disease, sacroiilitis-crohn's related, scoliosis, spina bifida occulta chronic myofascial pain, tmjd and migraines. Still waiting for bone scan and bone density test to tell me what else is wrong with me!! Too many surgeries to list!!:angel:

Hi Twisten, Proton Pump Inhibators. Stomach acid blockers-like Prilosec or Protonix. I got migrains with visual aura's, ablance problem and a burning/pain in my right temple. Bob

Hi again Bob. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif. I don't know if these are proton pump inhibitors but I've been on prevacid then they took me off and put me on pantoloc, which I'm still on, and I was on domperidone but I'm off that now. No, I can't say any of these caused any problems for me but I can not take buscopan as I get distorted vision and feeling like I'm going to pass out. I've had migraines since I was a teenager and wasn't on any medication back then. Are you still on them? I sure hope not if you think they've caused problems for you but I know what a fight it can be to get a doctor to take you off of something that he thinks you should be on http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif. I'm assuming you have crohn's disease http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_down.gif as well.
Take care and hope to read more of your posts.

------------------
Hmm where should I begin?? Crohn's disease, sacroiilitis-crohn's related, scoliosis, spina bifida occulta, chronic myofascial pain, tmjd and migraines. Still waiting for bone scan and bone density test to tell me what else is wrong with me!! Too many surgeries to list!!

Hi Larry,

Good to hear from you. I'm sorry that you had to have back surgery at such a young age! Life just isn't fair at times and it's hard to understand why certain things happen. I've been a good-natured (at least I think so) hard working person, always have tried to do the right thing, treated others fairly (sometimes more than they deserved!) and now I find myself scared to go to the grocery store. I just don't get it but I'm learning to deal with it. I just feel so bad for you that all this happened to you WHEN YOU WERE SO YOUNG. That is so unfair!!!

Speaking of grocery stores, my sister came over this morning and off to the store we went. I didn't think I could do it on my own and was much more comfortable with her by my side. I thought for a second about leaving the crutch at home but decided against it. Didn't know if I'd be able to walk through that whole store without it. I thought about what you said but was afraid my legs would give out on me. So, now I have a clean house AND food in the refrigerator. Things are already looking up! Ha.

I forgot the name of the medication you are taking (I will go back and re-read your e-mail) but was wondering what that does for you? Wish I could get a copy of the exercises they gave you to do. Is that possible through this site? I'm just learning how all of this works so please bear with me.

What a beautiful day outside. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. Time to take a walk (very short) and S-T-R-E-T-C-H........

Take care and keep moving...

Myra

Hey, where is everybody?????

Myra

Just in a fibrofog combined with 40 hour work weeks. I did learn something though in my meditation. 90% of the fear i feel is a direct result of my FEAR of the pain or it getting worse or my future. Since i've been working on that, my pain has gone down a point, and it's only been two weeks. Maybe pain is all in our head http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif that's where the impulses are turned to pain. Just an interesting little tidbit to possibly spark some conversation.

Larry

Yeah, I remember reading something about pain control that says you can still have pain, but not SUFFER from it. I don't know, sometimes I understand that, and other times I absolutely don't. There is a mind component, no doubt.The example this author gave (I think the same one, don't ask me who)was that when you think about eating a lemon, you salivate, a small example of how thoughts can affect the body. Glad you're able to work 40 hours, sorry about the fibrofog. I was wondering what happened to you!

I usually let everyone else have their own explanations and just sit back and watch, maybe someday the board will know the difference between FM and CMP... I only know as much as i do because i stayed at the best FM/CMP hospital in the nation for a month (U of Miami -- Dr. Rosomoff).

Meditation was a huge part of the therapy, and i think perhaps i make it sound too easy since i've been doing it so long. I would highly recommend one of those self hypnosis tapes or cds, because after you understand how to do self-hypnosis (meditation with a goal) you can really examine why certain things have that affect on you. Like when you look at a book.. perhaps your mother gave it to you.. it has sentimental value. You place affection on the BOOK. An inanimate object. It doesn't deserve affection, your mother does, so you have to go into your mind and reprogram the way you think.

It's the same with pain. We fear the pain. For all we know tomorrow we won't be able to move. But the point is we DON'T KNOW, and therefore being afraid of a possibility is illogical. We all know in this condition we have to live for the moment. When you do that, the fear starts lessening. We're not usually afraid in the moment, we're afraid in the future. And if you're living in either the past or the future (which makes no logical sense) you need to check yourself. I know it sounds hard. It took me a LONG time to stop living in possible outcomes : "What's the point??? i'll be freaken paralyzed in 5 years anyway?". We don't know that. Is it healthier to think you'll be fine in 5 year? No. But you know what you are now, and if you fear it, you fear yourself.

I just go along thinking yeah it hurts... it's hurt for 12 years.. so i won't go for a hike up the mountains today http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif I can see pictures other people have taken from the top anyway lol. I don't like hiking anyway. Yeah, i'm out of shape because of it. Am i a lesser person? No. Blind people tend to have stronger abilities in the other 4 (perhaps 5) senses. When physical injuries plague someone, they HAVE to get stronger in the mental aspect. It's not like i can work at a lumbar yard (though it's certainly better than the crappy job i have now). We also have to realize that our job doesn't define us. I'm sure some of us have great jobs making tons of money. I also know that MOST of us probably, like me, have a huge amount of trouble with a work week, yet disability pays less than welfare or unemployment in most states (interesting fact). But the fact that any of us WORKS AT ALL is something we should be proud of (until the wage slave philosophy of the US hits home and you resent it heh). It's not the job we should be proud of, it's the effort to step forward even though we're in more pain that most people can comprehend.

Knowing this for me has lessened my minds exposure to the pain. Perhaps it will help someone else too.

Good Health,
Larry

Lucille,
Just reading all these threads and yours reminded me of MS. I also have MS, besides Myofascial Pain and Fibro and accident injuries and arthritis. Oh, boy, lots always to deal with. But, have you followed up on Ms with your walking problems and vibrating etc. Just a thought, sometimes we blame everything on Fibro and there were other things going on in conjunction with.... Soleil

Larry, I have fibro and rsd! Can you believe that? Gee, how lucky did I get or what?? No seriously, ain't no fun. I'm curious tho and was wondering if you could help. I jammed my foot under a chair in February. Felt a very strong electrical sensation all the way to my head. Went away and a week later I developed what I call an "oven like" burning pain in my leg. All tests were normal. Orthro referred me to pain doc who said, "aha, rsd. take neurotin 3 times a day and 75 mg of elavil every night." I can barely tolerate the elavil and stay zonked until about 10 the next day and I have to work full time! I went ahead and had the lumbar blocks done at $1,000 each for 5 grand!! Doc said oh it's in remission, uh, ok. Now here it is almost August and the burning pain started again in my left leg. My neck, shoulders, back, upper arms especially hurt. I ache and am tired all over. I have no memory (I lost it and I never did find that sucker), sensitivity to light, headaches, insomnia, and the list goes on. I just wanted to ask (because I find myself praying every day that this diagnosis of rsd is wrong. I can deal with the fibro but not this. What do you think? (Quick before I forget!)

JUst a little note about the elavil..I had the same problem until I started taking it earlier at night. Take it about 3 hours before you go to bed.

Soleil,
Thanks for the feedback. Have not been diagnosed with anything in particular yet. Am scheduled for more testing tomorrow at the hospital. Also have an appointment with a neurologist next Tuesday. I thought that might be a good place to start again. MS has also been mentioned to me by a few others so I was not that surprised by your comment. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know. I will keep you posted and thanks again for your input.
Myra

Lucille,
Let me know how it goes at the neurolgists and if they address your leg problems. Hope you find out something as I know what it is like waiting for a specialist appt........Soleil

Soleil,
Had three tests done at the hospital on Friday. MRI of both knees, arterial doppler and a thyroid scan. Will let you know how it goes at the neurologist on Tuesday. We'll get to the bottom of this yet. (I hope!) Do you have pain in the feet? That seems to be bothering me more than anything right now. The feet and toes. How long have you had MS?
Take care,
Myra

Hi everybody!

I'm new to this site! I was diagnosed with chronic myofascial neck and back pain at 26 years of age after a motor vehicle accident. I have so many weird symptoms and i dont beleive them to be all MPS...i was wondering about FMS. Do any of you with FMS experience electric shock like pain in the facial area???? The doctors cant seem to figure out if these shocks are related to my TMJD or my CMPS neck pain???

Picas,

I really don't know what to associate your pain with, and don't blame the doctors since nerves are finally being studied and understood. But i know when i have flares i usually feel fire. Sometimes i feel ice. I prefer fire lol. But the point is that you can feel ANYTHING. The nerve is haywire. The symptom is irrelevant, but it's obviously electrical since our nervous system is based on that. Perhaps the synapses in your body produce shocks while mine produce knives, fire and ice. Hmm.. is that a metal song title? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I understand everyone has questions, and we often regard people with different symptoms as having something different. I think that's a big mistake with FMS and CMP. I know people that can't bear to be touched, and others whose skin is fine. We all know about claw hand, yet how many of us have felt their leg freeze (i was NOT doing a meditative exercise at the time either http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif. What i think is necessary is to take a step out of your body, and figure out what the heck is wrong. Be angry about it. Why the heck is your body doing this to you. But you must be able to understand you have to go back to this body, so mentally probe each and every synapse and figure out what's not right. Try to heal it by transcending it (i've been trying 15 years.. one of these days).

I don't know.. i'm actually hurting today so i may sound snappy, but it's our own responsibility to figure out what's wrong with ourselves since the docs just give us pills and send us home. Maybe i'll go take some klonopin and relax now http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif I'm in angry mode. Laters http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

larry, i have fibro and cmp also i know your pain and I cant take much for pain or it makes my severe asthma worse.hang in there,

------------------
JOHN 3:16
Hope4all

ok .i have fibro and cmp and that back pain you talk a bout on the sides of your spine. yes ive had that for many yrs. also i have the burning skin pain it affects many areas of my body My dr told me most of his patient describe it as acid flowing through there vains. my feet drive me crazy with it . they are the worst. i have to tell you swimming and then sitting in hot tub helps me most and a nice easy massage helps relax my muscles and the pain eases up alot

------------------
JOHN 3:16
Hope4all

Picas and all,

I am 23 year old mother of two, and recently married (that's the good news). I have recently been diagnosed with both FMS(went undiagnosed for two years) and CMP(started two months ago). The Myofascial pain is also in my face (the left side). It started almost two months ago. 6 Doctors and 11 drugs later, I was finally diagnosed with CMP, with trigger points throughout the left side of my face and neck. And all this time I thought the FMS was bad, I have been in living agony since this CMP has started. At it's worst the whole left side of my mouth below the temple hurts to even move. My tounge and gums swell up, my neck is so stiff that I'm afraid to turn my head. But the pain is not contingent on moving, this throbbing, stabbing pain is just as active when I am completely still. Crying was the only comfort I could find.

Everything makes it worse...talking, walking, reading, laying down. Since this CMP has started, the Elavil at bed time stoppd working, and I began waking up at 3:00 am in tremendous pain. So, ofcourse, my FMS has now flared up again, and I'm back to no answers. My Rheumatologist told me that he doesn't know how to help me, my Primary Doc wants me to keep trying drugs (none of which has worked). I have been on Narcotics, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Depressants...no luck.

The pain became so unbearable, that I decided to do some research on my own. There isn't much info on how to release trigger points yourself, if you search a little more, you find a little more.

I began to massage my own face and neck, usually at night, because I noticed that I get very dizzy when doing this. The first night I gave myself a facial massage (moving up towards the temple), I slept the entire night, and woke up in the morning with pain at a 5, it came down from a 9. I have been doing this for three days now, and I go from a 3 to a 7, depending on how active I am. This is really helping me 'deal with' the pain, while the doctors figure out how to fix it.

One of these days I will be able to afford trigger point release massage therapy...but in the mean time I will do the best I can do on my own. I have read that this can be dangerous if not done correctly, but I'm glad I took my chances.

(Sorry I wrote such a long thread)

Picas, I understand what you're going through, and it isn't easy...just never give up!

Soleil,

Sorry about the delay in writing. I told you I would let you know what happened at the doctor's and I have been dragging my feet. (Ha) I've taken a little break from the computer but I'll get back on track.

The thyroid scan was normal, the arterial doppler showed abnormal blood flow and the MRI of the knees showed fluid. I have since been to a vascular doc who said he could not do anything as the circulation problem isn't that bad. Wonderful. Just when I thought we might be on to something. The neurologist ordered an MRI of the brain and brain stem. From that we learned that I do not have MS. Now he wants to send me to a muscle specialist in Chicago. I love all this running around to different doctors, especially on legs that aren't too happy to be carrying me. I do have another appointment with a different vascular doctor this coming week. (only because my doppler test result was faxed to a doctor who didn't order it but thought he did, now he wants me to see this other vascular doctor.) I thought, Oh heck, why not? Maybe THIS doctor can help. Anyway, I will keep you posted.

Hope everyone else is hanging in there. Where you hiding again Larry?

Take care,
Myra