gunner00
11-15-2007, 07:20 PM
In December 2005 was dx with drug induced lupus caused by an acne medication I was taking. Lab tests done through out 2006 (ENA panel) have shown positive for different antibodies. The last test done in Dec 2006 still showed centromere antibody positive. Doctor indicated that these antibodies may take time to go away. They have been treating me as though I have fibro. Haven't had any blood work done recently.
My symptoms started in 2005 with extreme pain in my hands, feet, and joints. Felt like extreme arthritis. My body just ached all over. I had fatigue and muscle weakness. Was unable to sleep due to pain and the feeling that my body was crushing me. I also had a tendency for migraines and/or sinus headaches.
Since Feb 2007 I have been taking Lyrica 50 mg 2x day, Clonazepam 5mg (at night), and Tramadol 50mg 2x day.
My syptoms have been somewhat under control. I have had the chronic problem with extremely stiff/tight muscles. No matter how much stretching I do they don't relax. Even see a massage therapist weekly for relief.
Just recently had a really bad flare up which made me start to wonder if something else maybe going on. The weather changes have been bothersome to my arthritis and I was having some increase joint pain. I also have a tendency to experience more aches prior to my period - which started this week.
Anyway, on Monday I started to feel achy and like my blood sugar was low - shaky. On Tuesday, I hurt from head to toe, shaky, muscles feeling like jello, hard to move without concentrating on the action, had a hard time finding words and saying them, dizzy, and nausa. I tried to pick up a glass, my hand shook the whole time, and I wasn't sure if I could hold it. I thought it maybe the flu but the next day it was gone. I only felt mildly dizzy and had short periods when I really had to focus on words and saying them. Normally, flare ups I have had in the past come on slowly, I am down for a day or so, then I feel better a few days latter. This was really intense and I haven't felt that pain in over a year.
My massage therapist asked me about MS and testing. I don't really know if I have the symptoms and I am confused as to what they are. What are the basic things/ syptoms that I should look for or talk to my doctor about?
Appreciate any help.
My symptoms started in 2005 with extreme pain in my hands, feet, and joints. Felt like extreme arthritis. My body just ached all over. I had fatigue and muscle weakness. Was unable to sleep due to pain and the feeling that my body was crushing me. I also had a tendency for migraines and/or sinus headaches.
Since Feb 2007 I have been taking Lyrica 50 mg 2x day, Clonazepam 5mg (at night), and Tramadol 50mg 2x day.
My syptoms have been somewhat under control. I have had the chronic problem with extremely stiff/tight muscles. No matter how much stretching I do they don't relax. Even see a massage therapist weekly for relief.
Just recently had a really bad flare up which made me start to wonder if something else maybe going on. The weather changes have been bothersome to my arthritis and I was having some increase joint pain. I also have a tendency to experience more aches prior to my period - which started this week.
Anyway, on Monday I started to feel achy and like my blood sugar was low - shaky. On Tuesday, I hurt from head to toe, shaky, muscles feeling like jello, hard to move without concentrating on the action, had a hard time finding words and saying them, dizzy, and nausa. I tried to pick up a glass, my hand shook the whole time, and I wasn't sure if I could hold it. I thought it maybe the flu but the next day it was gone. I only felt mildly dizzy and had short periods when I really had to focus on words and saying them. Normally, flare ups I have had in the past come on slowly, I am down for a day or so, then I feel better a few days latter. This was really intense and I haven't felt that pain in over a year.
My massage therapist asked me about MS and testing. I don't really know if I have the symptoms and I am confused as to what they are. What are the basic things/ syptoms that I should look for or talk to my doctor about?
Appreciate any help.
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MSNik
11-15-2007, 08:19 PM
Hi Gunner. First, Im sorry to hear you are having such pain and unusual symtoms and we are happy to answer any questions we can answer for you. However, Im not hearing MS like symptoms. MS is a disease which affects nerves in the Central Nervous System. It generally starts out with a numbness or tingling of a limb (usually the hands or feet) and doesnt travel around...although subsequent attacks can lead to numbness in other parts of the body. Another typical MS symptom is Optical Neuritis, inflammation of the optic nerve. This would be noticable without any doubt! Generally one will lose peripheral vision, or complete blindness, a lesser case scenario would be pain behind the eye accompanied by color vision loss...
Many of your symptoms which you describe, joint pain, not being able to sleep due to pain, even muscle aches, are NOT MS symptoms, however a few you mention, fatigue, shakiness and even dizziness can be MS related, but are also related to every other neurological disease, as well as the simple Flu.
MS is diagnosed by ruling out all other diseases, Fibro and Lupus being two big ones, Lyme also being important. MS is usually diagnosed by lesions on the brain (via MRI) and sometimes a spinal tap- on occasion, nerve conduction tests are preformed as well if the other tests are not conclusive.
You can certainly speak to your rheumy about sending you to a neuro for evaluation, however Im not really seeing signs of MS here. Have you ever had a MRI of the brain or spinal column? You wont find signs of MS in any blood work...
Good Luck and I hope you start to feel better soon.
MSNik
Many of your symptoms which you describe, joint pain, not being able to sleep due to pain, even muscle aches, are NOT MS symptoms, however a few you mention, fatigue, shakiness and even dizziness can be MS related, but are also related to every other neurological disease, as well as the simple Flu.
MS is diagnosed by ruling out all other diseases, Fibro and Lupus being two big ones, Lyme also being important. MS is usually diagnosed by lesions on the brain (via MRI) and sometimes a spinal tap- on occasion, nerve conduction tests are preformed as well if the other tests are not conclusive.
You can certainly speak to your rheumy about sending you to a neuro for evaluation, however Im not really seeing signs of MS here. Have you ever had a MRI of the brain or spinal column? You wont find signs of MS in any blood work...
Good Luck and I hope you start to feel better soon.
MSNik
gunner00
11-15-2007, 08:54 PM
Haven't had a MRI of brain.
I don't think it is MS but this last flare up was so unusual with the muscle control issue, shaking, and dizziness that it had me wondering what the symptoms of MS are.
I have been trying to figure out what is causing all these issues for a couple of years now. I haven't really gotten any concrete answers.
I haven't had any neurolgical problems as far as numbness that you mentioned.
I am in the process of finding a new GP doc so maybe I can run through all this stuff again when I have that appointment.
Thanks for the info - MSNik
I don't think it is MS but this last flare up was so unusual with the muscle control issue, shaking, and dizziness that it had me wondering what the symptoms of MS are.
I have been trying to figure out what is causing all these issues for a couple of years now. I haven't really gotten any concrete answers.
I haven't had any neurolgical problems as far as numbness that you mentioned.
I am in the process of finding a new GP doc so maybe I can run through all this stuff again when I have that appointment.
Thanks for the info - MSNik
Bearygood
11-15-2007, 09:13 PM
I hope you find a good GP, gunner. These can all be mysterious diseases and difficult to dx. I do know of one person on another board who was originally dxed with Lupus and went on to discover that she had been mis-dxed and really had MS. (She was actually the subject of a "Mystery Diagnosis" episode on TV.) At any rate, it's good you're bringing these concerns to light and I hope you get answers soon! Keep us posted and feel better!
MSNik
11-15-2007, 09:35 PM
Gunner, wishing you well in your search for a new GP and please do follow up. As Bearygood said, things are misdiagnosed many times...however, I think you are correct that this doesnt sound Neurological as much as more Lupus like..
Whatever it is, feel free to ask any questions here and know that we care about you and your pain....
Please try to have only good days ahead!
Nik
Whatever it is, feel free to ask any questions here and know that we care about you and your pain....
Please try to have only good days ahead!
Nik