LMF64
09-09-2008, 12:20 PM
Hello-
I am new here and trying to find an explanation for my pain. About 7 years ago I had a sleep apnea test as I thought I had sleep apnea. They discovered during this test that I never went into Stage 4 sleep during the night- the muscle repairing stage of sleep. They told me I had Fibromyalgia and wanted to know if I wanted to go on medication. I said, no thanks, I am nursing my baby and I don't even have symptoms. (However, my dad and a first cousin had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia years earlier.) Now fastforward 7 years and I think I am having symptoms. My right hip hurts when I wake up every morning and I have pain in one area of my buttocks that makes my leg "tingle" down to my feet. (This goes away if I take ibuprofin.) I was playing mom's hockey one day and the next day my right ankle hurt and I have had recurring pain and nerve "shooting" sensations in it periodically. My left elbow hurt so bad I could barely lift up a plate. I assumed it was bursitis and although that intense pain has gone away, I can still feel it a bit. Last fall my right wrist was in so much pain that I couldn't write with a pencil. This went on for about a month and then that went away also. I was diagnosed with IBS about 5 years ago. My question is: Could I actually have Fibromyalgia? I just brushed the doctor off when they told me this due to my sleep test. Can they determine this from a sleep test?
Any help from you all would be appreciated!
I am new here and trying to find an explanation for my pain. About 7 years ago I had a sleep apnea test as I thought I had sleep apnea. They discovered during this test that I never went into Stage 4 sleep during the night- the muscle repairing stage of sleep. They told me I had Fibromyalgia and wanted to know if I wanted to go on medication. I said, no thanks, I am nursing my baby and I don't even have symptoms. (However, my dad and a first cousin had been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia years earlier.) Now fastforward 7 years and I think I am having symptoms. My right hip hurts when I wake up every morning and I have pain in one area of my buttocks that makes my leg "tingle" down to my feet. (This goes away if I take ibuprofin.) I was playing mom's hockey one day and the next day my right ankle hurt and I have had recurring pain and nerve "shooting" sensations in it periodically. My left elbow hurt so bad I could barely lift up a plate. I assumed it was bursitis and although that intense pain has gone away, I can still feel it a bit. Last fall my right wrist was in so much pain that I couldn't write with a pencil. This went on for about a month and then that went away also. I was diagnosed with IBS about 5 years ago. My question is: Could I actually have Fibromyalgia? I just brushed the doctor off when they told me this due to my sleep test. Can they determine this from a sleep test?
Any help from you all would be appreciated!
Sponsor
sammye
09-09-2008, 05:26 PM
That's interesting. I never heard of them diagnosing fibromyalgia with a sleep test. Fibro runs in the family. The pains you have sound familiar to me.
A lot of people have ibs with fibro. Time to get to the doctor again it sounds like.
A lot of people have ibs with fibro. Time to get to the doctor again it sounds like.
LMF64
09-09-2008, 11:56 PM
Thanks for the reply Sammye. Does the pain from fibro come and go like mine does? Does the pain eventually take over and become constant in all cases? Or are there varying degrees of how bad fibro gets for each individual?
BeHappy2
09-10-2008, 12:27 AM
I also have never heard of a sleep study diagnosing Fibro.
My sleep stages 3 and 4 do not exist.
A Rheumatologist confirmed my Fibro diagnosis.
I would suggest ,schedule appt. with your doctor and then be referred to a Rheumy.
BeHappy2
My sleep stages 3 and 4 do not exist.
A Rheumatologist confirmed my Fibro diagnosis.
I would suggest ,schedule appt. with your doctor and then be referred to a Rheumy.
BeHappy2
sammye
09-10-2008, 01:48 AM
Sure,no problem! It comes and goes and everyone is different with it.
For example I've heard of people who can't stand to even have a bed sheet on them because they hurt so bad. I'm glad I'm not as bad as that. There's people who can't get out of bed at all. If I don't move around it makes it worse for me. I push myself a lot. Keep moving is my motto! Some days the motto changes though and I'll be like OH yeah....here we go. I really appreciate the good days that's for sure.
For example I've heard of people who can't stand to even have a bed sheet on them because they hurt so bad. I'm glad I'm not as bad as that. There's people who can't get out of bed at all. If I don't move around it makes it worse for me. I push myself a lot. Keep moving is my motto! Some days the motto changes though and I'll be like OH yeah....here we go. I really appreciate the good days that's for sure.
Mel52
09-10-2008, 02:15 AM
LMF64, I was diagnosed about 19 years ago with fibromyalgia as a result of breast implant problems. A few years later, I would wake up gasping for air in the middle of the night. Thinking I had sleep apnea I had a sleep study done. I woke up 60 times in 5 hours. I thought I only woke up 5 times. I too did not get to stage 3 or 4 sleep which is necessary to restore muscle. At the bottom of the test results, it was stated this was consistant with fibromyalgia.
A few years ago I went to a new internist. When I mentioned I had fibromyalgia, he made a face and scoffed. He was scanning my medical records. When he saw the sleep study result he made the comment, "Oh you really do have fibromyalgia." I didn't keep him too long as my doctor. Oh and as for the waking up gasping, it wasn't apnea, it was GERD.
A few years ago I went to a new internist. When I mentioned I had fibromyalgia, he made a face and scoffed. He was scanning my medical records. When he saw the sleep study result he made the comment, "Oh you really do have fibromyalgia." I didn't keep him too long as my doctor. Oh and as for the waking up gasping, it wasn't apnea, it was GERD.
Paddy55
09-10-2008, 10:09 AM
LMF - I just wanted to comment that folks with fibro have to be aware that even though we have fibro, other injuries/accidents/health problems will occur. For example, your ankle problem could be related to the sports injury, and need early treatment, such as ice, massage etc. So even when we have fibro, we have to stay aware and make sure that acute problems are dealt with - every pain in our bodies is not necessarily fibro. Same with the elbow. did you strain it? maybe it's an injury too.
The issue of the sleep apnea test - sounds like it may be a very reliable test for the presence of fibro. Right now, there are no scientific tests, just tender point tests by hand, and careful study of medical history, that reliably confirm fibro. But lack of "restorative sleep" - stage 4 sleep - is understood to be one of the causes/indicators of fibro.
At the present time, your primary doctor would be who would diagnose you with fibro, and if she does not clarify one way or the other, then you should ask for a referral to a rheumatologist.
Wishing you peace and comfort,
Paddy
The issue of the sleep apnea test - sounds like it may be a very reliable test for the presence of fibro. Right now, there are no scientific tests, just tender point tests by hand, and careful study of medical history, that reliably confirm fibro. But lack of "restorative sleep" - stage 4 sleep - is understood to be one of the causes/indicators of fibro.
At the present time, your primary doctor would be who would diagnose you with fibro, and if she does not clarify one way or the other, then you should ask for a referral to a rheumatologist.
Wishing you peace and comfort,
Paddy
LMF64
09-10-2008, 04:25 PM
Thanks for all of the information ladies. It has been very helpful! Mel52- It was good to hear that someone else was diagnosed with fibro the same way they told me I supposedly had it. (Maybe they were right?!) Thanks Paddy55 for the mention of being aware that actually injuries can still occur!
I would bet that is what my ankle pain was, although it didn't start hurting until about a week after I skated. Then the nerve pain starting about a month after that. (I probably damaged a nerve or something?) Anyways, the elbow pain was not from any kind of injury or strain that I was aware of, it just came on one day. Same as the wrist and hip pain. I have been plagued with tension headaches for years, but just chalked that up to having 4 kids in 7 years! (Probably has something to do with it!) I have a dr. appt on Tuesday so I will see what they say then. In the meantime, thanks to all of you for the input. It has helped calm my nerves a bit as you know how our minds can wander.....
I would bet that is what my ankle pain was, although it didn't start hurting until about a week after I skated. Then the nerve pain starting about a month after that. (I probably damaged a nerve or something?) Anyways, the elbow pain was not from any kind of injury or strain that I was aware of, it just came on one day. Same as the wrist and hip pain. I have been plagued with tension headaches for years, but just chalked that up to having 4 kids in 7 years! (Probably has something to do with it!) I have a dr. appt on Tuesday so I will see what they say then. In the meantime, thanks to all of you for the input. It has helped calm my nerves a bit as you know how our minds can wander.....
jessbcuz10
09-10-2008, 11:14 PM
That's interesting. I never heard of them diagnosing fibromyalgia with a sleep test. Fibro runs in the family. The pains you have sound familiar to me.
A lot of people have ibs with fibro. Time to get to the doctor again it sounds like.
See now I am the only one in my family to ever have fibromyalgia. They chalked mine up to a neck and upper back injury when I was 19 and having Lymes disease when I was 23.
Yes I get muscle twinges, RLS etc.......
A lot of people have ibs with fibro. Time to get to the doctor again it sounds like.
See now I am the only one in my family to ever have fibromyalgia. They chalked mine up to a neck and upper back injury when I was 19 and having Lymes disease when I was 23.
Yes I get muscle twinges, RLS etc.......
sammye
09-11-2008, 03:24 AM
That's what I read that it can run in the family. I have a cousin who has it.
So, I don't know if it was factual or coincidence.
So, I don't know if it was factual or coincidence.
LMF64
09-11-2008, 11:02 AM
Wow! I just researched fibromyalgia a bit and I think I have every symptom listed! It does state that you may be more likely to develop it if you have a relative that has it. It also states that stress and hormonal changes may be possible causes. (I think I have started peri-menopause, so this could be the reason my symptoms seem to be worse at this point in my life??) I have the widespread pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances, IBS, headaches (I also have had TMJ since I was in my mid 20's), and I have always had heightened sensitivity to noises, lights, odors and touch.