Hello everyone. I am new here. I have been dealing with chronic pain for 6 months and was just recently diagnosed with myofascial pain syndrome of the abdomen. I don't guess I have any specific questions, but I do need support.
Here is my story:
I am an avid runner. I run marathons. I am a sub-elite and my times are good enough that I can potentially qualify for the Olympic trials in 2016. Six months ago, I had a baby. During my pregnancy, I continued to run up until about 7 months. Never had any problems. I ceased running because it just became too uncomfortable with the big belly. I delivered a healthy baby boy vaginally with no intervention (completely natural birth) and no complications.
About a month after he was born, I resumed running. During my very first run, I noticed some stitch-like abdominal pain in my right side. I'd never had it before, and blamed it on the post-partum body. But it kept happening. I took two weeks off, went back to running, and it happened again.
From that point, it progressed to a constant ache in my upper right abdomen/radiating to my right lower back. I continued to run, but the pain was getting much worse while running and while at rest. I went to the doctor, and he suspected gallbladder. All tests were negative. I also had a CT and colonosocpy--nothing. They told me to rest and that it would get better.
I rested, and it was no better. It hurt all the time. It started spreading to my left side and my shoulders when I run. I'm in constant pain now. I finally saw a chiropractor who diagnosed me with myofascial pain syndrome. I've had some massage therapy, but I'm still in pain. Anyone have any success with any other treatments? Are there medications?
MRI is very important.X-ra shows bones in the spine and some indication of disc height. MRI shows all the rest of the spine structure including discs, muscles, etc.
I was diagnosed with MPS 15 years ago after a severe car accident. I was diagnosed by a reknowned neurologist and was told I couldn't be "fixed" they could only try to make me more comfortable. Over the years I have had trigger point injections and epidurals, biofeedback, different drug cocktails, etc. After a few years the drugs tore up my stomach and I was started on Fentanyl patches. They made a big improvement in my quality of life. I have been on them for about 4 years and am now being weaned off of them because I just had a spinal cord stimulater implanted. I have accepted that my life is permanently changed and I use a variety of things to deal with the pain: therapeutic massage, imagery, light yoga, warm baths, as well as the drugs and SCS.
I am sorry to hear about your problems. And the first thing I would do is go to a neuro to confirm the diagnosis because you will need a lot more help than a chiropracter can offer. It's sounds like you're an achiever so you may also need to see a pain management psychiatrist to deal with the life changes you're going to be dealing with.
The good news is: I have seen a lot of improvement in the acceptance and treatment of MPS.
The old tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline or nortriptyline can help, if taken in a low dose (25-75mg) at bedtime. Nortriptyline usualy causes fewer side effects. Some people find antiinflamatories like naproxen or meloxicam or even simple Advil helpful. Baclofen and pregabalin have been found to help others.
I would suggest seeing your regular doctor rather than relying on a chiropractor for diagnosis and treatment - some of them can be a little dodgey (let me guess, as part of the diagnosis, you need a prolonged course of massage/adjustments)
Wikipedia has a short, easy to understand article on the problem.
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The desire to take medicines is what seperates man from the lower animals - William Ostler
I would go to a few more doctors who can run some more tests. Not saying that the chiropractor isn't right, but I would want to get a confirmation from an MD or from a specialist as well.
You could go to a physiatrist. I agree that it would be good to get an MRI. There are many types of medications that can control myofacial pain including muscle relaxers, opiates, etc.
i have myofascial pain. have had several cortisteroid injections for trigger points in shoulders, neck, and legs recently- in addition to the meds i take which do minimal relief.
i have not heard of anyone having it in their abdomen before, but that does not mean it does not happen.
like others say, see your primary doctor - a chiro is the wrong dr to be diagnosing mps of the abdomen.
i have multiple health issues of the spine and other problems, and people ask me alot if i have seen a chiropractor, nope ! and i wont either. my pain dr which is also a neurologist told me not to go to one either, as their methods could make my spine problems worse...
good luck with this, i wish i could be of more assist
