Not for sure if this is what I have or not?? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

Emaria · 03-29-2005, 08:47 AM

Hi everyone. I've posted a few times on the board here, but not in this topic. I have been trying to find out what is the world is wrong with me. I have felt bad for over 3 years now and I'm tired of everyone telling me that it is all in my head, I'm just lazy or that I'm being a hypochondriac.

I am basically a healthy person other than I have mitral valve prolapse and it is very mild. I have regular check ups with my cardiologist. My cholesterol is fine. My blood pressure is fine although usually on the low side. I do not drink or smoke and I am not overweight. Could stand to lose about 5 lbs or so but definately not overweight. LOL!

It has started with a pain in my left side under my arm and my left breast. I have had a mammogram, ultrasound and bone scan done and everything came back ok. My dr. basically said it was from acid reflux and that is what he diagnosed me with.
I have lived with this pain for at least 3 years and it has never gotten any better. Over the last year it has gotten worse at times and I find myself tired all the time. I can't do the things that I once used to do. I loved playing and wrestling with the kids. Jumping on the trampoline or just enjoying taking my dog for a walk. Even sex has become a chore to me. I just don't have the energy. I'm 38 years old and sometimes I feel like I'm 88!
My arms have hurt so bad this week. It feels like I have bruises on them but I don't and I haven' hit them or bumped them on anything. My legs hurt like I have mentrual cramps but I don't.
Last thursday I went to the ER because my chest hurt and down my left side and into my left hip. They did a chest xray and an EKG along with some blood work. Everything came back fine and it wasn't my heart. The dr. said he had no clue what was wrong with me. They gave me a shot for the pain and sent me on my way. When I got there I was shaking so bad I couldn't even sign my own name on the admittance form.
The next day I drove to my sisters which is about a 40 minute drive one way. On my way home I stopped at Wally World. Boy was that a mistake. My legs almost gave out on me., I would've went down if I hadn't been holding onto the cart. When I got home I climbed into bed and stayed there. I didn't do much of anything on Saturday either. Easter Sunday I felt a little better but still kinda weak.
The past couple of days I just hurt so bad and nothing helps.
I also have major tension in my neck and shoulders all the time.
Sometimes at night if I wake up I feel like I am embedded in the mattress and each limb weighs about 100 lbs. There have even been days where it is a chore to lift my coffee mug.

Sorry this is so long and drawn out. I'm going to the doctor this afternoon. Hopefully he will listen to me and not continue to say that I am depressed and put me on something like Paxil. I have a very low tolerence to medications.

Emaria · 03-29-2005, 09:25 AM

I also forgot to say that both sides of my ribs are very tender and sore most of the time. I also have slight dizzy spells at times. Just where I feel kinda light headed or DUH headed as I say. Sometimes I can trip over my own feet. LOL!

It just sucks when you can't plan on doing anything, even going out to dinner because you don't know how you'll feel or if you'll be able to make it through the dinner.

k9stylist · 03-29-2005, 09:27 AM

I can't help much as I do not have a diagnosis yet either. But i can surely rleate to mosy of your symptoms. I have been hospitalized twice for what htye thought may be cardiac related. So far they can only tell me I have Atypical Facial Pain. No help for the neck, shoulder arm trouble, except sometimes the chiro can give me some relief. Hang in there, help is out there somewhere. It has to be, we can't have to live like this the rest of our lives. Best wishes for a quick and helpful diagnosis.

Emaria · 03-29-2005, 09:29 AM

thank you K9stylist.
I go to a chiro on a regular basis but sometimes it makes me feel worse, espcially my ribs.

SuzU · 03-29-2005, 10:02 AM

Emaria-
I have had all of your symptoms, particularly the legs giving out part and the chest pain, as well as the sensation of being "embedded" in my mattress. (Good description-I'll have to borrow that someday.)

In addition, I've had the pain in breast, under-arm area, shaking, plus about a gazillion others (like bladder burning, frequency, numbness, tingling, etc)
and I've been worked up for multiple sclerosis with MRI's, spinal tap, evoked potentials-so far everything negative. (Though I'm having the MRI's repeated because there is a lesion on my neck that the doctor wants to make sure isn't MS.)

If you have had a full MS and auto-immune work up (to rule out stuff like lupus, etc,) it is possible that this is all related to FMS and/or Chronic Myofascial Pain syndrome. Isn't there a post about a connection between mitral valve prolapse and FM? I find it interesting, because two of my sisters have MVP and my mother did also-yet I've had several echo-cardiograms which have all been negative.

I would pursue a good MS work up in a reputable hospital with an MS specialist, just so you can put that all behind you.

I'm 38 as well.

Blessings, hope you get to the bottom of all of this.