RSI and FMS?? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

Robbieboy · 07-11-2001, 11:40 AM

Hi all, I wonder if you can help me. I'm 25, male and my job is a Software Developer. I have been suffering from burning pains in my forearms(flexors), when I type or use the mouse for, about a year now. In fact I could be losing my job in the very near future.

I have been informed that I could have FMS. I am now getting mild feelings of Restless Leg Syndrome (I'm sleepy as a result and I find it hard to get out of bed in the morinings. This could be due to depression as I cannot type for very long???). It also feels like I have mild IBS. I am very stiff in my shoulders, neck and upper back. Also either tender or trigger points that occur in pairs but don't cause referred pain.

How related are the RSI and FMS in my case assuming I have one or the other??

Thanks in advance.

Rob.

lj-111 · 07-13-2001, 12:42 AM

Rob,

I had the same problem and as a medical transcriptionist it was deadly for that part of my medical career..

My doctor said it could be FM related but, it was most likely a from some sort of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome which can radiate up to the shoulder. I tend to agree because every since I started VIOXX it went away. I mean it was bad too. I lasted only 15-20 minutes typing there at the last before the VIOXX.. It also stopped burning in my butt while sitting there as well. You should try it if you haven't before. I wasn't even able to hang curtains or fold clothes.. 90% of the time it is an arthritic, inflammation type condition that causes that. Also, vitamin B-12 defeciency can cause it too. Try taking some B-12 every day for a couple of weeks too and see if it helps, if not then it is smething else like mine.. I found out about the B-12 deficiency when I was being tested for Lupus etc while being diagnosed for FM.

Like I said, VIOXX is doing wonders for me.. Not too much for the FM, but it stopped the pain you describe..

lj
I almost forgot, VIOXX also helped with the back (upper & lower).. It stopped the stiffness too. I even had to stop playing on my play station.. Not any more.. I still get back get stiff and in some pain sometimes, but it takes hours and hours like 10-12 at the computer before it bothers me much at all.. Every time I forget to take it the Vioxx for more than 1-2 days, it comes back hard and heavy. Thats how I know it is the Vioxx that is stopping it..

Good luck man.. I hate to think of you loosing your job, bro!!

I'll pray for you too!!

[This message has been edited by lj-111 (edited 07-13-2001).]

Robbieboy · 07-13-2001, 05:41 AM

Thanks alot for that advice. Now, I was taking Vioxx but I was only taking it for about 3 weeks. I felt some mild side affects (could have been FM thinking about it now) so I stopped taking them. Then I was given Mobic and tried them for the same amount of time. I don't think I felt much better taking them but maybe I should take them for longer. Also I thought my doctor was just fobbing me off with some med.

But having said that, if it helped you I think I'll give it another try. I'm off right now to get some more.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Thanks and best of luck with your own health.

Rob.

lj-111 · 07-16-2001, 11:59 PM

I also forgot to mention, that when I first started VIOXX it was from my M.D. He gave me 12.5mg. It didn't do much for me at all and I told one of my neurologists and he upped it to 50mg. After the 3rd day, I felt great as far as that was concerned. It also knocks the horrid edge off of my FM when I am out of pain meds too. Just a bit, but a bit is better than nothing. See, people don't realize it, but Vioxx has more than an anti inflammatory, it also has analgesic properties in it too. It is prescribed for toothe pain, cramps and a host of other pains besides arthritic type pain. I too had side affects from the VIOXX at first and after a few weeks it went away. It made me barf once or twice and left a bad taste in my mouth too. It all left after the first few weeks. Now my M.D. is mad at me for getting the 50mg. He said it is too much for my stomach due to my other problems like GERD & hiatal hernia. We compromised and now I take 25mg. Well, he thinks I compromised, I just take 2 of em'.. Ha Ha.. Man he'd be mad.. But, I can get 50mg all day long with my neurologist if I want too anyway, so whats the dif? I do try and take just the 25mg every 3-4th day. But there is such a huge difference in the pain relief when I take 50mg as opposed to 25mg and with the 12.5mg I may as well have taken placebo because the 12.5mg didn't do a thing for the pain you describe. I tried Mobic too, it helped a tiny bit. You can also try rubbing Flexall 4 with aloe all over your arms before going at the COMP too.

Lisa