A question - Fibromyalgia Message Board

pbliss · 07-17-2001, 11:31 AM

Hello. I am brand new here so I don't know if this has been asked or not. My question is about the pressure points you always hear about with FMS.

I was told by a Rheumatologist at Ohio State University (Dr. Gray) that I did not have FMS because I only had tenderness in 4 of 18 spots. She suggested that my symptoms were consistent with FMS but since I did not have tenderness in 11 spots, It was likely I had Lyme or MS or something else.

A few months later, after another flareup a Neuro at OSU(Forgot his name) does an autonomic nervous system test and it comes back all wacked out and he does the pressure point test and I had 5 this time. He says it is FMS because of the autonomic test. He said it was not MS because I had feeling in my feet and I could stand on my tippy toes and my VEP was normal.

I gave up. That was 2 years ago and I had only one minor relapse last year. Until recently everything was great. Just recently another flare up came about and this time, I lost strength in my left leg. I lost strength in my right leg 2 years ago and never got it all back.

So how important is this 11 point test? I hear that is required to dx FMS. Is that true?

Phil from Ohio.

Mamanell · 07-17-2001, 02:34 PM

Frustrating, isn't it! I just came from yet another doctor (another rheumatologist) because I was not quite accepting the diagnosis of fibro. I wanted them to find something that could be fixed. Both my regular M.D. and the last rheumatologist diagnosed fibro even though I only had 6 of the 11 pressure points.

Well, this new doc is telling me it's not fibro, that it's myofacial pain syndrome. He says that is the same thing as fibro without the pressure points and that all of it is just a lump of symptoms that doctors gave these names to because they didn't fit any diagnosis available.

Now, I'm even more frustrated and confused. I was told at first that I had fibro and MPS. Now they're telling me it's the same thing.

Geesh! I think I'll go ask my dog what's wrong with me. At least he'll act like he cares.

Sorry Phil, I didn't mean to dump on you. You just happened to be the first one on the board. I would be very intersted in hearing the answer to your question. Anybody out there that can help us, please do.

Chin halfway up!

Nell

Allen · 07-17-2001, 02:42 PM

Hi guys: I believe that the pressure pts are not fixed in location or number. They can change from exam to exam so a final determination would have to take into account other issues(ruling out diseases that mimic Fibro, watching for sleep disorder, fatigue, all-over muscle pain,etc.). You may need a 2nd opinion. God bless, Al

hope21 · 07-17-2001, 02:57 PM

Phil,

What is an autonomic nervous system test and what does it test for? Is this a test they use after someone has a stroke?

As to the strength loss, I myself lost strength and reflex in my entire right side, but I thought it was due to the post concussion syndrome I'm currently experiencing. I was told it could be a pinched nerve or swelling, but would most likely go away. I never thought it was directly related to FMS.

As to the pressure points, I was diagnosed with 18 of 18. In my case, they have a tendency to move around and come and go (if that makes any sense).

Best of luck!
Hope

pbliss · 07-17-2001, 03:01 PM

Thanks for the replies.

I have heard so many conflicting stories about the pressure points. The other thing is there is no joint pain. I had some in my knee at one point, but I also have osgood schlaters in that knee. Anyway, no joint pain.

Just weakness in one leg, the other leg fatigues with excertion. Fatigue in one arm and absolutely no problems at all in the other arm.

Lots of muscle twitching when this flares up too.

That's another question. Is FM relapsing-remitting? Like I said, I went 2 years with only a small 1 week long flare up.

Thanks again for the replies and dump on me whenever you want. I am glad to be a sounding board.