Fibro or not? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

mel1977 · 09-02-2007, 12:10 AM

How do I know if I have Fibro or not? My mil is pretty sure I do based on my sx, but I am not so sure. Have seen a Rheum. but this was a couple of years ago and she was even on the fence about it.
See, I had a two level fusion in 2004 and also have a couple bulging discs in my neck. Most of my pain seems to stem from these two things, though my pain is 95% muscular. I don't think my neck bulges are bad enough to warrant much in the way of treatment other than injections, and I assume my fusion is fine. I have some arthritis too, which doesn't help.
My pain med of choice is Ultram-I have been off heavier stuff for over a year now and hope to stay that way, though I keep a small script handy just in case (like ten pills per refill) of percocet or something. I take zanaflex to sleep.I am maxing out on my ultram though, 150 to200mg per dose. I am considering trying the ER form.
Anyway, I guess I just don't know what to do and how to treat this. i had botox in the muscles between my shoulder blades and that really has helped, but........
thanks for listening.

moonbeam24 · 09-02-2007, 10:26 PM

Hi,

I know FMS can occur as a secondary syndrome to bodily trauma like you are describing. Of course I'm not a doctor so I can't say for sure. But sometimes the symptoms overlap with other things--such as myofascial pain. Myofascial pain happens when you develop "trigger" points, these knobbly knots in your fascia (the stuff that covers your muslces) and these knobs refer pain to other areas of your body. So if you have one on your lower arm you might feel pain in your upper arm etc. The two syndromes FMS and Myofascial Pain often occur in someone at the same time--however, Myofascial pain is common in everyone--from athletes to stay at home moms. Myofascia does not come with fatigue, or tender spots, or any of the many symptoms associated with FMS. The good news is if you find the right physical therapist or massage therapists, myofascial trigger points can be worked through--although they might keep coming back because of your other traumas. I don't know if that will help but I hope it does!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel1977

How do I know if I have Fibro or not? My mil is pretty sure I do based on my sx, but I am not so sure. Have seen a Rheum. but this was a couple of years ago and she was even on the fence about it.
See, I had a two level fusion in 2004 and also have a couple bulging discs in my neck. Most of my pain seems to stem from these two things, though my pain is 95% muscular. I don't think my neck bulges are bad enough to warrant much in the way of treatment other than injections, and I assume my fusion is fine. I have some arthritis too, which doesn't help.
My pain med of choice is Ultram-I have been off heavier stuff for over a year now and hope to stay that way, though I keep a small script handy just in case (like ten pills per refill) of percocet or something. I take zanaflex to sleep.I am maxing out on my ultram though, 150 to200mg per dose. I am considering trying the ER form.
Anyway, I guess I just don't know what to do and how to treat this. i had botox in the muscles between my shoulder blades and that really has helped, but........
thanks for listening.

mel1977 · 09-10-2007, 10:53 PM

I appreciate your reply. I never did get the more advanced blood work, my regular levels were fine. I think so much is just related to my back surgery and if I had to break it down it is fatigue and general discomfort, which is basically fibro. i don't know at times if I should even worry about a "diagnosis". I know that I can work out and dance and clean the house, but I can't stand in one place for long. I know that when I get tired, lying down is the only thing I can do. i know that my pain is widespread and varies in type, and that I am usually just really uncomfortable all the time, unless I take the Ultram. I get sad thinking that I have to take a medication for this, but it won't kill me and I guess that is good (versus meds for high blood pressure etc...)(not the med, the condition). I really do think I will do the extended release Ultram, the intermittent massage, maybe some more myofacial release and lord knows I need to start working out again. I am gonna do botox again as well, it really did help.
I appreciate your input and if anyone else has any words of wisdom to pass my way, I'd be more than happy to read it