Could this be fibro?
 

Hi,

Am usually on the TBI and headache forums but popping on over here.

I am having such a difficult time with many symptoms, one Dr asked me if anyone in my family has fibromyalgia but i'm adopted so don't know.

Quick story...had severe concussion early last year with physical injuries too, neck, left shoulder and lower back, been through PT, chiro which made it all worse, acupuncture...felt every single needle in my left lower back and left neck area, massage is the only thing I am in right now.

I have 2 different kinds of pain I guess, one is my neck has a herniated disc so pain all around neck going in to my left shoulder and down in to my left arm/fingers, Dr's think trapped nerves but can't see that on any MRI, mind you we lie down for MRI's so also told that could be the reason why.

There is also another kind of pain I get and that comes all over my body, both arms, both legs, back, neck...it's a burning pain, this happened yesterday and it was agony, it just feels different to the other kind of pain I can get, I don't feel that intense burning all the time.

I am so beyond frustrated, am having an EMG soon to see if nerves are trapped otherwise the pain I'm told points to muscular.

I hate this, I used to be so active, hiking/mountain climbing and cannot do any of it right now, my day consists of trying to deal with this pain, every movement....just being awake I suppose then any kind of therapy makes it all worse.

Can trauma cause fibromyalgia and are there any tests to do to check?

Yesterday the massage person "thought" this is muscular and was probably in "my head"...ugh!!!! did tell her nope!! it's not!!

Thank you for any help or advice as this is hell.

Oh, I did have a severe concussion and have never been right since, possible seizures too so could this be a factor?

Thank you.

Have you explored our thoracic outlet syndrome forum? TOS for short..
Or perhaps our CRPS/RSD or PN forums for the overall burning pain...

I've read in the past that fibro can come about after a long term /chronic injury, it wears the body down so fibro or something like it set in..

fibro & TOS share a few similar symptoms..

TOS rarely shows on MRI also.
previous whiplash/neck injuries can be a contributing factor to TOS

we must talk! I am getting the same exact symptoms after my head injuries and I'm seeing a doctor right now and going through a whole bunch of tests. EMG was negative and I could balance test and then taking mring. I'm sure they will all be negative lol and I was told I have fibromyalgia to as a result of the brain injury. I don't really believe that. I believe what we have is caused by the brain injury and they don't know the exact mechanism so they say you have fibromyalgia. If we both keep looking maybe we can find the right doctor to have no answer. I wake up with a burning pain in my body especially my arms and legs on the outside and sometimes in the head n shoulders and it stinks lol and I would. I have fibromyalgia. & I get what feels like tremors throughout my body starting in my neck but they could be seizures who knows

Sitke

It may be Fibro.....I did have TOS surgery, had complications,etc. almost 4 years ago, been extremely fatigued since among other surgery related issues since,began having chronic wide pain,been to numerous docs, self searching online and felt that it could be Fibro......finally went to Rheumatologist who has a great success with Fobro & is also an Internist & Pain Management Specialist, so I feel I am in good hands as far as knowledge, etc.

He has prescribed Meds and Myofascial Release Therapy and also a Sleep Study (don't think I have it) however he explained that it can cause Fibro or in my case likely from all the issues from my surgery, etc., it can make fibro pain worse as there is not enough oxygen getting to body tissue & organs.

I believe any person who has trauma from accident or surgery has that potential for getting Fibro. If you look at any of my past posts I also had neck issues initially and arm pain that ultimately led to my need for surgery and also tested positive for MRSA while in the hospital and also tested positive with Mono 6 weeks after surgery, believe me prior to any of these problems was very active & healthy...... now it's been a rough time for me but feel great that I have found someone who has listened to me and is empathetic & starting to get me back on the right track.

Lastly, check out a segment on Dr. Oz show dated 7/23/2013 on Fibro, it is really a great explanation of Fibro and there is a pain management specialist from California who is doing alot of research on Fibro.

Hope this will be helpful for you & others

chloecasey


P.S. just had EMG yesterday, waiting for results

markneil1212

I responded to Sitke above & you might want to view it.

Hi and thank you so much everyone.

Not looked on the TOS forum but will tonight and thank you for the link to Dr Oz, will also take a look tonight.

Hey Mark, that's the thing, if the EMG is negative it's back to square one, i know you've been suffering a long time.

Today I have the pain in my neck, arm, back etc but not the burning I had yesterday, that was beyond awful.

I'm with you, this is definitely from a brain injury, I know you have that "shaking" when you wake up, for me it's when I'm falling asleep, there has to be a connection here.

Am seeing a physiatrist so will ask but nobody so far is certain about what's going on, for sure will let you know if I get some answers.

Yesterday, both legs, arms, hands and tops of feet were burning. :(

I am getting some relief Neurontin at 1800 mgs after a couple of days. maybe it's some sort of chemical/hormone problem resulting from damage to the sleep center of the brain. all I know is it sucks lol Neurontin works to calm down nerve transmitters so it would make sense that it helps. it is so hard for me to get the day started after wwaking up with this.

Sitke

Like markneil1212, I am on Gababetin (Neurontin) & after slowly "uping" the dosage over the last 3 weeks per the Doctors prescription I am at 2400mg. I take it at night ... my symptoms were much worse when I would lay down to go to sleep & I would wake up many times throughout the night in bad nerve pain, now sleep through the night like a baby! ......still wake up in pain and worn out like symptoms especially when I have had an over active day or stress. As an example, yesterday I went for my EMG, I had not previously driven myself to my last appt. (husband had) so I did not allow for time it took me to get lost!! and ultimately find my way to their office, needless to say besides being embarressed, was VERY stressed out!!.....well this morning my body told me what stress does to chronic pain!! & how it will last throughout the day!!

Definitely find a Rheumatologist who is knowledgeable in Fibro as that is who typically evaluates & treats Fibro.

chloecasey