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Posted 11/2/2008 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
I am new to the diagnosis of fibro (1.5 years) and had not previously had pain in my feet and difficulty closing my hands around small things. For several weeks now the bottom of my feet feel like they are rounded-and lots of pain in the pads. Same is true now of my hands-major pain in the pads and my fingers won't close. I am having difficulty driving a car since my hands can't keep a tight enough grip on the steering wheel. This is all new to the more common lists of pains and symptoms I have associated with fibro. Is it fibro in another form?
Posted 11/2/2008 11:44 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Susan C and welcome to the forum!

I also started having pain in my hands and feet about a year after being dx with fibro. When I was first dx by my PCP, I was having mostly back and shoulder pain. Then I started having pain in my hands and feet just as you describe. I have had all of the bloodwork to check for RA, lupus, Vit. D deficiency, etc. and everything was normal. My PCP referred me to a rheumatologist which confirmed the fibro dx but said that I have 3 criteria out of 7 for RA (4 is needed for a dx). So, the plan is that my PCP will periodically check my bloodwork to make sure that I am not dealing with RA as well as fibro. Have you seen a rheumatologist?

I am not sure how much this helped but I wanted you to know that you are not alone. This is a great place to be with wonderful, knowledgeable people. If you haven't already, make sure that you check out the Fibro 101 thread. There is some great info there.

Hope that you will feel better soon...

(((soft hugs)))

Cyndi

Posted 11/2/2008 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
thank you Cyndi for your response. It is so wonderful to have this connection with others who know so much more than I-and the generous spirit. Have not seen a rheumatologist since day of fibro diagnosis-they do not follow fibro patients but did dx. Thank you_again!
Posted 11/2/2008 12:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Susan,

I noticed that when I sit at the computer I get a pain in my feet, but it is a burning pain. Is yours like that? Mine might be to circulation, mine isn't that good. But the burning pain wont subside until I lift that part of my foot off of the floor. Will have to talk to the doc about that.

Best wishes for a wonderful day

Hugs, Karen
Posted 11/2/2008 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
(this is like magic having people reading and responding. Now I want to ask more!!!)

In response to your question, no, mine is not a burning pain- I would describe it more as tender to put weight on my feet or like stepping onto a marble and feeling a stone bruising reaction. I would never pass a sobriety test walking a straight line as my fine motor skills are what seem to be lapsing. is that at all like yours? I plan to meet with my neurologist mid December to inquire about the recent loss of fine muscle tone in hands and feet ( I have a benign brain tumor and always wonder if fibro or neuro is causing symptoms). Thanks you again for sharing about yours and best wishes.

Since I am seizing the moment to get better educated, wonder about chronic chest discomfort. My doctors have ignored that symptom once they determined there was not an aneurism going on or something more serious. ( FYI-my health crisis occurred over a few days out of the total blue! with emergency level blood pressure and muscle weakness and I had always had bragging rights about low blood pressure and overall health. Know I am a former college athlete, over achiever with my own businesses and with an artistic side that exposed me to chemical solvents for many years.. During crisis, discovered benign tumor/menangioma of the brain which complicated DX and I had all the nervous system disorders you would expect and the list was embarassingly long of symptomology. I got so sick, so suddenly, to the point I could not sit up in a chair long, drive the car. Then contracted MRSA and was just plain sick for a year. Now back to doing many of the things I used to do but with the discomfort of chronic pain and negotiable fatigue. Doctors have worn me out so that I stopped going to them once fibro diagnosed and I just keep up periodically with neurologist and neuro surgeon.

Would like to hear from any of you with insights regarding what I have shared. Also things like vitamin D deficiency, and other parallel things to consider. Any thoughts anyone? I take 150 mg Lyrica and 150mg effexor and nighttime dose of ambien)
Posted 11/2/2008 4:45 PM (GMT 0)

Hi, Susan, and welcome to the fibromyalgia forum!  Well, I have pain in my hands.  I can close my hand in a fist but not a tight fist.  When I try to open my hand some of my fingers "stick" and I have to manually straighten them out.  Also, my fingers will make a popping sound when opening my hand. 

I have a swollen toe and the pad underneath that toe is very tender and it does feel like I have a stone in my shoe.  My doctor "thinks" it's gouty arthritis.  I have a feeling that I have some arthritis along with the fibro but havn't been to a rheumy to get diagnosed.  They can't do any more than what I'm doing now so I just ignore it.  I do take ibuprofen and Tylenol and it does help me.

Also, I have the chest pain and also rib pain.  (Are you a long lost sister of mine?  smilewinkgrin )  This is called costochondritis.  I, too, had a lot of heart tests to make sure it wasn't my heart.  Today, for example, we have rain coming in the area.  I really hurt today and it hurts to breathe.  My rib cage hurts, too.  Ibuprofen does help with that too.  But, for me, it flares up with the weather changes.  Some people have costo all of the time.  I don't.

Be sure to check out the Fibro 101 thread...second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro that may help you.  You will find that hot showers or baths and moist heat helps a lot too.  Many have a Bed Buddy that is filled with beans, I think, and you heat it in the microwave and it gives off moist heat.  I have a rice bag that does the same thing.  It gives off heat for about a half an hour and feels very good on those muscles.

In the Fibro 101 thread there is a link to good stretching exercises.  These really do help.  Also, you really need to keep moving with fibro.  Walking is a good exercise along with water exercise, if you have access to a pool.  If the weather is bad, I have a walking-in-place video that I use.  This helps keep you flexible.  The more you sit and lay, the stiffer you will be so keep moving.  And, a positive attitude and a good sense of humor really help with this illness.  turn

Meanwhile, I'm so glad that you found us and joined in.  Read back posts and ask questions.  We are here to help you.  I hope to hear more from you soon!

Sherrine

Posted 11/2/2008 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Susan and welcome to our family. Ask all the questions you want and read back threads, that is how we learn. We even let you vent when you have had enough of this DD.

 

The bottom of my feet get sore if I walk a lot, like I have taken sandpaper to them or walked on burning concrete.

 

I could never walk a straight line either if I was ever pulled over. turn I can't walk across my yard without staggering. I do not drink and I do not take narcotics.

 

I have the rib and chest pain too, many of us do. Bras are a man made torture device to me and only wear one when I have to.

 

I have osteoarthritis in my hands so I can't tell what is fibro and what is arthritis.

 

I went to rheumy the other day and forgot to ask him about my vit D level, I even had it on my list of questions.

 

Sherrine, I'm sorry your having bad weather today. It is 70 and sunny here. devil I really do feel bad about your pain.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 11/2/2008 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Marlee!  I know how compassionate you are towards me.  I'll be compassionate towards you this winter when you are up to  your armpits in snow drifts.  devil    Have a good day!

 

Sherrine

Posted 11/2/2008 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
 I was diagnosed with fibro 6m ago and have recently noticed awful pain in cold and rain. I am also noticing pain in my fingers and feet along with stiffnes. Is this normal? I also wanted to ask if anyone knows if it is a good idea to get the flue shot? I always have because was in the healthcare field until this bloody diesease hit, but now I don't know. Can anyone help/ thanks Sheri M 

  

Posted 11/2/2008 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Marlee, Sherrine and Jhawkfan, thank you. Will start doing some informative reading as suggested. Reading the literature and books on the topic is just not the same. Plus I swear my brain is such mush, I appreciate the instant feedback specific to my situation! Glad I don't need to be worrying if something needs to be investigated further. Don't want to find out I was delinquent following up on something. Strangely,sounds like the norm is this condition takes a lot of turns and shifts on its own mixed up timetable. Just about the time I thought my symptoms were one thing, it starts shifting. No wonder so many doctors question the validity of our symptoms when we are moving targets. You guys are so wonderful; bear hugs softly to all of you.
Posted 11/2/2008 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
You got it Susan, when you get use to a pain or feeling something else shows up. I always run things by the fibromites before I call the doc. We have some weird things happen to us. Yes, it's no wonder some doubt this.

 

Tomorrow is suppose to be 75 Sherrine. I do have compassion for your pain but not your weather. devil But if it makes you feel better I'm hurting tonight too, have no idea why.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

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