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Posted 4/25/2011 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Did all or many of you have to get a MRI or CT scan before your diagnosis to rule out other problems?
Thanks in advance
Xx Stevie xx
Posted 4/25/2011 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
I had every test imaginable. MRI's, CT scans, EMG's, stress test, tilt table test, blood tests...you name it I had it done.
Posted 4/25/2011 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I have been poke and proded for so many things I don't even remember all the test. I know one night I was in ER with a pulse of 180. They ran a ton of test that night - including one that invovled dye and a scan. My blood test is posstive for myastina gravis, but they say it not that. They did a test where they stabbed me with pins to see what my nerves did. I had a ton of x-rays - surprised I am not radioactive :P I have EKGs all the time. That all I can remember right now.
Posted 4/25/2011 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
I had lots of blood work done to rule out things like thyroid problems, but never had an MRI or CT to get fibro dx.
Posted 4/25/2011 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
See I have had what I consider to be a loose diagnosis.I have had tons of bloodwork and triggerpoint tests. Also reflex and neuro exams.. But not an MRI.. I guess I worry about my symptoms mimicking MS (I am a worrier lol)
Posted 4/25/2011 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
No, not a worrier. When I first started getting noticeable symptoms of fibro, I thought the same thing - MS. So my doc sent me for a MRI of my head and it came out clear.
Posted 4/25/2011 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
I have had it all. NO joke! I was sick with all these problems that FM gives you. I would complaine all the time so they did so many test all the scans you could think of. I have had multiple hospitilizations and most came out normal. I started haveing seizures and my MRI was bad. It has only been this year that I have put all these symptoms together and I realized it's my FM. My Dr.s didn't even fiqure this out. I had to find this forum and read the book to catch on. I am kind of angry with my dr's not putting these puzzle together. I actually been doing better now knowing what is going on with by body. I am taking care of myself and resting.
Posted 4/25/2011 7:15 AM (GMT 0)
I know what you mean!! Mine kept getting swept under the rug as panic attacks and anxiety.... Which I'm sure it is to some extent
Posted 4/25/2011 10:25 AM (GMT 0)
I've had all these tests too, over the last 4 yrs or so.  A brain MRI, cervical MRI, abdominal MRI, 2 or 3 CT's, several EMG's with needles and without (this is a test they do for neuropathy, it tests the reaction of the nerves to the electrical shock, so much fun shocked ), 2 weeks ago I had 22 x-rays and so much blood work I am surprised I didn't need a refill! smilewinkgrin

When I went to the rhuemy, I took the results of all my other tests with me simply because I knew he would want an MRI if I didn't already have one!  Good thinking huh? smilewinkgrin Occasionally my brain works!

Posted 4/25/2011 11:07 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't.  I've had one MRI but that was to see if I had a brain tumor when my hearing plummeted.  I've have probably 15 CT scans but they have all been from Crohn's disease.

 

Sherrine

Posted 4/25/2011 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
I did not have any tests at all besides blood tests to rule out Lupus and RA; both came out negative. In reading all of your posts, I wonder if my doctor should have ordered more tests to make absolute sure that what I have is Fibro and not something else. The medications he's given me have not helped at all. I also have Hypothyroidism; my level was a 20 and its not supposed to be higher than a 5. Well, we finally got my level down to 3.68 and I still feel like crap all the time. My Rheum doctor said I should feel better once we got my Thyroid under control; that didn't happen. I still have no energy, I'm exhausted all the time no matter how much sleep or rest I get. I am in constant 24/7 pain (on a scale of 1 - 10, my pain level is a 10 most days; on a good day its only 7). Im having problems with my left shoulder now as well, I think I've torn something in the socket part of my shoulder. Its hard to move it away from my body (if that makes sense). I go to my Rheum doctor this Thursday, should I ask him to do more testing to make sure I don't have something else besides Fibro or in addition to Fibro? Ugh....my anxiety level is through the roof today; good thing I'm not going to work today.....

Sorry about the rambling, I appreciate all who reads this and understands me. I feel like I'm alone in this cold cruel Fibro world sometimes........

:( Jen
Posted 4/25/2011 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have had a lot of tests too. An mri, cat scans, ultrasounds, blood work and more blood work. I have fibro, b-12 def., iron def., and have had thyroid/with cancer out.

I have the normal fibro aches and pains and fatigue but when I got that severe fatigue, that lack of desire to do ANYTHING, I knew something else was wrong. That is when they discovered the b-12 def and on another occassion discovered the iron def. If anyone has fatigue beyond the fibro normal, I would suggest that you get the b-12 checked - most doctors do not think to check this. (this is especially important if you had the gastric bypass or are strick vegetarian)
Posted 4/25/2011 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, MRI brain and neck (MS), blood tests, EMG (thought I had a rare disorder of some kind)... had B12 and Iron checked etc...

I would say it's pretty normal to rule everything out, esp things like MS
Posted 4/26/2011 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
for those who worry about it being MS here is a test you can take at home. If you can take a hot shower without feelling like you are going to pass out then you probably not MS. In the old days before MRI's that is how they would test for MS.

Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 4/27/2011 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
I had an MRI to rule out MS due to several symptoms I was having. Seeing as how you're concerned about MS, have you talked to your doc about it? Maybe he can set your mind at ease as to their thought process behind not testing for MS thus far.

sotiredoffibro-I can't take hot showers because I overheat easily and I do feel like I'm going to pass out if the water's too hot. What does the heat have to do with MS?
Posted 4/27/2011 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
I had lots of scans and blood tests. Pain was one of my last symptoms to present itself so the Drs were really scratching their heads for a long time. I had neck and back MRIs to rule out pinched nerves, brain CT and MRIs to rule out tumors/MS, EMGs to rule out muscular problems, lots and lots of bloodwork ranging from normal CBCs, to lyme testing multiple times, to STD panels, to autoimmune disorders, to any diseases that ran in my family (even though I had been tested for some before) and lastly genetic testing. The Drs literally ruled EVERYTHING out because my symptoms presented themselves so strangely in the beginning. There were cardiac, neurological, rheumotological and gastro problems and no one could figure anything out in the beginning. Once the pain came it tied everything together.

It was determined that I had a virus that caused the Fibro.

I still am sent for brain MRIs and cardiac testing during flares when symptoms seem strange and act up. The cardiac testing will be annual from now on (even though I'm not even 30) and MRIs and scans will be as needed to make sure other conditions are coming on. Bloodwork always seems to be more extensive then it needs to be, but I guess everyone feels that it's better to be safe than sorry.
Posted 4/27/2011 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
I also have endured a variety of tests from blood workups to CT scan HIDA, MRI, ultrasound. Of course they found a few other problems but because of my joint and muscular pain with hardly any inflammation I was sent to rheum Dr and she diagnosed FM.
Posted 4/27/2011 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I was sent to a neurologist who did a physical exam to rule out MS, had already been tested for lupus and blood work for other stuff to rule out. I have had MRI's since with & without dye to check for Charie (sp?) malformation in my neck - they found a bunch of other stuff in there but not that. Had tons of stuff since & discovered a bunch of other stuff but that was what was done in the beginning 15 years ago that resulted in the Fibro/CFS dx.

(Apparently 'stuff' is the word of the day for me :)

Posted 4/28/2011 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi evenkeel, The heat in the shower is because people with MS cannot handle heat it saps them of any energy they have. I love a really warm shower but my husband has to have luke warm showers because of his MS. Summers take everything out of him. He cant be outside more than a few minutes at a time. I thank God for our central air conditioning because I know he couldn't handle the summers without them.
I threw that in here to help some people rule out MS. Im not sure whether you can have the heat problem without having MS that is something you might want to talk to your doctor about.

Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 4/28/2011 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
No, I never had an MRI to diagnose fibro. I was diagnosed in the seventies and I was 28. I am now 59 and have had symptoms that have gotten worse over the years. I see a pain specialist every month and am on oxycodone and lyrica for the pain now.

Hope that answers your question and helps somewhat.

God bless.

Lindaloo
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