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Does this sound like fibro to you?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 5/18/2011 6:29 AM (GMT 0)
My husband has severe pain in a lot of places. The first one that seemed to start it all was in his middle back, right on his spine. He has had so many tests it's not even funny, and nothing showed up wrong.

Last November, we were both under a lot of stress because we had run out of money and were about to have to leave our (rented) home. about that time, he started having episodes that kind of look like stroke with dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, limpness of arms and legs, numbness in the hands, feet and lips, slurred speech, speaking gibberish, blurred vision, and a "heavy-headed" feeling.

Today, he was having some of these symptoms along with severe muscle twitches in his arms, legs, and neck. He said that all of his muscles felt like they were on fire.

And yet his doctor (who saw some of this today) says he's faking it!

We need answers, badly!
Posted 5/18/2011 10:18 AM (GMT 0)
My first thought...go to a new doctor.  I have a very good friend whom is very depressed and needs something for the depression, yet our PCP doesn't feel he's in need of meds.  Of course, when my friend goes to the doc, he laughs and jokes with him about guitar's and knives and doesn't let his true self show...that's his mistake, not the doctor's.

Your husband may benefit from seeing someone else...they will at least run some tests.  I know it's difficult when you know something is going on and the doctor disappoints you.  It has happened many times to me.  I think I have had fibro for 20 if not 30 yrs and I was diangosed in March.

Don't give up.

Posted 5/18/2011 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ransomed, I agree with Deb it is definitely time for a second opinion. He needs to have an MRI done to rule out Multiple Sclerosis for sure. My Husband has MS and some of what you wrote sounds very familiar. Try to get him in to see a neurologist.

Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 5/18/2011 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
I think he was tested for MS a while back (after, or at least no more than two months before) his first attack. And nothing showed up. What kind of MRI would be needed (i.e. where)?
Posted 5/18/2011 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
He has had a few CT scans of his brain. Would these show it?
Posted 5/18/2011 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
I dont think so but not sure. I have only heard of MRI's being done for MS. I could be wrong on it being MS I am not a dr. Just think there is definitely something wrong.
I hope you find a Dr. who is more understanding.

Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 5/18/2011 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Okay - a more generalized question since nobody knows exactly what it is.

Who do you go to when you have a mystery condition like this? I've looked for fibro doctors in my area but have found none. The mention of MS makes me think a neurosurgeon (or neurologist - but I'm partial to the neurosurgeon that has done 9-10 brain surgeries on me.) might be a good idea.

Don't you wish we had a real life Dr. House (but without the personality of Dr. House)? These days, it feels like there are plenty with his personality but without his skills!
Posted 5/18/2011 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
Ransomed as far as what kind of doctor he should see I suggest a neurologist or a Rheumatologist. If he needs surgery then he would see a neurosurgeon but first you will need a diagnosis. I have a question for you, how does heat affect him. Can he handle a hot shower without feeling weak.

Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 5/18/2011 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hot showers usually increase his pain and make him feel weak. What might that mean?
Posted 5/18/2011 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
You really need for him to see another doctor.  Doctors say patients are faking it when they probably don't know what is going on and don't want to admit it.  This is my humble opinion.

 

Start calling rheumatologists or board certified Internists in your area and ask, first, if they treat fibromyalgia patients.  (Just in case this is what he has.)  Teaching hospitals have good doctors, too, so if you have one close by, I'd check that out.  That is your best bet.  We are not doctors here so we can't answer your questions.  We would be guessing like you are.  But with those symptoms, I would start looking.  He could be having something completely different.  With the slurring of speech, speaking gibberish, and the weakness, I would be quite concerned.  I know I've never had any of that and I've had fibro for 24 years.  But if he were my husband, I'd be looking for a good, thorough doctor so they could find what really is going on and help him. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 5/19/2011 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Sherrine is right I am not a dr. just wanted to know as a way of ruling out ms. but it is in no way a diagnosis of MS. He really does need to see a specialist and please keep us updated as to what you find out.

Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 5/19/2011 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
As for the hot showers, I know people with MS are extremely heat sensitive and flare up very badly when their temps go up.
Posted 5/19/2011 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
I just got tests to rule out ms. Head and cervical spine mri with contrast. They look for lesions. Also did eeg to check brain activity. I went to neuro MD for this.
Posted 5/24/2011 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
I am a man with Fibro. Had it for 10 years now. For me hot showers are great as long as the shower head is a gentle spray. It can be very painful if it is high water pressure. They always make me weaker, so I wait till bed time.

I agree with the others as far as your doc. You have to find someone who believes you and will work with you. You don't want to wake up 10 years from now with the same unhelpful situation. Your time, energy and money is to precious to waste on the "its all in your head" routine. Good luck.
Posted 5/24/2011 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
How scary! How often does he have these "episodes"? You REALLY need to take him to see another doctor, or even to the ER when he has symptoms of an attack. I don't want to scare you, but something similar happened to my dad, and it turned out he had a brain tumor. You mentioned he's had head CTs. Was this before or after the attacks started?

If you don't want to go the ER route, I'd look for an internist/internal medicine doctor. A neurologist would be good too, but they will probably want a referral and to know the internist has ruled out things that are non-neurological.
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