Scared I might have Fibro.. Please.. Help!

So this may get lengthy but I am desperate for help.. Please stick with me here. So the past four months have been a living hell!! I don't know what to do. I am scared I might have Fybromyalgia. I am a 23 yr. Old male.

It all started probably in November, I started getting pains in my abdomen. Right side, went and had a CT that showed Kidney stones. Okay, then not long after that I had a bad sinus infection, followed by pains in the muscles of my throat. Then after that it proceeded to chest pains. I seen a doctors several times throughout this period, last November-December. The doctor got mad at me for keep showing up. He gave me a EKG came back fine. Stress test. Full Bloodwork and everything Came back fine. Okay, my problems still persisted. I went back to him, he said I had a panic disorder, prescrbed me Avitan. Told me to leave and see a psychologist. I did. She offered little help. I only took the Avitan in severe situations. My problems seemed to get better. Little pain.

Come January, my abdominal pains returned had several visits the doctor and Emergency room, only to be told I have kidney stones, their not moving. Shouldn't be causing you pain. Went back to a different doctor, he said see a urologist, gave me a third bottle of vicodin, I have two bottles of 5-500's and a bottle of 5-325 at this time. I took them throughout the month of January, but before I could see the Urologist I had a bad, bad episode after eating. I went to the doctor, told him I think it may be my gallbladder. I was admitted to the hospital since painkillers weren't helping, seen the surgeon who gave me a HIDA scan, it came back abnormal. January 25th I had my gallbladder removed, it was severly inflammed. I started to feel better but had severe bouts of Depression, stress and anxiety. I was still taking the Vidodins, off and on. Then I started to feel better, then I had an attack with Kidney stones again. Then back on the vicodin for a couple days. Okay, then I started to get abdominal pains again, went back to my doctor who referred me back to the surgeon, a couple a weeks ago I had a Endoscopy and Colonoscopy that all came back fine. He figures my pain is either related to my Appendix tho CT's show nothing abnormal or a irritated Ureter from kidney stones, or just abdominal wall pains..

Since then, even before then. Along the way I have now developed weird problems. Severe stress, anxiety, depression. Muslces aches everywhere, backaches, tightening in my throat, tingling in my hands, arms feet, chest pains, always tired, wake up tired. Get bouts of being really cold or really hot when nobody else notices it. Headaches, tension headaches, migraines, NEVER have high blood pressure, always runs normal. Today, my head feels better. But my chest hurts, stomach hurts, back hurts, arms hurt, back of neck and head hurts and I got severe tension throught my upper body. It changes, my pain moves around and it makes no sense at all!! It can hurt in one spot, then move to the next.

I'm currently scheduled to see my psychologist on the 18th, I can't get in any sooner. I can't deal with this stress, depression anxiety any longer. It's like I'll feel better, then fall right back into the hole again cause I start to have pain that doesn't make any sense and has been detected by NO test. I dont' know if it's all just Anxiety, stress and depression causing my pains or something like Fibromyalgia. I am scared cause I take care of my 58 year old mother who has Rheumatoid (SP?) Athritis. I see how miserable and depressed she is everyday and I don't want anything like that. OR if maybe my problems are coming from after effects of Anesthesia or from me being on Vicodins, or maybe I'm just crazy like the doctors think. It can't be from the Benzo's because I only took them here and there in sever situations and I have not had them in awhile... Somebody.. Please give me some advice, help? I'm desperate. I've never felt this way in my entire life..

Hi Jesse,

Welcome to the fibromyalgia forum. It sure sounds like you have a lot on your plate. The best thing I can recommend at this time, is to keep stress down to a minimum. Try not to let it effect you. It could send you into a fibromyalgia flare.

Do check out the second thread on the forum called "fibro 101". It is very informative. I think you may even see yourself there. I hope that you get a diagnosis soon. It at least lets you know what you are up against.

Don't worry about the long post. We have had longer ones. Yours was easy to read. Thank you for that.

Keep posting. And reading. Know we all care about you. I hope you are having a good day.

Hugs, Karen

Hi, Jesse, and welcome!  I'm glad you found us and joined in.  Yes, you have a lot of things going on.  Come could be fibro but they could be caused by other things. 

 

One of the first things I would do is dump the doctor that is telling you it's all in your head and find a good rheumatologist.  Ask, before making an appointment, if they treat fibro patients.  They will see the tests you have already had and add more because they need to rule out other illnesses before a diagnosis of fibro is given.  Many of the symptoms of fibro are like that of other illnesses.  Since fibro doesn't have a special test, they rule out the other illnesses first.

 

Anxiety can cause a lot of problem on it's own so try to get a grip.  You are only hurting yourself worrying like you are and it won't help you one iota.  Take a day at a time and start your search for what is causing you all of these problems.  A rheumatologist will be able to tell if you have fibro...IF they believe in fibro.  There are still some doctors in the Dark Ages about that.  

 

If you find that you do have fibro, don't fret!  I've had fibro for 25 years and have had a full and enjoyable life in spite of this illness.  I've done a lot of traveling here and overseas, seen and done so many things and raised three children in the process.  So, you can have a very full life with this illness.

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  Good starting links are called Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine 

Anxiety is the first thing I need to try get ahold of, but it's impossible on my own. I hate this, I've always been a healthy, active person. I'm scared that all the stress I have gone through lately has caused permanent damage and brought on FM..

We have a wonderful anxiety forum if you think that could help you. You could see what others go through and at least you will know that you are not alone. One of the things that helps anxiety is getting control of your breathing and focussing on it. You breathe in through the nose (smelling the roses) and out through the mouth (blowing out the candles). It really helps. Repeat that over and over until you feel yourself relaxing. I promise it will help with an anxiety attack.

Take care Jesse...

Hugs, Karen

Okay, so. I tested something today. I was having problems with Chest pains, back pains, tension. Stinging and burning sensations in my abdominal muscles and chest muscles. I decided to look around the house for some pain killers that may help, I found an Ativan of mine laying around. I haven't taken any in awhile, at least a few weeks. I took it. Felt better for the majority of 8-9 hours. Felt a lot better, dissipated pretty well. I felt better then I have in a few weeks. Then after about 8-9 hours my chest started to hurt, muscles in my back got tense, I got burning and stinging sensations around my upper body and abdominal area. A very strange feeling that hurts. Feels like it's either in my nerves or my muscles. So I took a 5-500 Vicodin which I have not taken since at least Early February to see if that might help. I didn't touch anything.. Nothing. I was thinking postive thoughts all day, thinking about stuff I haven't in awhile, I felt great. Then I felt the pain again, then back into the wonderful depressed state I have been feeling lately.

How does this make sense that Anti Depressants will touch my problems but pain killers won't when I actually feel pain? I feel like I am literally going crazy.
One thing that scares me is the Anti Depressents, like Ativan, Xanax all that freaky stuff. I'm scared that I will become dependant on them, which I am not currently, cause when I had them It was rare to take 2 a week. The only problem is they help me. I want to use them as something to gain leverage on my problems and not a crutch to depend on to support me. I don't want to become dependant on any drugs at all...

I have no idea what is going on here.. Anybody have any experience like this? This is so strange to me.. I pray to god it's not Fibro. I have recently been taking this Hyland's Nerve tonic as well as this 24-hour anxiety control stuff I bought online. They are all natural non-Habit forming supplements. They do nothing.. maybe I should post this stuff on the anxiety forum.. But, I guess I'm just posting an update to see if anybody has any idea how any of this has any sense.

Sorry. I was thinking Anti-Depressants and Anxiety meds were in the same type of category. I was given Avitan for Chest pains and throat Tightening and Diagnosed with a panic disorder. I have not spoken to a doctor yet about depression.

No I just got prescribed Ativan. That's the only one I have ever had, I was just thinking of another name I always hear and it's usually Xanax but I've never had those.
I don't know any other Anxiety meds. But like you said I try not let anxiety control my life but I always wake up with muscle aches and tension. I'll start to feel a tad bit better, get in better spirits and then I'll have some kind of ache that brings me back to reality, whether it be chest pain, throat pains, arm pains, abdominal or back pains.. It's just crazy. Doctors just seem worried about the abdominal pains cause that's the one I have dealt with for the longest, they just figure my headaches and the other aches are just linked to stress/anxiety and shrug it off..

It's strange cause Pain Killers, even Vicodin doesn't even touch my problems. Only the Ativan's. Which makes no sense to me one bit.

Jesse,

I'm glad you seem to have found a doctor who treats you with respect and will work with you.

You seem to be terribly worried about the possibility of fibro. It may well not be, of course, but even if it is, you can still have a very good life with it! It's not a fatal diagnosis, and it doesn't cause deterioration of any part of the body. (It's functional, not structural.) My doctor always tells me that I'm healthy, even if I don't feel that way - what I'm trying to say is, it's not a dangerous condition. And some cases are far more severe than others, so yours may not be that bad - IF you even have it.

Hopefully, this new drug will be just what you need. Good luck.

Debbie

Well I gave 8 viles of blood yesterday those are being sent to mayo. Plus I have had many CT Scans, Chest X-Rays, Endoscopy and colonoscopy, when my gallbladder was removed inflammation was bad from that being diseased. My White blood cout has never been high however. I did get told once that I got inflammation of the cartilage in my chest, I forgot what the docotor called. He called it Chostrocondritis (sp?). I was prescribed a anti-inflammatory called meloxicam. That seemed to help, but my chest pains come and go with tenderness in the sternum and sides. I just pray this medication helps. All I know is after I took it yesterday I was able to sleep like a rock, wake up with less pains and I didn't have so many crazy dreams.

I know Fibro is rare, especially in young males. But I have always been the person that thinks the worst of any type of problem. Especially when it persists and I dwell on it cause I crave so hard to feel good again. I think that just adds fuel to the fire creating a vicious cycle. But I guess if my problems persist in a month my doctor is willing to persue other options as to what my problems may be. But he seems predy sure it's all stress and anxiety.

Thank you guys for all your support, I'll keep you guys up to date. You guys have a great group of people here.

Hi Jesse,

I'm so glad you found a doctor who is willing to work with you...just having a doctor take you seriously really helps out with the stress and anxiety.

I think the anxiety magnifies everything...I've had panic attacks for the last couple of months, and like you, often think the worst in any health situation.  Also like you, I've had the chest pain diagnosed as costochondritis as well as a result of panic attacks.  I've also got the tenderness in my sides (ribs area), abdomen, and upper back, so I understand your concerns...your mind just races with all of the things that could be wrong, and how it would affect your life.

I'm glad to hear that your bloodwork is going to Mayo--that's great, and be sure to post when you get the results.

Realize that you are making strides toward figuring out what is going on, and believe in your ability to deal with whatever the tests show.  Fibromyalgia is not fun, but it's not a death sentence, and not everyone experiences the worst symptoms...like many conditions, some people have milder cases than others.

Regardless, realize that you are handling this, and it will get figured out.  If you're like me, you'll feel a lot better once you know exactly what you're dealing with...it's the not knowing that was the worst for me.

Best of luck to you, and I hope you keep posting!