Posted 5/11/2012 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
In 2004/5 I was diagnosed with what my doctor believed to be fibromyalgia. However, with the mixed bag of symptoms I cycle through, I just worry that I might have something other than fibro. I just want some opinions before I pay the exorbitant amount of money it'll cost for further testing. I do not currently have insurance, so it's something that will have to be done in a few months when I get it again.
Bad rash/hives (no known cause, migratory - intensly itchy and on my hands/arms mostly) (2004/2005)
Malar Rash (2004) - typical butterfly pattern on face. Blush-like. Permanent.
Folliculitis like rash on 2 separate occasions (surrounding a pregnancy scare) (2004)
It's possible that the prednisone from the hives may have helped this some? (2004)
Trigger points everywhere. Extremely sensitive. (2004/2005)
Extreme fatigue. (2004 to present)
Further: Brain goes to sleep while i'm awake. Almost like narcolepsy at times. Hard to shake the fatigue when active
Burning pain in muscles. (2007 to present)
Headaches (forever)
Restless legs (2005 to present)
IBS/Constipation (since high school)
Hair Loss (gotten really bad during season changes last two years)
Dry skin (always)
Thyroid testing comes back normal (full panel normal last year.)
2 Negative ANA tests? (retest)
1 possible lyme positive (retest)
Brain shocks. Zap sensations in head at random points Since 2006
Full body twitch (since I don't know... present)
Tremors (2010-pres)
Hypoglycemia (since HS)
Anxiety/Depression
Arm/wrist pain
Shoulder tightness (since 2005)
vaginal itching (last 6 months - treated for BV, but not obvious signs. No yeast. BAD ITCHING)
Always tired/never fully rested (since 2004)
Weird rash in 2002 (torso, no pain or itch, never officially diagnosed)
Poor memory/cognition (lose keys in plain view, forget what I'm doing)
Hard to remain focused on tasks (especially when the above is in play - gotten very bad since 2010)
Lower back/hip tired/painful doing household tasks, like washing dishes or cleaning (2011-pres)
Joint pain (especially knees) has increased in last year. Hurts to walk some days.
2 SEVERE burning headaches that have woken me in the night (since 2011) - 8-9 pain scale
2 weird "flu-like" attacks. Fever, chills, PAIN ALL OVER, then fine a few hours later, albeit shellshocked (since 2009)
Weight gain ;) (Fatigue and pain kind of deter my wanting to get too active)
Muscle weakness since 2010. I struggle to open jars and carry things (used to be very strong)
Eyes are light-sensitive
Always can see things (colors, snow, CEV type stuff)
Increased sweating in last few years
Dry mouth
Cyclic eye irritation (around period) redness/pain
Thirsty
Bladder doesn't feel like it fully empties every time
Random diarrhea without obvious cause
gassy all the time (especially bad the last few years)
dizziness
random "room spinning" feeling
lightheaded a lot
TMJ (hurts to chew sometimes, brush teeth (jaws get tired)
tachycardia
little red spots on my arm that I think are blood under the skin (petechiae?) I think some have become moles, but they are becoming more frequent and in places other than my arms.
Also to note: Some EDS type signs: touch tongue to tip of nose, very flat feet, hyperflexive in several joints (though they are stiff and painful most of the time), stretchy skin in some places. There are lots of other random things that happen, but things seem to be progressively worse. I am not on any medication for the symptoms other than Synthroid for hypothyroidism (had since I was 3/4 years old), and Wellbutrin and Celexa for severe anxiety and moderate depression. Major symptoms typically come in flares, usually in relation to my period or if I'm under a lot of stress. I was given a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia in 2005 when my knees started bothering and I began experiencing fatigue. I already had the butterfly pattern, but ANA was negative at the time. Normal CBC. HIV negative. Normal thyroid panel. I hurt a lot, but I've learned to deal with it. Take advil if I have a bad headache and that's about it. I think my doctors think I'm making things up, but my medical history can prove otherwise. The main thing that really bothers me is the fatigue and the way my mind is affected (terrible memory, reasoning diminished, tired, attention span diminished). I could hid my own Easter eggs on a bad day. I'm 29 years old and feel like I'm nearing 70. I've been having trouble since I was 21 years old. If this is really fibromyalgia, I'll just give it up and continue living with it. However, due to the progressive nature and the fact I don't necessarily have the same type of pain as fibro patients seem to have (based on what I've read online), I want to rule out any other cause so that I don't get worse to a point of no return.