26 yr old male w/ chronic pain all over.. is it fibromyalgia?

I'm a 26 yr old male and for the last 6 or 7 months I've been dealing with chronic pain.  I'm a stay at home dad at the moment due to personal reasons mainly due to anxiety issues.  I'm prescribed Klonopin 3 times daily and have been diagnosed with GAD, social anxiety, panic disorder with agoraphobia. 

about 6 or 7 months ago I went to see my GP about chronic neck pain.  He did an xray of my neck and said that my neck was pretty much completely straight caused from muscle spasms.. which he related to stress and anxiety.

A few weeks later, out of nowhere I had a massive panic attack that landed me in the ER and hooked to and EKG machine and had a CBC among other tests.  It was ruled a panic attack.  I was prescribed ativan and sent on my way.  I've been dealing with major anxiety and panic attacks for months on end now and I was just switched to the Klonopin to see if that will help.

To the point:  Ever since I had my panic episode, I have been dealing with chronic pain all over my body.. not just my neck.  I wake up in the morning and it is so hard to get out of bed.  I feel like an 80 year old man.  Or I feel like I just got steamrolled by a mack truck.  It hurts to bend down to pick up my daughter's messes and hurts just as bad getting back up. 

The most prominent pain has been my lower back and sort of radiates upward.  My shoulders hurt too.  My legs at the knees hurt so bad that I have to constantly stretch them and/or move them to ignore the pain.  If I'm sitting still (like as I type) my knees are killing me.  I can't do the normal day to day things I was able to do with ease just months ago..  I feel like I've aged 60 years in just a matter of a few months. 

I'm fatigued all the time.  A couple of weeks ago I went to urgent care at another clinic (because it was the weekend) because I felt so weak that I was going to pass out.  When I got to the clinic the nurse and the doctor separately told me that I looked like hell.  I felt like it for sure.  They did more blood tests, checking for viruses, bacteria, etc.   I've had a few CBC's, have had my thyroid checked and everything always comes back normal. 

I'm at my wits end.  I'm afraid to tell my doctor that I'm in constant pain because he might think I'm a wimp or think I'm out for pain meds.  I'm 26, I shouldn't feel this way.  My vital signs are always good and they can't find anything wrong with me. 

My mother has had anxiety issues also.  I recently found out that she did when I confided in her with my anxiety issues and I found out that anxiety can be inherited.  about a month or so ago she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and every time I see her she hands me her pamphlet on fibromyalgia saying that I might have it.  Isn't it just a "woman's disease"?  Does it sound like fibromyalgia?  Can anyone relate? 

I feel so horrible all the time and my wife doesn't seem to understand and is frustrated with me.

Please help.  I need to find an end to this.  My quality of life has gone so far down hill lately that it's literally making me depressed.  I don't know what to do.

If anyone reads this, I appreciate your time.

Joe

Yes, you could have fibromyalgia.  A lot of what you said is familiar.  Check out the Fibro 101 thread...the second thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibromyalgia.  There is a list of symptoms and you just might "see" yourself there.  There is also a link to some good stretching exercises that do help. 

Many with fibro do have anxiety problems.  I did for quite some time and then I realized it was just fear and I really didn't have anything to be afraid of so I was able to get a handle on the anxiety.  But, I do remember how debilitating it was.  It's not fun.

You might want to see a good rheumatologist.  They are good at diagnosing fibromyalgia.  They will want to run tests to rule out other illnesses first.  If everything comes back normal than usually a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is given.  I have never gone to a rheumatologist but I have a good relationship with my Internist and he handles my health issues.

Joe, your doctor can't help you if you aren't up front with him.  He /she already knows you suffer from anxiety.  But not everything you are telling us is caused by anxiety.  We don't all take strong pain killers so don't let that stop  you from talking to your doctor.  I use ibuprofen with food, extra strength Tylenol, and malic acid/magnesium supplements to help with my pain and fatigue.  (There is a link all about the malic acid in the Fibro 101 thread and it explains how it works in the body.  It doesn't help everyone but it's worth a shot if you have fibro.)  Also, many with fibromyalgia seem to be deficient in vitamin D.  All this can be checked with blood tests.

Moist heat helps a lot.  A hot shower should make you feel a little better.  Some use Bed Buddies.  You can get them at Walgreen's and other places or you can make your own.  Take a tube sock, fill it 2/3's full of raw long grain rice and tie a knot at the end.  You can put this in the microwave and it will give off moist heat due to the moisture in the rice.

Keep moving.  If you sit or lay too long you will be stiff as a board if you have fibro.  Walking is good.  Also, pacing yourself is good too. 

Be sure to read Fibro 101, back posts, and ask questions.  That's why we are here.  I'm so glad you found us and joined in.  Let us know what you find out.  I hope to hear more from you soon. 

Sherrine

Hi joleesdad and Welcome-

I could have written this post. I know exactly what you are going through. When I was your age I had severe anxiety and became borderline agoraphobic. I had little or no quality of life also. I was a mess!!!   It took time, but with professional help I overcame it. Anxiety does not affect my life anymore except just prior to seeing the dentist or flying on an airplane. Are you seeing a counselor or psychologist/psychiatrist?

I did not talk to anyone about my anxiety because I thought they would think I was crazy- well we are not crazy- you just have anxiety, and when that gets fixed you will join the human race again. After getting help, I started to talk about it and found out that my mother also had anxiety but she never talked about it and so did lots and lots of other people! Yes, I feel it is inherited. I have two sons - 32 yrs and my youngest 17. My oldest son did show signs of anxiety when he was around 18 and had it for a year. He has not had it anymore. But I know he has a prediposition to it because of me. My 17 yr. was starting to show signs of anxiety this winter and I got him in to see his Pediatric Dr. that has known him for years and he is now taking Zoloft. And he is not feeling the anxiety anymore.  

Sounds like you have fibro symptoms and I would tell your Dr. about the pain and start getting some relief! There is no need for you to suffer. And if your Dr. does not understand fibro, go to another one until you get a good Dr. and you can start getting some of this under control.

It's hard for others (wife) to understand what we are going through unless they experience it for themselves- maybe even family counseling till you are functioning better?

Nice to meet you and hang in there! Lots of great support here!

GamJill   

Hey Joleesdad!!!

Though FMS is more common in women it can affect men too.  I'm almost 100% sure my dad had it.  He had lots of symptoms.  And I think my sister and I inherited it from him.. (thanks Pop). 

You should go see your dr. and get a confirmation, be sure to write down your symptoms so you'll have everything in order when you go.  I noticed you were taking kolinipin, that stuff can knock you on your butt, my sister takes it so I know a good bit about that med.  Depression & anxiety are common with fibro, but they can also cause pain.  So a dr's evaluation will be needed.  Another thing that mimics fibro is Lyme Disease.. so you should get tested for that too.

I hope like heck you don't have FMS, but if you do this is an awesome forum to learn more about it and share your experience with folks that understand and truly care about you.

Keep in touch and let us know how you're doing.

Take care,