Pain triggered flair? I can't figure out. Really scared.

I was working on the computer yesterday when I got some pain in my elbow. I assumed it was pain form ulnar tunnel, I had some tingling in my pinky. As an artist my biggest fear is losing the ability to use my hands. I stopped what I was doing but when I woke up the next morning my elbow still hurt. As the day progressed I noticed my hands started to hurt really bad. My right hand felt a little stiff. I thought for sure this was an overuse injury. Now I find I'm getting similar pain in my feet and getting pain along my legs. The pain is almost unbearable it's in both elbows as well. I also get a strange vibrating feeling my hands. Now I'm wondering if it is fibromyalgia. My doctor refused to test me for ulnar/carpal tunnel because he said it was all fibromyalgia. I hate not knowing. I'm going to call them tomorrow and demand they do the test for carpal. I am really scared and I have been crying most of the day. Has anyone on here that has carpal tunnel syndrome or anything like it gotten a flare from the pain it causes?

I had carpal tunnel before Fibro. My hands got numb and when I tapped on the wrist with my fingers and palm up, I got what felt like a shock up my hands into my fingers. I had surgery on both hands and it has been feeling better. I scrapbook and stamp and when I use my hands too much doing this, I feel pain in my hands, fingers and going into my elbows. I am not sure if you have a thyroid problem but my dr said that there is a link between hypothyroidism and carpal tunnel. Hope that helps. You can email me if you have anymore questions.
Nite,
Lisa

I had this the very first day fibro hit me.  I was watching TV!  My toes started to hurt, then my ankles, then knees, then hips, and when it got to my elbows.....YIKES!!!!!!!  It was like I banged the "funny bone" really hard.  I got the electrical pain shooting down my arms and it stayed that way for over two weeks!  This is when I was started on ibuprofen.  I'm still taking ibuprofen...600 mg every six hours with food.  You might try that to get things settled down. 

 

I had that raw nerve pain down my legs this winter and was put back on ibuprofen and a muscle relaxer caller Robaxin and I'm soo much better now.  I do use extra strength Tylenol, too, along with other vitamins and supplements.

 

I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel but it has all gone away by itself.  With carpel tunnel, you will have numbness in your thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the inside of the ring finger facing the middle finger.  That is classic carpel tunnel. 

 

Don't freak out over this.  I have found that if I wait long enough, things go away on their own.  Take one day at a time and try not to stress over this.  It most likely will pass.  Stressing will make it last longer, I think.  It causes muscles to tighten and that, in turn, can pinch nerves. 

 

Let us know how you are doing because we really do care about you.

 

Sherrine

I'm glad you're feeling better today! What you described is exactly how my first major fibro flare started that led (eventually) to a diagnosis. I did have testing done for carpal tunnel in my left hand (where the numbness had started) and for ulnar nerve entrapment but that all came out normal. Hang in there and give it some time for it all to pan out. I can't believe that a doctor would diagnose anyone with fibro without a lot of testing and "watch and wait", considering it's a diagnosis of exclusion. Do you see a chiropractor at all? You might want to consult with him/her, also, because pinched nerves, tight muscles in the neck/spine and vertebrae out of alignment can cause the same symptoms. I wish you lots of luck!