Posted 11/21/2016 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,
I am a 50 year old male and from what I have been reading, I believe I have Fibromyalgia.
I am posting to see if anyone is experiencing a situation similar to mine and can offer some
help and advice.
Here is my story:
about four years ago I started experiencing chest pains upon mild exercise and or stress.
I immediately went to a cardiologist for a check up. He put me through all the tests including
a stress test. He found a "minor abnormality" but nothing that would explain the pain I was experiencing.
(Note - I am a non smoker, light drinker, in good physical shape, low cholesterol, normal BP, etc.). He
put me on a low dose aspirin and gave me a appointment for a year later. The pain continued, just to the left of my sternum and I dealt with it for a year. Since it was bothering me so much, My doctor decided to go in with a catheter and look around. He found a 30-40% blockage, wasn't really concerned. He said my heart was strong and healthy and encouraged good diet and exercise.
Shortly after this I stared getting random dizzy spells at work. A few months passed and I had a full blown anxiety attack. I thought it was a heart attack at the time and was rushed to the hospital. I spent the night and they determined it was an anxiety attack, gave me Xanax, and told me to see a psychiatrist. I did and the psychiatrist said I had Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Over the next two years, I began to develop the Fibromyalgia symptoms. Neck and shoulder pain, back pain under my left shoulder blade that radiated in front to my left chest near the sternum, pain radiating down my left arm, tingling in my legs, fatigue, etc.
The pain in my neck never goes away. The other pains vary, where I have good days and bad days. My life has become complete hell and I do get depressed regarding my situation.
Numerous visits to the cardiologist have caused him to put me on a low level statin and diagnose me with "Classic Stabile Angina". (He doesn't believe FM exists) I remain skeptical about this diagnosis as the pain seems to get better when I continue to walk. First mile I'm in pain the second mile I begin to feel better.
In the morning I wake with back pain it gets better as the day goes on. My first flight of stairs in the morning are painful in my chest and back. I feel as if I'm having a heart attack every day.
My GM also doesn't believe FM exists. ????????
It should be noted that two things did happen prior to all these problems:
#1 I had suffered from a viral infection a year earlier
#2 I had thrown my lower back out around the same time.
Anyone in my Boat?