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Posted 7/31/2009 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Well this week has been a rough one, the cortizone shot I had in my shoulder to relieve the nerve pain and spasm has worn off, Tuesday morning I woke up, felt ok, rolled over and it was like knives were being driven through my shoulder. I made it to work, was a huge mess, managed to get in to see the OMT doc and he gave me 8 lidocaine trigger point injections. They helped somewhat but I am still incredibly sore and even with heat/ice/ibuprofen they aren't even touching the pain. I am so frustrated because it seemed like the cortizone really helped, and now I'm worse off than ever. I fell apart the first day because I hurt so bad from the spasm, then the injections hurt, and just overall feeling really beat down. Last night the anxiety really started kicking in and I could barely sleep, my chest hurts and I am trying to talk myself out of the idea that I'm having a heart attack. I know I'm fine... but my leg cramp came back too and so I'm battling a body that is just not cooperating and my anxiety is not helping at all. Went for a trail ride tonight and my left hand was really hurting, I know its likely from the shoulder, but of course my anxiety brain starts trying to tell me otherwise. I'm really focusing on not letting those nasty thoughts in but I'm just feeling pretty down and out at the moment. I also don't get in to see the OMT doc again until the 13th. :( Which makes me wonder if I should try to see if I can get wait listed for one of his cancellations or just go see my primary and ask about surgery. I don't really want surgery but going through this again and again for no apparent reason is really starting to frustrate the heck out of me! I could understand if it was after we did hay but that was weeks ago and all I did was roll over in bed and "wham" - mega should spasm and intolerable pain. I'm just so tired of hurting all the time. My doc did mention he wants to look into checking me for Fibro but I already had that bloodwork come back but who knows... I have no idea what goes into dx fibro and I've heard it can take a while. Not that I want to have fibro but some answers on why my body keeps doing this would be helpful. And could give me a reason that I couldn't warp into something else.
Posted 7/31/2009 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
so sorry to hear about your pain. my husband just went through this with his shoulder and could get no relief. he got the shots also .motrin did not help naprosyn did not help now they gave him a steriod pack and ultram and he is feeling good relief after just 2 days. i ll be praying for you
Posted 7/31/2009 7:19 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Dixibella-

I have Fibro as well as AP. It took a long time to correctly diagnose me, but i understand your struggle with physical pain and not getting answers and relief. I was finally referred to a rheumatologist who was able to put a name to my pain. Having said that, alot of people, both medical professionals and ordinary people will try and tell you its in your head cos its invisible. I spent more time in the 'too hard' basket than i care to remember.

Even after diagnosis, treatment has not been a huge success for me. I am truly sorry you are suffering in such an acute manner and hope you can get some relief. Could you have Bursitis, or a similar joint inflammation? See if you can get into a Rheumatologist.

Prayers and love,

Maz XX

Posted 7/31/2009 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dixibella

 

First of all you need some gentle hugs ((((((HUGS))))).

FYI for you, the American College of Rheumatology has established two criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia:

  • Widespread pain lasting at least three months
  • At least 11 positive tender points — out of a total possible of 18

During your physical exam, your doctor may check specific places on your body for tenderness. The amount of pressure used during this exam is usually just enough to whiten the doctor's fingernail bed. These 18 tender points are a hallmark for fibromyalgia.

While there is no lab test to confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, your doctor may want to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. Blood tests may include:

  • Complete blood count
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • Thyroid function tests

I hope you will soon find relief from your pain and please know we are here for you.  When I am down and out with a lot of pain or just do not feel well I cry too so your in good company.  The tears do let out some of the anxiety and stress you are feeling.

Take care and keep on talking with us,

Kitt

Posted 7/31/2009 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
Dixibella,

Sorry to hear you are in so much pain. I too suffer with Fibro, but that is in addition to a bunch of other health issues. If you are having nerve pain, then I would not think that is Fibro. I have had two herniated discs in my neck repaired and can assure the two types of pain are totally different. The nerve pain being WAY worse. I hope the shots help and you are feeling better soon.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*
Posted 8/3/2009 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for the replies. I've been trying to stick with my routine and get in a little exercise, I find that when I get tensed up sometimes the only thing that helps is to keep moving a bit and at least get myself in a better mood, even if it doesn't help the pain it helps me be a little bit more "up" and able to deal with it. For me this is the 2nd time a doc has mentioned Fibro, I've had ESR and a block 3 panel, as well as a slew of other tests. Most of everything came back normal, nothing to set off any alarm bells. Honestly I was convince it was Lymes for a while there but this shoulder thing has been an on and off thing since college. I get it in both shoulders but the left is way worse, they do seem to alternate though. I have no idea what brings it on. My doc "thinks" its a nerve that gets pinched but he refuses to send me for nerve testing or to an orthopedist or someone who specializes in shoulder injuries. Not that I want surgery but I just want to know what it is so I can either prevent it or get it fixed. He is a D.O. and I generally prefer the less invasive tactics but I'm really getting tired of the pain and not knowing when its going to happen. It is debilitating pain and I just can't handle it on a daily basis. I've dealt with chronic pain but this is just awful. I am going to talk to my GP about it when I see her on the 11th. The trigger point injections helped me a bit but I can't sleep on my sides at all now, my left arm is so sore it feels like it is bruised and swollen and I can't even let it hang at my side comfortably because of the pain, I tried to mow the lawn today adn I couldn't grip the handle on the mower, the vibrations were excrutiating in my hand. I am just so frustrated with not knowing what is wrong with my body and wanting to do something to help it but not knowing how. :(
Does a rheumatologist deal with nerve pain?
Posted 8/3/2009 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
No you should get a referral to a Neurologist. I can't remember if you ever told us if you had a MRI on your neck, but that is what I would request. That will show any nerve impingement. Sometimes chiropracters can't even help when its nerve pain. Sending healing thoughts your way. And keep pushing your doctors, I know how much nerve pain hurts.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*
Posted 8/4/2009 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah I was thinking about going to my OMT doc again this week if they have a cancellation but I know he's just going to put me off and do more trigger point injections, which help, but is a bandaid not a cure, prevention, or diagnosis. I don't understand why he's so anti finding out what the heck is wrong! I mean... if the nerve has been compressed this many times and its not "sticking" when he fixes it... seems like there might be something else I can try. Thanks Nanners I'm going to give my GP the rundown and if she dosen't give me options well, perhaps I'll find another doctor.
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