Fibromyalgia? Disc bulge? Please help, I feel like I'm going crazy.

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi guys, I was hoping I could get some help or insight from people who really understand fibromyalgia. I apologise in advance if this is confusing but I will try to keep it as straight forward as I can, plus I'm typing via my phone so I may accidentally gobbledegook!

Firstly let me say I have NOT been diagnosed with fibro, nor I have seen my GP about it, yet. This is because I only heard of it a few weeks back.

I'm 31 and although I'd always had some back issues, 18 months ago things became much worse and after 12 months being told by doctors there was nothing wrong with me..., I saw a chiropractor who diagnosed me with a disc bulge with annular tear, myofasical pain and costo-vertebral syndrome. This was diagnosed within a 15 minute evaluation but I never received an MRI/X-ray. I've been through failed physio (made me worse), I do exercises the chiro gave, I've had big problems trying to keep up work which is very manual and am currently taking time off again. However I always wondered if there was something else going on because not everything seemed to fit.

I frequently looked online to see how other people dealt with there pain, simply for people to relate to and hopefully pick up some tips. I constantly came across fibromyalgia when I searched my symptoms and I eventually looked into this further by directly googling fibromyalgia... And I was stunned by what I found, life seemed to make sense to me suddenly. But I'm unsure whether my symptoms are back problems, that simply overlap with fibro.

- Pain. Despite my back I've always hurt, from my joints (wrists, elbows, knees, occasionally ankles) feeling weaker , randomly aching and sometimes stabbing pain. I've also had general tenderness around my body, my upper arms have always been sore to the touch, frequently hearing "I only touched you with my finger, that can't have hurt!" - same goes for my abdomen, ribs, upper legs/hips/thighs.

- Brain-fog: now it was my partner who instantly saw that symptom and declared "yes! That is totally you!" I find that I get muddled occasionally, struggle over the words, knowing what I want to say but can't, and have found my concentration is much harder to focus than it ever used to be.

- fatigue/sleep problems - Yes, my sleep has gotten progressively worse as I've gotten older too. Now I find I'm awake until 5am and then if I'm lucky I can sleep, depending on work it can be 1 hour or 14, but whatever it is I struggle getting up, I find it takes me hours to come too but again I thought this was an age thing.

Headaches - I've never been too bad with migraines, I've had a few but I would frequently get headaches behind my eyes or in the back of my head/neck, often caused by daylight/bright light. However because I have painkillers for my back, I will take these as soon as the headache begins because otherwise it's there for the day.

- IBS: my partner has ibs and I don't have the same symptoms, my main issue is bloating - constantly! Whatever I eat, I get really bad bloating. I can experience constipated or being loose fairly regularly, with no pattern linked to diet, it always seems random.

- Tongue biting when sleeping? Now this is why I'm here because I've experienced this the last few weeks and I was very confused, I did take tramadol last night and I've found other people asked about a link between them too, but I only took them last night. Low and behold I came across fibromyalgia again.

- I am aware of the tender point test but this is something I'm unclear of and obviously can't diagnose myself.

There are a few other points I can't think of atm, but the sleep/anxiety/fatigue/even "fog", could all probably be linked to my back diagnosis too. Needless to say I'm confused!

My back gives the feeling of pressure in my lower spine, can often lead to sciatica.

I frequently get numbness/tingles down my legs and now and then in my arms and even neck.

I (my mind has gone blank, I lose my trail.... but that could be because I slept at 6am and I signed up here at 8am. I don't know) I was trying to say... work brain. Muscle spasms! That's it. I get muscle spasms a lot in my back, you can feel the to the touch and they're extremely uncomfortable/painful.

And one if the worst pains is around my ribs, I was told it's nerve pain, it's very tight, hard to breathe and feels like an alien if some sorts is trying to climb out of my rib cage - mostly at the sides but often feels "heart attacky" too.

I saw 10 doctors the first 12 months of my back problem and none of them diagnosed me with anything. Many of these symptoms where happening prior to all this but I feel like it's all got much worse and much more real.

I know this is long, I hope someone can make some sense of it and just let me know you're there. You might think it sounds nothing like fibro, I've no idea, any help is appreciated!

Thanks guys smile

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Hi. So sorry for all the symptoms you are experiencing. It certainly could very well be Fibromyalgia that you have. Many of us had seen several doctors like you before the correct diagnosis was made. So don't despair. I know it is super frustrating but you will get there. I would suggest you get a referral to a Rheumatologist. They are in the best position to give you the correct diagnosis. But your symptoms over the years sound similar to most of us. And if it is FM, you will find a way to cope with your own specific needs. A very important factor is to manage your stress and worry because this can increase the extent of your discomfort. I have had FM for over 35 years now and I am able to recognise symptoms where I need to really slow down and recognise my limitations. Chronic Fatigue often goes along with it and of course sleep disturbances. I personally manage my FM without meds. I will take an Ibuprofen if I get a migraine but I have approached the condition in a more Holistic way with diet and supplements. The others here could give you more advice on the medication they find helpful. Just know that you are not alone. You will find your answers and you are perfectly capable of handling this condition if that is your final diagnosis. Warmest Regards, Maggie 

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By reading all of your symptoms I would say you have fibromalgia it took my doctor 2/3 years to diagnosis me. I just kept going back and she then made an appointment for Mri scan then I was sent to a rheumatology specialist and she done a few pain tests and then she said you have fibromalgia nothing we a do but control the pain with medication pain management course but it never helped me. I would go back to the doctor until they listen to you. Hope this helps. 💝

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Sent you an email. They are moderating for no reason now. I guess it just depends on who is behind the keyboard. Gentle hugs. 

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Hi I agree with Mandy,

Go and ask your GP to refer you to Rheumatology, your GP can do blood tests forever and it wont show Fibro, 

Good luck L.

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Please get an MRI of cervical and lumbar its very necessary to rule out other potential problems .

Like you I dealt with all the same issues and was diagnosed with fibro. Herniated discs in cervical and lumbar because of whiplash. Did chiro and pt for years.

In 2015 my symptoms were so bad that I was sent for more MRIs and needed immediate surgery on my neck followed by a 2nd surgery 1 year later... last sept. I was diagnosed with myelopathy and congenital stenosis that also was showing in my MRIs back in 2006.

Because it went untreated my symptoms are permanent.

With that said just to rule out problems with your spine I would definitely get the MRIs.

Symptoms ranged from, headaches, hip pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in extremities, body aching, fatigue, exhaustion with little effort, dizziness, bladder problems, sore muscles like the flu, achy hands and feet, dexterity problems, balance gait issues, jaw and neck pain, muscle tightness twitching and cramping...etc

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I am so sorry you are suffering with all those horrible symptoms, unfortunately they sound all to familar. I would never persume to diagnose your condition, that is the job of a specialist, in particular a rheumatologist.

Let me tell you I suffer a very similar range of symptoms and have been diagnosed with osteo arthritis and Fibromyalgia. I was officially diagnosed by my Rheumatologist and after trial and error we finally found a coctail of medication, that makes my life bearable. I am on very low doses as I seeem to be very sensitive to medication. When it comes to medication we all tolerate different ones because of our unique body chemistry.

I also control my diet very carefully which helps the IBS. In my case I have eliminated stimulants, gluten and dairy. I find perservatives and colouring problematic and avoid them. Most of the above are simply due to intolerance however dairy I am allergic to. Now in your case it may be different foods that are upsetting your digestion. Once more I suggest you consult a speciatist.

I hope these mad ramblings are of some help. Please remember that you are not alone and that help is out there, if you reach for it.

Cheers Meg

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Hello, I did the same as you came looking for answers and don't have fibromyalgia diagnosis. I have ms and spine problems. Please push for an MRI. I have similar symptoms to you. I have cervical spondylosis, stenosis and facet joint. Arthritis that comes and goes. It all started with back problems. Good luck

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Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond, it definitely made me feel less alone.... and less crazy!

I've just got home from an emergency appointment at my Drs surgery, two nights without sleep because of pain isn't uncommon and will likely continue, but I thought what's to lose.

I've had 100% negative experiences with doctors over the past 18 months, being blatantly told there's nothing wrong with me. Today I was surprised to find I was seeing the nurse, but she turned out to be a god send!

She shocked me by mentioning fibromyalgia herself! "It's in the back of my mind..." - she noted all my symptoms, had many questions, examined my back and said "I don't feel any evidence of a disc bulge" (what the...)

She's sending me fir specific blood tests, one to do with ovaries is as much as I understood and she's sending me for an X-ray on my lumbar spine.

She's said it's a case of ruling out and she will refer me to a rheumatologist.

This is the first time in almost 2 years I've been listened to and steps have been made. I probably went fir it because of your reactions here, I felt less like it's all in my head and I deserve to be heard.

Thank you again! I'll update again soon.

Lynsey xxx

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Oh yeh she told me to look at FODMAP diet which helps with ibs. First things on the no-go list? Garlic and onion! Noooo! Lol.

I'll definitely look into it more and be curious to see the results.

Thanks fir your time

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That sounds so positive, it makes a big difference doesn't it to be heard, believed and referred. Good luck 😀