No idea what is wrong with me, HELP!!!

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could help me with my problem. Since the beginning of 2007, my body has felt heavy and experienced pins and needles throughout it’s entirety. Small actions like clicking a mouse has caused a sharp tendonitis pain. Over time this pain has travelled all the way to the top of my neck and jaw which is very painful.

The muscles have either atrophied or become so stretched over time that my skin has become baggy, and my clothes too. I have difficulty turning my head in different directions because they feel stretched when i do. My legs are also affected and tremble when i lift them up. The same can be said about my hands and arms as well. My muscles have become so shortened that they have distorted my joints, namely elbows and knees so they stick out at an unusual angle. Additionally, my hands are always forced down, and my feet downwards. (thought i can lift them back up.)

Exercise makes the muscles feel even more stretched and tight. I have tried body stretches and they do the same. When this all started my muscles went back to their resting state easy - but still not quite as they should do - when I stopped stopped using them for awhile. Years later and they are always never at rest. I tend to find myself leaning at certain angles, not due to bad posterior but because the tight muscles are pulling me towards that direction.

My skin has become dry and shiny too, especially on my face. My hair seems to be losing it’s color and baldness has gradually been setting in. (started thinning when i was 17 back in 2007). My facial muscles feel they’re being pulled down by my tight neck muscles, and blood doesn’t feel like it’s flowing properly. I can definitely feel my face is starting to sag.

All in all, it feels like there’s not enough blood flowing through my body. When I smoke the sensation of muscle stiffness feel much worse, perhaps caused by the cigarette toxins.

I have been to a doctor and he said there is no nerve damage. Any suggestions?

2

Dear Voxine,

Firstly may I ask what tests did your Doctor order? Was he your GP or was he a Specialist/Consultant? Based on the symptoms you describe I would recommend that you get a second opinion.There could be a number of different causes for your symptoms and you need blood tests and possibly xrays/scans to exclude a number of probable causes for your symptoms.

All the best

Kathy

All the best

 

3

Hi voxine, I am sorry I can offer you no suggestions as I am at a loss as to what can be wrong with you and I am not a Dr. Like kathy asks, what tests etc has your Dr done and have you been referred to a specialist. For you to feel like this for over 11 years I'd expect by now that you should have been referred to a specialist and if you haven't go back to your GP, and request a referral. All the best, christina 

4

Above all - stop smoking. I doubt you want to hear that or you would already have done so. It alone is enough to cause much of what you are  describing. 

 

5

Voxine, this discussion group is for those suffering from Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis.  PMR rarely affects people under the age of 50, certainly not someone as young as you

Perhaps if your Dr has confirmed there is no nerve damage, then s/he could refer you for physiotherapy.  Swimming in a hydrotherapy pool may also help.  

However, you may have answered your own question.  If, as you say, your "muscle stiffness feels much worse when you smoke", then the most sensible option would be to stop smoking!