Shin and muscle pains - GP suspects Fibromalgya

Puschinka

Went to see my GP this afternoon and he was, as always, brilliant. I told him about the awful pains in my shins and also how the rest of my legs and also my arms feel sooo heavy, stiff and just ache as though I've been lifting weights.
When I saw him 4 weeks ago I asked him to give me something to help me sleep and he prescribed Themazepam ( which as yet, scaredy-cat me hasn't had the courage to try out yet :? ) so today he asked was I sleeping any better. I said no, I manage no more than 3-4 hrs a night and it's been that way for ages. And how I feel totally drained and pathetically tired most days.
He then said that I did complain of general aches and pains all over when I first went to see him months ago, after my knee pain spiralled out of control following a work's training session.
4 wks ago he made me an appntmnt to see the Rheumy, as I was getting pains in my fingers, wrists,shoulders, hips and groin ... I said to him at the time, "I just ache all over and am so tired and feel totally drained most days."
So -today he phoned the rheumy clinic there and then and left a message for them bring my appnmnt forward from the 1st May, if possible, stating that he suspects I may have Fibromyalgia. :? Oh no !!!!

He said it would all make sense, what with my IBS and restless Leg syndrome, both of which I've had for years... as all my symptoms were classic signs of Fibromyalgia.
It's true, I haven't had a proper nights' sleep for years and years, always wake up 2-3 times and struggle to drop off again, but I used to put that down to working shifts.
I suffered a nervous breakdown (brought on by prolonged stress at work) 18 months ago, was quite poorly for some time after but recovered fully, apparently Fibromyalgia can be the result of such an event.
I don't know what to think and I guess there's no point worrying about it until I've seen the Rheumy and hear what he thinks...
Diagnosed with knee OA 2 months ago and now this?
It just keeps getting better... ( not ).
Thanks for reading everyone... And what do you think?
And I know, I'm really crap at keeping things brief, sorry.

thewifie

I apologise if I am not supposed to post links on the forum but I thought this one might help with a bit of info on fibromyalgia.

http://www.ukfibromyalgia.com/what-is-fm.html

Puschinka

Thanks for that info, thewifey. I must admit a lot of what it says there about fibromyalgya does ring true with me. Quite a lot. :?
I have heard of this condition and know that some of the forum members have it, but I am still trying to learn to live with the pain of OA in my knees and adjust to my reduced mobility and change of life, I simply 'attributed' all these other aches and pains as part and parcel of it.
Like your OH - I still havent really accepted that I'll never be the same, my life has changed so much in the last 4 months ,( my OH says I am in denial) and there's so much I miss and I can't do anymore.
But it all happend very fast in my case, not gradually over a couple of years or so.
November last year me and my OH walked across the Humber Bridge and back on a really cold and windy day and I was back at work doing a 10 hour shift the next day and there wasn't a problem with my knees then.
I was planning a girl's night out with some friends for Christmas and had already bought the outfit and shoes.
I had to drop out of the Christmas night out and the shoes were a waste of money... no way can I walk in heels these days.
Oh dear, I'm sorry for moaning on and on,but I just want these pains to go away, get my energy back and a decent night's sleep just occasionally, the heels and nights out can go to hell...
I am grateful to my GP for being so on the ball and so supportive and helpful though and to people like you who are there with addvice and kind words of support.x

Wonkylegs

Oh I know those feelings only too well!

couldn't log off without popping in to let you know that a diagnosis of Fibro isn't the end of the world, though it's nothing to party about either :roll:

I have had RA for 15+ years, and last october was finally listened to about how rubbish I was feeling despite them telling me the RA was now under control. Everything hurt - even breathing on some days! and the walls of tiredness just hit from nowhere.

The docs put me on Amitriptyline which, whilst not a miracle cure, has indeed helped to lessen the pain and give me some quality sleep. I also started taking tramadol at night, and between them I know that I'm getting some relief. So is my long suffering hubby!

so hang in there, and keep asking questions on here, because there is a lot of support on here for those of us with fibro.

hugs ((()))
WOnky

thewifie

Life can be a terror sometimes ! I went to work as usual, had an accident and that was it, have never been able to work again ! 3 years on I can now use my left arm again for a short time, any longer and my shoulder hurts like hell ! It took a long time to accept that I was on the scrap heap but in a way it was a good thing. Up until then I did not realise how stressed I was, ended up with Diabetes and changed my life around totally.

My OH takes Amitryptiline as well for nerve pain and it does take the edge of the pain for him.

roses1

Hi Puschinka,

Sounds like the doc is on the ball and that you have had a good app with him.

I too know those feelings aches and pains :shock: . I have OA and fibro and other things lurking!

I have Amitriptyline at night and i was amazed that i was actually getting some restful sleep. Not had any decent sleep in years, i still wake up stiff and in pain to move, but get back off straight away. It only the low dose of 10mg. Maybe your doc will offer some? lots of people on here take them.

If you want to chat feel free to pm

Rose x

Puschinka

Hi Wonky and thanks for your support.
On getting up this morning I felt the usual 'stiff as a board' again for the first hour or so, but only the odd stab of pain in shins and arms. Having a shower and getting dressed semed like more of an effort than it ought to be again :?
So I sit and rest for 10 min then do my physio excercises for half an hour or so and after that I'm totally beat and have to sit and rest again for a while. By now my arms and legs feel like lead again and I feel just so drained and am glad I don't have to go out for any reason today and want to go back to bed as I'm so tired.
But then after a while it passes and I feel a bit more lively, do something, potter about, but honestly - anything I do that's the slightest bit strenous and I feel beat up again and have to sit down and rest. Even lifting my mug of tea feels like an effort sometimes!
GP said when I see the rheumy they would do some tests, ask questions etc to get to the bottom of it all and that they're the experts and he couldn't really do anymore for now as he's only a GP.
Which is fair enough. He is a great GP, very supportive and always listens, never rushes me. So at least I don't have to worry or get worked up about going to see him.Which is worth a lot.

Puschinka

Thewifey - I'm sorry you got a raw deal there, life really does play some nasty tricks sometimes! It can't be easy for you with your OH needing your help for lots of things too, I suppose.
Thanks so much for your advice and support and I hope you and your OH are having a reasonably good day today.x

Puschinka

Hi Rose and thanks for your reply. Hope you're feeling okay today inspite of the grey skies and rain.
Yes, I hope I get sorted out with meds when I see the Rheumy, to help me sleep better and ease some of these pains too.
Who knows, maybe they'll have a magic wand there and I leave there with a spring in my step...

yeah right... Seriously though I'm hoping to get some answers and will keep you posted. Thanks for the offer to pm - nice one!
x

thewifie

Thanks Puschinka, you just have to adapt don't you but I don't have to tell any of you that !

Did get out for a walk this morning after the fog lifted. I've spent the morning online filling out an application for a Blue Badge, next challenge will be to get him down to the chemists to get a passport photo taken.

frogmorton

Hi Puschinka

l am so sorry that fibro has been mentioned....it is always such a shock isn't it when you find out what might be wrong .

I have to agree with the others that it is so good that your GP is switched on.... if he is right then there ARE various treatments they can try you on.

Trial and error, but all being well you can get on a regime which suits you and things will feel so much better again

Love and hugs from

Toni xxx

Folara

Hi Puschinka

I'm in the same boat as you atm. My doc made me do a body map of pains and symptoms so he could give it a good look. I gave this to him yesterday and he also mentioned fibromyalgia. Tbh in some ways if it is fibro then at least I know WHY I feel so damned awful all the time and they can sort of treat the symptoms.

Hopefully we can both get a proper diagnosis soon and adjust our lives accordingly. It's not much but it does help when you know why you feel like you do.

I shall keep my fingers firmly crossed for you hun.

Hugs, Fols x

Puschinka

Thanks Toni and Fols, yes I am hoping it's not Fibro but it will be good to get to the bottom of whatever is going on with me lately anyway and know what I'm up against.
I'm still reeling from the OA diagnosis of the knees.
And yes - my GP has been a real star. And I've only been with him since all this started, it's a new surgery to me and I went to sign up with them when all this began in December and he's the GP ( there's 10 at the surgery) they gave me.
I feel I was very lucky.

xx

CJHunter

Hi Pushinka, The Fibro diagnosis aint the best but if it is this then at least u have diagnosis and treatment can begin properly.
I have also been recently diagnosed with Fibro as opposed to PA as i had been for 12yrs. I too have OA in both knees.

I have too had a positive response from my GP which is always a huge hurdle to get over.

In July i will be attending the fibro clinic at guys in london, if u want further info pm me and will pass to you, hope i havent hijacked yr post too much.

ooh b4 i forget pregabilin has realy helped my symptoms along with ami.

All the best.

roses1

Hi Pushinka,

I shall be interested to know what the rheumy has to say.

At least with a diagnosis it helps to come to terms with whats happening to you and why!

Acceptance is the first hurdle.
It not easy and it can be a long daunting road but you are not alone!

The doc would give you Amitryptyline to try dont wait

Rose x

Puschinka

Hi Rose, rheumy appntmt was originaly for May 1st but thanks to my GP,who phoned and asked them to move it forward if poss, I had a call ystday to say my appnmt is now next Tues 24th.
I've felt a bit better today, with a tiny bit more energy, knee pain managable as well and not so many stabbing pains as the previous few days.
But earlier this evening, after I had just been for a 10 min walk round the supermarket, tiredness set in again, knees are protesting :? and the shin pain is back. The odd stabbing pain in wrists and fingers too.
I honestly don't know what's going on with me.
Maybe it's just something that will pass,like a cold...( hoping here) maybe it's connected with the OA in my knees, maybe it's something to do with nerves rather than bones or muscle tissue?
All I do know is the pain is very real and although not constant, when it hits, it really hurts. And there's got to be a reason for it, surely.
I'll keep you posted how I get on at the Rheumy on Tuesday.
xx

thewifie

Oh you poor thing (((((hug))))) !

Just stabbing in the dark here but were you pushing a trolley ? The position may have been enough to press on a nerve. Another thing is shoes the height of heel or the fact they are worn down at one side or the other can throw your balance enough to press on a nerve. I do not have OA but have certainly had trapped nerves !

Puschinka

You may be on to something there, thewifey. I was pushing a trolley, yes. And I probably lean on it quite heavily as I'm trudging the isles of the supermarket.
So maybe that does have something to do with it all and impacts on various joints, muscles, nerves or whatever. :?
Perhaps I'll be a little wiser after seeing Rheumy tomorrow.

Thanks again to you and everyone else who has given their support and advice, sorry for not replying sooner, but had a not so good weekend and been tired a lot. Drained, in fact. Hate that feeling!

thewifie

(((((Puschinka))))) hope you feel better soon.

Puschinka

Thanks TW
Off for a long Radox soak before bedtime and scrub off that layer of self-pity that's covered me these last few days. x

Wonkylegs

Just popped in to say I hope your appointment goes well tomorrow.

Don't forget to write down what you mean to ask and to tell them, as in the heat of the moment it's tough to remember everything!

will be thinking of you

Wonky

Puschinka

Aaaah thanks Wonky. Really appreciate it.
I just hope the consultant I see tomorrow isn't going to be one of them that can't wait to get you out the door,cuts you off when you're talking and generally doesn't even try to appear interested and has no time for my questions.
That would put me on edge and make me feel very uncomfortable ( and angry). :x
Because I hate highly skilled and well paid professionals who have failed to learn or can't be bothered to use some people skills as well.
We'll see how it goes, I'll let everyone know.