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Fibro or just temporary muscle spasms? Desperately need help!

Posted , 4 users are following.

tyra21865
tyra21865

Hi all, I'm 28 and trying to figure out why I have this 2 month long muscle pain It's in my neck, shoulders and occassionally lower back.

The neck and shoulder pain began 2 months ago. I've had X rays and an MRI, the X rays showed normal bones with no degeneration but straightening of the cervical curve of the neck, and this was caused apparently by muscle spasms. The MRI showed normal bones but presence of muscle spasms. My neck still feels kind of stiff and achy all the time, and the pain shapeshifts/travels sometimes between left to right side of neck to shoulder.

And I have low back pain sometimes too, but I've had a full spine X ray and it showed totally normal bones and no arthritis anywhere. Generally, the whole neck+shoulders+back feels more delicate of late, and my neck/back starts to pain more easily if I do lifting/room-clearing/ moving around. 

However, I don't have pain in any of the other "tender points" (chest, arms, elbows, feet, knees.) So it's not "widespread." My arms and legs are fine. Only my left knee and foot sometimes feels a bit tingly, but its very, very mild and its not 'pain'. And I don't have trouble sleeping, no headaches, no difficulty sleeping unless I get really anxious, but I get a full 9 hours. Also, no fatigue at all, and no brain fog. No memory issues. 

My doc hasn't diagnosed fibromyalgia, he just feels this is caused by stress and advised me to avoid certain people in my family situation that are not going to change and that I need to sever from. He prescribed curcumin tablets for 3 months. Also, told me to get checked out by a physio therapist because all the docs I've seen agree that there's a bit of spasm still left in my neck. He very definitely told me I DON'T have nerve pain, and the neurologist agreed I don't have nerve pain as well. Tomorrow I'm going to an acupuncturist who's worked miracles on many friends I know. 

The thing is, though no one has said i have it, I'm just terrified it's fibromyalgia because everybody seems to insist there's no cure. The doctor said what I have is not necessarily permanent and can go away, but he also said if I don't lose the stress it could stay for 2 years! I just really reassurance because I'm reaching breaking point. I've struggled a LOT this year (family/ deadlines, but mostly family problems) this year and I've overcome a long-running laryngeal problem completely for good, but i don't think I can handle fibro added to the list. I hope someone out there can help provide a perspective/ ANY inputs because I feel really isolated about this ... Million thanks and support to all!

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • linda18441
    linda18441 tyra21865

    Posted

    Hi tyra I get pain in my neck and lower back. The lower back pain started off as sciatica after a fall i lost feeling in my left leg for a while. My neck though seems a mystery i hurt it when i was 13 but since i was diagnosed with fibro my neck hurts clicks never feels right when i look up i get dizzy and shake and when at work and im stressed it spasms. So i know how that feels but no one has said to me its part of fibro funny though how its been hurting since i was diagnosed though. Hope someon can get help for you. I see pain management at hospital and as im now getting pins and needles in my arms and hands and keep dropping things they are going to send me for another mri. I too feel like im at breaking point and wonder how much more is going to be thrown at me and if ill manage . Good luck with getting help would like to know what result you get.
  • anni_04141
    anni_04141 tyra21865

    Posted

    Hi tyra 

    have you had MRI of your spine or neck? Maybe worth an ask because some conditions such as AS will not appear on an X-ray they can take many years to appear on one and even an MRI may not but more of a chance than an X-ray as the damage takes a lot longer than some other arhtitic conditions. 

    Have you seen a rheumatologist yet? They are the ones who normally diagnoise fibro when everything else is ruled out and have you had blood tests looking at your inflammatory markers and to look for any autoimmune conditions? I'm new to fibro but I was told I have this condition after a third opoinion after first being diagnoised with RA then sero negative inflammatory arthritis then told nope it's fibro I have now on my 4th rheumey  been told I have an inflammorty arthritis as well as mild fibro and that fibro comes in hand in hand with arthritis Symptoms. 

    My advise to you if you don't feel you have adequate diagnoise and treatment go for a second opinion and ask for more tests so you can get to the bottom of what is going on. A handy tip I saw my consultant Monday as he said my symptoms don't fit completely with fibro alone because I don't get the tiredness and I havnt got all the trigger points. He said people with fibro will have a good night sleep but wake up and feel like they haven't slept something I don't completely suffer with and I also have swelling. 

    Really hope this helps you and you get to the bottom of it xx 

    • tyra21865
      tyra21865 anni_04141

      Posted

      Thanks so much for your reply, Anni! I have had an MRI, it was totally normal except for muscle spasms and slight straightening of cervical curve caused by muscle spasms. The doctor's told me it's not fibro, and all i know is, it's been there for 2 months and it's not major pain but it's not going away.. thanks again xxx

  • julie02793
    julie02793 tyra21865

    Posted

    Hi Tara

    Have you looked at Myofacial Pain Syndrome.

     

    • tyra21865
      tyra21865 julie02793

      Posted

      Hi Julie, this is SUPER helpful...i didn't even know there was such a thing! Is it easier to cure/ get rid of myofacial pain? I looked it up but can't find the exact treatment for it. I'm wondering if local anaesthesia shots in the areas where there's pain  might help/ is safe enough? Many thanks for the reply! xxxx

  • denise85279
    denise85279 tyra21865

    Posted

    sorry buot your problems t. may be it,s the start of a frozen shoulder? thas how mine seems to have started ! ( just a thought ) neck then shoulders then i couldne move my arm at all in the end they had to manipulate it under full anasestic ...
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