Neuropathy and fibromyalgia unbearable pain

I’m not yet 60 and I choke on my food occasionally. A year ago I had to have my esophagus enlarged due to thinning. That alone tells me there is some atrophy. I’m choking again. I don’t want to go through the procedure again. It wasn’t painful until afterwards. I have SFN, Trigeminal Neuralgia, migraines, occipital Neuralgia and FMS. I’ve been told I have CFS as well. Darn it….I’m just tired of all of it. I’m waiting for a miracle so I can be whole again.

@jadene
You are young and only 68 and should not be dismissed or invalidated just due to age, being female and having chronic pain. Please, do not give up advocating for your health and care. Do you have a family member or friend who could go with you to all of your appointments and review all test results, imaging, doctors’ notes? If not, ask for help locally. There may be health advocates you can get through senior centers, social workers, Medicare/Medicaid, health insurance.

Have you requested all medical records from all doctors and reviewed them in detail yourself? The more educated you can be on your tests, treatments, medications, diagnoses, etc. the better. Doctors miss things that show up on reports all the time. I have found many things myself not ever mentioned to me by a doctor. You may need to find better, highly rated doctors to help you because it doesn’t seem you are getting the right diagnoses and treatment and you don’t seem to be getting information and understanding of your current health conditions, only your symptoms (need neurologist/neuromuscular specialist, ENT, orthopedic spine specialist, endocrinologist for thyroid/adrenal gland, pulmonologist for lungs, hematologist/oncologist for blood abnormalities/tumors, physical and occupational therapists, and nutritionist/dietitian to help with diet/supplements to support health improvement). You should be getting biopsies of your thyroid and lung nodules, ultrasounds, and updated MRI of cervical spine to make sure you do not have new degeneration and compression of spinal cord (myelopathy) and nerve roots. Same goes for lumbar spine.

From what you have shared, it seems to me you have fibromyalgia, neuropathy, spinal compression, thyroid issues/nodules, adrenal gland tumor, lung nodules/tumors, vocal cord changes, swallowing issues, muscle wasting, low potassium, low folic acid, balance/dizziness/weakness and falling, etc. Here is what Artificial Intelligence responds with to your conditions:

“ It sounds like you're describing a complex set of medical conditions and symptoms. Each of these issues can significantly impact a person's health and quality of life. Here's a brief overview of each condition and how they might relate to one another:
1. Fibromyalgia
A chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. It can be exacerbated by stress and other health issues.
2. Neuropathy
Refers to damage or dysfunction of the nerves, often leading to pain, tingling, or weakness, particularly in the extremities. It can be caused by various factors, including diabetes, infections, and autoimmune diseases.
3. Spinal Compression
This can occur due to herniated discs, bone spurs, or other spinal issues, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs. It may also contribute to balance problems.
4. Thyroid Issues/Nodules
Thyroid disorders can affect metabolism and energy levels. Nodules may require monitoring or treatment, depending on their nature (benign or malignant).
5. Adrenal Gland Tumor
Tumors on the adrenal glands can affect hormone production, leading to various symptoms, including fatigue, weight changes, and mood swings.
6. Lung Nodules/Tumors
These can be benign or malignant and may require further investigation. Symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
7. Vocal Cord Changes
Changes in the vocal cords can affect speech and swallowing. This may be related to neurological issues or other underlying conditions.
8. Swallowing Issues
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can be caused by neurological conditions, structural issues, or muscle weakness.
9. Muscle Wasting
This can occur due to disuse, malnutrition, or underlying diseases. It may be related to the other conditions mentioned.
10. Low Potassium and Low Folic Acid
These deficiencies can lead to various health issues, including muscle weakness, fatigue, and neurological symptoms. They may be related to diet, absorption issues, or other medical conditions.
11. Balance/Dizziness/Weakness and Falling
These symptoms can be interconnected and may arise from neurological issues, muscle weakness, or medication side effects. They can significantly increase the risk of falls.
Management and Considerations
Given the complexity of these conditions, a multidisciplinary approach is often necessary. This may include:
Medical Management: Regular monitoring and treatment from healthcare providers, including specialists such as neurologists, endocrinologists, and pulmonologists.
Physical Therapy: To improve strength, balance, and mobility.
Nutritional Support: Addressing deficiencies in potassium and folic acid through diet or supplements.
Psychological Support: Counseling or support groups may help manage the emotional impact of chronic illness.
If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, it's crucial to work closely with healthcare professionals to develop a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to individual needs.”

Thank you so much for this detailed response to Jadene and others. I have just begun to try to address worsening pain in my left hip and leg, sciatic nerve, knee joints and lower back muscles. This pain, which is clearly all connected, began to get worse during this past year. Like many others posting here, have had a struggle getting medical personnel to respond appropriately to my pain. I have been to physical therapy, want to start again, had an x-ray, visited an orthopedic surgeon, who clearly just wanted to jump to hip replacement, which I do not want to do except as a last resort. I am going to start a new supplement, and will see if that provides any relief. For some reason, my providers seem very resistant to scheduling an MRI, which might reveal more information about tissue damage. I continue the quest to get back to a more normal, active life. Best wishes to everyone here struggling with chronic pain.

I'm saddened to read how many of us are still suffering. I was diagnosed with FM 20+ years ago, and struggled daily to live a normal life. Finally, after so many drugs not working, I was prescribed low-dose naltrexone (small NIH study available), and I am finding some relief! Less pain, and more energy! Not 100% yet, but it's only been a few weeks.

I hope this information helps...

Hi. I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through this. Have you been tested for diabetes? I would check the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and similar conditions before resigning yourself to having fibromyalgia. Doctors don't always have the time to fully investigate, so it pays to do your own thorough research sometimes.
I hope you find the answers to your symptoms & hope you feel better soon.