Extreme fatigue and pain

Posted by rvickert @rvickert, Jun 9, 2020

I currently have stenosis in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions of my back with a pinched nerve root at L2. I have had 4 surgeries at the lumbar level involving all disks. The last was last year. I understand disc degeneration but this seems fast.

For the past 20 years, I have had severe fatigue, weakness and chronic pain which seems to worsen daily. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia many years ago and have a positive ANA, rheumatoid factor and see rate of 47. There are lots of tiny lumps that can be felt in my arms and larger ones in my legs and stomach area. These hurt and cause bruising when palpitated.
My children are exhibiting the same symptoms as I have at close to the same age of onset (ages 30 and 32) They complain of back pain as well. I have difficulty thinking often as if digging through a dense fog.

Is there any single illness that would exhibit these symptoms? Doctors run tests, determine nothing and say other symptoms are not in their area. I need help! Any suggestions are appreciated.

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@rvickert

Hi Ginger! I don’t know how Mayo handles patient care. I am 10 hours away from Jacksonville so I can’t see any way of staying there long enough to get any help.

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@rickvert May I suggest you look into how to get an appointment or second opinion, by going to this link. http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
You do not necessarily need to be referred by your doctor.
Ginger

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Have you been diagnosed with fibro? Have you ever heard of chronic fatigue syndrome, which is a completely different disease that fibromyalgia, although they do have some similarities...

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@rarelybees2889 I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 20 years ago. I’ve tried all the meds that are supposed to help with no results. I don’t know if chronic fatigue was ever considered.

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You mentioned the pinched nerves with just about every area in your back. Have they looked at or tested for tethered cord syndrome? It’s very rare but is beginning to get some traction regarding a basis for chronic fatigue like syndromes. Dr Nancy Klimas at Nova Southeastern in Florida is an industry leader. Also, Jennifer Brea. My mother has chronic fatigue and has just about everything you have mentioned. How is your immune system? Do you constantly run temperatures? What about vision, digestion, food sensitivities, allergies, light sensitivities, etc?

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Does anyone know if thousands (maybe not quite that many) of tiny bumps which can be felt but not seen mostly on areas with muscle are part of fibromyalgia? They hurt when pressed and some are bigger than others. Attempts to break them up usually results in bruising. This may be normal or a nothing problem. It is easily dismissed by my doctors but seems to be associated with my pain

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I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue and with fibromyalgia. I also have those bumps you describe on both of my thighs. They feel like pressure points when you palpate them. I'm following along to see what you find out....

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@terri672

I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue and with fibromyalgia. I also have those bumps you describe on both of my thighs. They feel like pressure points when you palpate them. I'm following along to see what you find out....

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@terri672 I.ve had fibro for over 30 yrs and the bumps never go away but I have found using me TENS UNIT this does relax the muscles so I use this since fibro affects not only muscles and nerves

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@lioness

@terri672 I.ve had fibro for over 30 yrs and the bumps never go away but I have found using me TENS UNIT this does relax the muscles so I use this since fibro affects not only muscles and nerves

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Thank you ladies. I wonder why the bumps aren’t part of the diagnostic description? Maybe only some of us have them?

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@rvickert I am still not sure I know the size of bumps you speak of, but I have tiny bumps, about half the size of BBs which have spread over the outer portion of my lower arms. They are hard to see, but you can feel them if you rub your hand gently over the areas. They are a little lighter in color than the rest of the skin, and do bruise if squeezed or bumped. In my case, they are part of the symptomatic and sign workup for Gelsolin and perhaps other forms of Amyloidosis. This does not mean you have this, but the bumps are listed. They seem quite close together. Another possibility for larger bumps around shoulders, upper arms, chest, is various Lymphs. Even larger yet are fatty cysts. I have them all.

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Go to a rhemetologist, you need a specialist

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