1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

Symmetrical muscle aches

Posted by rjs64 @rjs64, Dec 17, 2022

I’ve had muscle aches in both sides of the body and typically at the same in the same muscles for about 6 weeks. Feels like it’s getting worse. Shoulders, arms, elbows, hands. legs, knees and feet. I don’t have clinical weakness and strength snd endurance also appears to be symmetrical. I have started developing random fasciculations over the past 2 weeks so I check the obvious dr Google and seem to be directed to symptoms of Als. Well that has freaked me out. So, I’ve had blood tests, mri ‘s of the brain, snd cervical spine, and emg on my arms and neck, everything shows to be normal. Has anyone experienced same? I still fear als? Do I need to have emg on my legs as well? Comments, reassurances, suggestions are welcomed. Thank you in advance.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 19, 2022

Hello @rjs64 and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a community of patients and caregivers who support one another on our journeys. If you have done much reading here, you will have seen people advise you to "Stay away from Dr Google" - he will just scare and confuse you.

First, let me say you can let go of your fear of ALS since all the findings say your strength and endurance and your emg's appear normal - those are the first signs of it, before fasciculations.

Once disease is ruled out, you need to start considering lifestyle, sleep, diet, beverages, smoking (by you or around you) and environmental factors. Don't conclude, or let anyone tell you, that it is "all in your head" - here is a reason you hurt.
Sue

I assume these have been checked, but certain vitamin & mineral deficiencies and an overactive thyroid can cause your symptoms.
So can a lingering virus, even a mild case. Or stress - a new job, residence, kids moving in or out, loss of a friend or relative.
Or it could be an allergic or inflammatory response to something in your home or office - even as simple as a change in detergent, a new pet, new car, carpet or furniture "off gassing" chemicals. Or a gas or carbon monoxide leak in home, care or workplace...

Now it is time to play detective and look at other causes for the pain. What have your doctors suggested as the next step?

REPLY
1 reply
rjs64 | @rjs64 | Dec 19, 2022
In reply to @sueinmn "Hello @rjs64 and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a community of patients and caregivers who..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hello @rjs64 and welcome to Mayo Connect. We are a community of patients and caregivers who support one another on our journeys. If you have done much reading here, you will have seen people advise you to "Stay away from Dr Google" - he will just scare and confuse you.

First, let me say you can let go of your fear of ALS since all the findings say your strength and endurance and your emg's appear normal - those are the first signs of it, before fasciculations.

Once disease is ruled out, you need to start considering lifestyle, sleep, diet, beverages, smoking (by you or around you) and environmental factors. Don't conclude, or let anyone tell you, that it is "all in your head" - here is a reason you hurt.
Sue

I assume these have been checked, but certain vitamin & mineral deficiencies and an overactive thyroid can cause your symptoms.
So can a lingering virus, even a mild case. Or stress - a new job, residence, kids moving in or out, loss of a friend or relative.
Or it could be an allergic or inflammatory response to something in your home or office - even as simple as a change in detergent, a new pet, new car, carpet or furniture "off gassing" chemicals. Or a gas or carbon monoxide leak in home, care or workplace...

Now it is time to play detective and look at other causes for the pain. What have your doctors suggested as the next step?

Jump to this post

Thanks for your reply Sue. Yes, I fear als because of my symptoms of muscle ache, or burning, and lots of faciculations continue and are getting worse. Fasciculations started about a month after the limb soreness began. They too are random in both severity and location. Of late, I’ve even had some full muscle jerks or spasms the arms and legs. This is odd as the muscle feelings are symmetrical and come and go. For example both thighs might burn, or both firearms, or both feet or both thumbs. I do have anxiety and am taking meds for it, have for 20 plus years. This is not good when I don’t know what’s causing these things. Saw a neurologist a month ago and all in office tests were normal. I’ve had a full scope of blood tests (all normal) and an emg of arms and neck. Also normal.

Re next steps. The myleographer suggested the legs be tested with emg although he didn’t expect a different result.

Seems to be a wait and see with physicians. Kinda makes sense as I don’t have weakness. Maybe that develops? I don’t know, when your muscles are denerving, is weakness a gradual or sudden thing?

I’m going to try massages tomorrow.

Other than that I’m open to suggestions, and reassurances given my symptoms. Many thanks in advance.

REPLY
1 reply
rashida | @rashida | Dec 21, 2022
In reply to @rjs64 "Thanks for your reply Sue. Yes, I fear als because of my symptoms of muscle ache,..." + (show)
@rjs64

Thanks for your reply Sue. Yes, I fear als because of my symptoms of muscle ache, or burning, and lots of faciculations continue and are getting worse. Fasciculations started about a month after the limb soreness began. They too are random in both severity and location. Of late, I’ve even had some full muscle jerks or spasms the arms and legs. This is odd as the muscle feelings are symmetrical and come and go. For example both thighs might burn, or both firearms, or both feet or both thumbs. I do have anxiety and am taking meds for it, have for 20 plus years. This is not good when I don’t know what’s causing these things. Saw a neurologist a month ago and all in office tests were normal. I’ve had a full scope of blood tests (all normal) and an emg of arms and neck. Also normal.

Re next steps. The myleographer suggested the legs be tested with emg although he didn’t expect a different result.

Seems to be a wait and see with physicians. Kinda makes sense as I don’t have weakness. Maybe that develops? I don’t know, when your muscles are denerving, is weakness a gradual or sudden thing?

I’m going to try massages tomorrow.

Other than that I’m open to suggestions, and reassurances given my symptoms. Many thanks in advance.

Jump to this post

@rjs64 - your problem makes me think of the latest diagnosis - Stiff Person Syndrome with which Celine Dion has been diagnosed. It is something new, and like Fibromyalgia and Lyme disease it will take some time to be recognized as most doctors may not be familiar with it so may fail to make the diagnosis …? Just wondering … 🤷🏼‍♀️

REPLY
rjs64 | @rjs64 | Dec 21, 2022

Thanks Rashida. Appreciate your thoughts.

REPLY
jlharsh | @jlharsh | Dec 24, 2022

The only description I could clearly articulate when I complained of muscle problems 2006-2009 was “symmetrical”. My doc at the time told me after I began asking about specific conditions, “We are Mayo. We have tested for everything.” I had genetic testing and referred closer to home for a regular blood treatment to treat my med-resistant high cholesterol due to familial hypercholesterolemia. Fast forward to now and my health is worsened. More genetic testing and more lipids dysfunction pinned down, back to Mayo who is walking me through addressing symptoms one at a time. Turns out the FH is only part of what is going on. Symptoms include muscles, tendons, blood pressure, GI, plus more. So, my problems now appear to be circulation/blood flow and food absorption related.

My thoughts: find a doctor you trust. Keep researching and asking questions. From there, do not get hung up on diagnosing, let your doctor work on that. Don’t settle but don’t make diagnosing your daily end-all. You really want your symptoms relieved and going through that process will give you more better days sooner AND help your doctor rule things out at the same time. The thing your doctor cannot do for you is articulate your symptoms. That is the role you are the expert at. Hope this makes sense.

REPLY
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