Neuropathy and fibromyalgia unbearable pain
I am 68 years old and was told I had fibromyalgia in its early years when nobody believed it to be real so I suffered many years trying to get help. Now for the last year I have struggled with leg and feet pain and I was told it was the fibromyalgia and exercise would help. My legs became so weak i started falling and the muscle mass started disappearing. They say it is neuropathy. I am on gabapentin, duloxetine, tizanidine and hydrocodone and started my 2nd round of physical therapy. Honestly nothing is working very good and I keep falling 😌
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The fibromyalgia was years of elimination testing. That was 20 years ago. I have had numerous trips brain and spine. I have had disc replacement in my neck and yes spine is very painful and I am under a spine doctor's care. I did have a number of emg's done and blood work done. When they check for necessary blood levels they have only found my potassium and folic acid to be to low and I have been on both of them perception strengths. I can't seem to keep them up for the last year. I have had skin punch test done on my feet without any thing showing up. Now I do have tumors in both lungs, thyroid gland and adrenal gland and now they just told me there is a discoloration on my vocal cords and they said it is possible cancer yet they decided to wait 3 months to see if the discoloration changes more then they will do a biopsy. None of the doctor seems to not be worried about any of that. So I'm not thinking there is cancer in any of the tumor. I have also had my choking has definitely taken a turn for the worse but again the doctor doesn't see any reason for it so no further test to find out why I choke on nothing except saliva or nothing at all. I guess that is why I came here and asked for help. As far as the neuropathy, again none of the doctors are addressing it. My muscles are actually caving in and disappearing but nobody is doing anything. So I just wondered if anyone here can help me or give me information about all of this mess or is it just old age
Yes my doctor made sure I got a walker and I do use a scooter to go to my neighbors or to work in my backyard.
It is killing me because I have always been very active. It was just two years ago I was digging up a 100 feet of walkway and laying cement. I leveled a 12x12 spot for my gazebo and played cement for it. And now I can't walk 20 feet without my legs giving out. It just is hard to be in so much pain.
I have gone off all of the meds because I don't like taking it. I have had injections in my back but unfortunately they didn't work. I was hit by a car years ago and it did mess up my back a bit but I have fought against meds all these years until now but it is now the only way I can get out of bed on my bad days.
I am sorry to hear this. I hope you find someone that will listen and help you. It has been a long road of pain and frustration for me. The worst thing for me is the judgment from people about the pain, meds because people haven't felt my pain. Most of the time I will only take a half of pill because of what people say. I wish you better luck and medical care than I have had for the last 20 years. Fibromyalgia is a curse because some doctors believe it to be real and some of them don't.
I have had numerous doctors over the years. I have moved states and doctors always start over and stop all meds and they always end up giving me the same meds. I have pretty well give up. I figured at my age they don't care. I am of the expendable age.
I have fibromyalgia diagnosed in 2006 but probably had it longer and I have neuropathy with pain and weakness in my legs. I find swimming several times a week along with doing some ofmy physical therapy exercises in the water each time I swim, helps with strengthening and pain in my legs.
Welcome @nymamma2, Thank you for sharing what helps with your neuropathy pain and weakness. There are also many different related discussions on "neuropathy and fibromyalgia" that you might find helpful. Here is a search link that lists the discussions and comments from other members - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=neuropathy+and+fibromyalgia.
@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 for letting me know about this other group. I've also been diagnosed with PMR and found that group this morning. Never a dull moment!!!