Neuropathy and fibromyalgia unbearable pain

Posted by jadene @jadene, 3 days ago

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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@bdobbins

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.

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Oh how i understand you. It has been a long road trying to get better. But new things just keep coming and the old just get worse. My choking happens 2 and 3 times a day. It's awful to choke on nothing and choke on food. I eliminate foods that make me choke but now I am running out of things I can eat. I cut everything up tiny and eat very slow. I wish you well and good luck. Choking is a terrible thing to live with.

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@dlydailyhope

@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.”

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Thank you so much for all of this information. I have been to everyone of those specialists at one time or another with them not being concerned about any of it, so if they thought it was unconcerned I wasn't going to keep coming to the city to have them say " we'll it has grown and a new one has developed, but we will check again in 6 months " same thing for the adrenal gland.

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