I have had Fibro since I was 16, actually 20 years now. It does sound like you have some of the symptoms. I am also wondering if you may have Rhuematiod Arthritis because of the joint involvement. Your headaches may actually be Cluster Headaches if they continue to reoccur frequently and you have a sharp pain around one eye. My clusters usually sit in the back of my head until a spike hits me in the eye (what it feels like). Also, these conditions can co-exist (you can have them both). I don t believe I have ever taken Accutane. Fibromyalgia associated syndromes It is not unusual for fibromyalgia patients to have an array of bodily complaints other than musculoskeletal pain. It is now thought that these symptoms are a result of the abnormal sensory processing – as described in the previous section. Recognition and treatment of these associated problems are important in the overall management of your fibromyalgia. Non-restorative sleep Cognitive dysfunction Chronic fatigue Cold intolerance Restless leg syndrome Multiple sensitivities Irritable bowel syndrome Dizziness Irritable bladder syndrome Neurally mediated hypotension 1. Chronic fatigue: The common treatable cause of chronic fatigue in fibromyalgia patients are: (1) inappropriate dosing of medications (TCAs, drugs with antihistamine actions, benzodiazapines etc.), (2) depression, (3) aerobic deconditioning, (3) a primary sleep disorder (e.g. sleep apnea), (4) non-restorative sleep (see above) and (5) neurally mediated hypotension (see below). A new drug called Provigil is of some help when used intermittently for management of fatigue. 2. Restless leg syndrome: This strictly refers to daytime (usually maximal in the evening) symptoms of (1) unusual sensations in the lower limbs (but can occur in arms or even scalp) that are often described as paresthesia (numbness, tingling, itching, muscle crawling) and (2) a restlessness, in that stretching or walking eases the sensory symptoms. This daytime symptomatology is nearly always accompanied by a sleep disorder - now referred to as periodic limb movement disorder (formerly nocturnal myoclonus). Treatment is simple and very effective – DOPA / Levodopa (Sinemet) in an early evening dose of 10/100 (a minority require a higher dose or use of the long acting preparations). 3. Irritable bowel syndrome: This common syndrome of GI distress that occurs in about 20% of the general population is found in about 60% of fibromyalgia patients. The symptoms are those of abdominal pain, distension with an altered bowel habit (constipation, diarrhea or an alternating disturbance). Typically the abdominal discomfort is improved by bowel evacuation. Due to abnormal sensory processing these symptoms may be quite distressing to fibromyalgia patients. Treatment involves (1) elimination of foods that aggravate symptoms, (2) minimizing psychological distress, (3) adhering to basic rules for maintaining a regular bowel habit, (4) prescribing medications for specific symptoms; constipation (stool softener, fiber supplementation and gentle laxatives such as bisacodyl), diarrhea (loperamide or diphenoxylate) and antispasmodics (dicyclomine or anticholinergic / sedative preparations such as Donnatal). 4. Irritable bladder syndrome: This is found in 40-60% of fibromyalgia patients. The initial incorrect diagnoses are usually recurrent urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis or a gynecological condition. Once these possibilities have been ruled out a diagnosis of irritable bladder syndrome (also called female urethal syndrome) should be considered. The typical symptoms are those of suprapubic discomfort with an urgency to void, often accompanied by frequency and dysuria. In a sub-population of fibromyalgia patients this is related to a myofascial trigger point in the pubic insertion of the rectus abdominus muscles – and may be helped by a procaine myofascial trigger point injection). Treatment: involves (1) increasing intake of water, (2) avoiding bladder irritants such as fruit juices (especially cranberry), (3) pelvic floor exercises (e.g. Kagel exercises) and the prescription of antispasmodic medications (e.g. oxybutinin, flavoxate, hyoscamine). 5. Cognitive dysfunction: This is a common problem for many fibromyalgia patients. It adversely affects the ability to be competitively employed and may cause concern as to an early dementing type of neurodegenerative disease. In practice the latter concern has never been a problem and patients can be reassured. The cause of poor memory and problems with concentration is, in most patients, related to the distracting effects of chronic pain and mental fatigue. Thus the effective treatment of cognitive dysfunction in fibromyalgia is dependent on the successful management of the other symptoms. 6. Cold intolerance: About 30% of fibromyalgia patients complain of cold intolerance. In most cases this amounts to needing warmer clothing or turning up the heat in their homes. Some patients develop a true primary Raynaud’s phenomenon (which may mislead an unknowing physician to consider diagnoses such as SLE or scleroderma. Many fibromyalgia patients have cold hands and feet, and some have cutis marmorata (a lace like pattern of violaceous discoloration of their extremities on cold exposure). Treatment involves: (1) keeping warm, (2) low-grade aerobic exercise (which improves peripheral circulation), (3) treatment of neurally mediated hypotension (see below), and (4) the prescription of vasodilators such as the calcium channel blockers (but these may aggravate the problem in-patients with hypotension). 7. Multiple sensitivities: One result of disordered sensory processing is that many sensations are amplified in fibromyalgia patients. In general fibromyalgia patients are less tolerant of adverse weather, loud noises, bright lights and other sensory overloads. Treatment involves being aware that this is a fibromyalgia-related problem and employing avoidance tactics. 8. Dizziness: Is a common complaint of fibromyalgia patients. Before this symptom is attributable to fibromyalgia a thorough for other causes should be pursued (e.g. postural vertigo, vestibular disorders, 8th nerve tumors, demyelinating disorders, brain stem ischemia and cervical myelopathy). In many cases no obvious cause is found, despite sophisticated testing. Treatable causes related to fibromyalgia include: (1) proprioceptive dysfunction secondary to muscle deconditioning, (2) proprioceptive dysfunction secondary to myofascial trigger points in the sterno-cleido-mastoids and other neck muscles, (3) Neurally mediated hypotension (see below) and (4) medication side effects. Treatment is dependent on making an accurate diagnosis. In patients in whom no obvious cause is found a trial of physical therapy, concentrating on proprioceptive awareness may prove worthwhile. 9. Neurally mediated hypotension: Patients with this problem usually have a low blood pressure that does not go up normally on standing or on exercise. Although such patients often have a low ambient BP with postural changes, these findings are not a prerequisite for diagnosis. A tilt table test with the infusion of isproterenol is the most reliable way to confirm this diagnosis. Treatment involves: (1) education as to the triggering factors and their avoidance, (2) increasing plasma volume (increased salt intake, prescription of florinef), (3) avoidance of drugs that aggravate hypotension (e.g. TCA’s, anti-hypertensives), (4) prevent reflex (prescribe β-adrenergic antagonists or disopyramide) and (5) minimize the efferent limb of the reflex (prescribe α2-adrenergic agonists or anti-cholinergic agents). SYMPTOMS PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS: __ recurrent flu-like illness __ recurrent sore throats, red and injected __ painful lymph nodes under the arms and neck __ muscle and joint aches with tender and trigger points - up to 18 of them __ night sweats and fever __ severe nasal and other allergies __ irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) __ weight change - usually gain __ heart palpitations __ mitral valve prolapse __ severe PMS __ yeast infections __ rashes and itching __ uncomfortable or frequent urination __ interstitial bladder cystitis __ chest pains (non-cardiac) __ temporomandibular joint dysfunction (in the jaw) __ hair loss __ carpal tunnel syndrome __ cold hands and feet __ dry eyes and mouth __ severe and debilitating fatigue __ widespread pain __ other chronic illness(es) usually present (like diabetes, hypoglycemia, asthma, lupus, ms, etc.) __ numbness in the limbs, not painful like pins amp; needles __ painful swelling in the hands, legs, feet, neck __ GERDs (gastro-esophageal reflux disorder) __ “growing pains” start in childhood and teens, continue into adulthood __ widespread body pain during/after physical exertion COGNITIVE FUNCTION PROBLEMS: __ attention deficit disorder __ spatial disorientation __ calculation difficulties __ memory disturbance __ communication difficulties (problems speaking, confusing words) PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS: __ depression __ anxiety and panic attacks __ personality changes, usually for the worse __ emotional lability (mood swings) OTHER NERVOUS SYSTEM PROBLEMS: __ sleep disturbances __ headaches __ changes in visual acuity __ numb or tingling feelings __ burning sensations __ light headedness __ feeling spaced out __ desequilibrium __ frequent unusual nightmares and disturbing dreams __ tinnitus (ringing in the ears) __ difficulty in moving your tongue to speak __ severe muscle weakness __ susceptibility to muscle, tendon, ligament injury __ intolerance to bright lights __ intolerance to alcohol __ intolerance to sound __ extreme sensitivity to medications and their side-effects __ alteration of taste, smell, and hearing __ insomnia __ inability to achieve stage 4 restorative sleep __ morning stiffness in the muscles and joints __ restless leg syndrome __ muscle spasms __ muscle quakiness and shivering during/after activity or exercise __ sleep paralysis (related to stage 4 sleep deprivation)
you can find info and ask questions or get support at the following web site, it deals with many pelvic problems www.ic-network.com Report Abuse
You need to read quot;The MindBody Prescriptionquot;, by Dr. John Sarno. And get his book on tape quot;Mind Over Back Painquot;. I m telling you he saved my life. I had horrible chronic and acute neck/back pain for 15 years. A few weeks after reading his books I was literally pain free. My friend who told me about it was practically yelling at me to get the book. She was bedridden and was nearly free of pain in a couple of days. You have to open your mind to what he is saying because it sounds far-fetched. The condition is known as TMS, but don t go researching it without first reading his books. They were going to do surgery on me THE NEXT WEEK by removing two discs from my neck and fusing the vertibrae. Even my doctors, neurologists, and chiropractors told me it was inevitable. Well, here I am, pain free and able to dance once a week, play basketball. Shoot, I couldn t even walk without pain in my arms before. Numbness and tingling gone. My arm muscles were measurably smaller. Also, I was on steroids, percoset, celebrex, ibuprofen (which I ll never take again for anything less than obvious swelling - inflammation IS your body healing itself), tylenol, skelaxon. You name it. I now take nothing. For a while I took aspirin, but even that is gone. Do NOT let them cut you up without doing this. Go to Amazon NOW and get the books!!!! Good luck. EDIT: I forgot to mention that I had acid reflux quot;diseasequot; (known for the past zillion years as heartburn), sleep problems, and Sciatica.
Simply put: yes, it sounds like you could have fibro. Blessed be, Gypsy
If you think you are sick, you should go to the doctor and not try to diagnose yourself over the internet.
I took accutane for a while serveral years ago. I know it seemed to F me up at the time, but I am unsure of any long term affects directly attributed to this medication. There are too many variables in my case, the use of multiple recreational drugs since my accutane days make it hard to pinpoint the source of my chronic fatigue and mental instability :S
best bet... go see a professional. No one can diagnose you just by hearing your symptoms. And with a lot of people, they read symptoms, and dig deep to try to find something even close to it! Good luck.
No comments:
Post a Comment