Serious pain in my left arm- Pinched nerve caused by PA? [Archive] - National Psoriasis Foundation message board

tpd70

12-22-2006, 05:09 AM

MJ,

Your post really caught my attention. I will try to make my long story short. About 6 weeks ago my right arm started to feel fatigued. Kind of like the muscle weekness you have after a good workout. 3 weeks later it was so bad I started dropping stuff. My wrist had absolutely no strength left. It was starting to curl up like I had cerebal paulsey (sp?). I happen to have a Rhuemy appointment 2 weeks ago and spoke to him about it. He became very concerned and he personally called and set up a Nuerologist appointment for me (right in the middle of my appt with him). This appointment was 2 days later. None the less I was very concerned about it when I saw his reaction.

Nueroligist suggested it was probably carpel tunnel. But because I was on weekly shots of Humira and MTX he needed to persue testing. (I guess Humira has shown some MS type side effects, however very rare.) I had a couple of test done, one called a ECT (I think) and one that they shocked me. The tests showed that I had some carpel tunnel, but certainly something was going on with my nerves. I had an MRI done 2 nights ago and waiting for results. I am in a catch 22. I hope it is not being caused by Humira as it has changed my life with both P and PA. On the flip side I hope it is not something else. I will keep you posted.

Zwijndrecht

12-22-2006, 10:15 AM

MJ,
I would caution you to spend very little time with no answers with a GP for a pinched nerve on an arm that goes down to legs with a pain level of 10. I would listen to the MRI results and if no answers are given would find a neurologist first and rheumy second.

If you are of age or family history that a heart attack is possible, you may want to consider that and get to an ER of a place with cardiac care to check you. I am not a doctor but I do know that women have different symptoms from heart attack than men...and some of that you discussed is a male symptom..although not usually to the feet, I think. It is not uncommon for GP's to miss them.

I question the immediate onset being related to PA, but you never know. In your case it is best to be wrong and alive than....do not take chances. I am not at all a doctor but make sure you consider these things.

Med Net lists:
Classic Heart Attack Symptoms

Squeezing chest pain or pressure
Shortness of breath
Sweating
Tightness in chest
Pain spreading to shoulders, neck or arm
Feeling of heartburn or indigestion with or without nausea and vomiting
Sudden dizziness or brief loss of consciousness

Symptoms More Likely in Women

Indigestion or gas-like pain
Dizziness, nausea or vomiting
Unexplained weakness, fatigue
Discomfort/pain between shoulder blades
Recurring chest discomfort
Sense of impending doom

Best of luck and I sincerely hope it is something simple like a pinched nerve.

Z

trillsie

12-27-2006, 06:14 AM

I've had a pinched nerve in my arm for years. I've had it repaired once but was told at that time that it wouldn't work for the long term so I've opted to just let it go. It's annoying, but there's no pain involved. In fact it's more of a numbing sensation and the only time it really bothers me is if I sleep on it, I'll wake up to a numb hand.

The pain you describe sounds odd to me, because like I said, I've had it for years and there's never been any pain. I highly recommend going to see a neurologist who can check your nerve with electrodes. It sounds frightening, but it really isn't. Nor does it hurt too badly.

There's medication that can help a pinched nerve. In my case, it was so bad that it did require the surgery, which did help. At least now I have feeling in my hand when before it was totally numb. It was to the point that I cut my finger and didn't know it until my son told me I was bleeding. That cut required 4 stitches.

Good luck to you. I hope it is as simple as a pinched nerve instead of something more serious, but you had best get it checked out thoroughly.

GitOverIt

12-27-2006, 09:03 AM

Hi My DH had this several years back and my DD gets it every year as do her co workers (their busy season causes this- they all work at computers doing photoshop and I imagine its the tenseness plus long hours that brings it on) my DH went to a neurologist and was told it was caused by a bulging disc up in the neck area....and he could do one of two things....use medicines to ease the pain and relax the area and wait it out (the doc doc did say it would eventually go away (and it did) or get it operated on....neither of them has arthritis....
I agree with above poster on getting to a specialist though....
I guess you'll know more after the MRI.....I had sciatica from a bulging disc and was flat on my back (and in the worst pain of my life) several years back!
Mine was brought on by low B12 (which carries oxygen to the nerves through the blood stream) I am now on B12 injections (pernicious anemia)
good luck Mary Jean....I know the pain is terrible from this....and no one knows til they experience it..........

pambythelake

12-27-2006, 09:24 AM

Mary Jean
My arm is just getting better. I had a pinched nerve in my shoulder and arm for two weeks, the pain was awful. I finally went to the dr and he told me it was a pinched nerve. It was bought on by a lot of computer typing I was doing on a website. It was the hand that I used the most in writing and typing. I used hot and cold packs, ibuprofen & stopped using my arm much as I could (that was hard) and finally it is better. The dr recommended massages, or PT
as well. I can still feel it if I over do the computer work.
I never thought it could be caused by Psoriasis or Enbrel. Anything is possible I guess but in my cause I know I had over done it. I was worried about the heart issues as well. I waited to long to get to a dr could have had relief sooner. so hope you will have it check out.

Pam

Dulane

12-27-2006, 01:02 PM

I had a pinched nerve in my hand/wrist that was caused by vertebrae in my neck that had been out for many years (caused by a accident).

And the PA attacked the affected nerves in my arm. But I aggravated it by using a weedwhacker for too long one day last spring.

I vibrated my arms so much...while holding a heavy weedwhacker, that a wrist bone got pulled 'out of joint'. I babied my hand and wrist for a couple of weeks, while the wrist got worse, and my circulation did too. Eventually the wrist was swollen and I used it less and less and I was actually seeing a bit of atrophy in my lower arm.

I went to my naturopath...and he wanted to treat to reduce arthritic swelling. But luckily I went to see a chiropractor who Xrayed my neck... and worked me over...and kept manipulating my hand and wrist until the circulation came back. I went to him for several months, but he was able to relieve the pain early on.

:)

NPFLaura

12-27-2006, 04:12 PM

Hi I'm hoping that you're feeling better by now. Like many on the board, I've had herniated disks which has caused nerve pain. I've have a pinched nerve in my neck that bothers me from time to time and causes occassional numbness down my arm. For me, this is not severe. However, I've had severe pain going down my leg a few times again - that level 10 that you spoke about. These last two times, I needed emergency surgery due to my getting "drop foot" which if left untreated could cause permanent damage. The odd thing was during the last time, the extreme pain had actually subsided and I almost cancelled my appointment with the neurosurgeon. However, the MRI had showed that parts of my disk had broken off and were floating by my spine - not a good thing. With all my disk problems I'm told is seperate from my very arthritic spine.

Years ago I was taken off enbrel for what they suspected might be drug-induced MS symptoms, the rare side effect you mentioned. My symptoms were not nerve pain but rather changes in speech, balance, etc.

My advise is like the others, follow up with your doctors to understand exactly what is going on and get treatment and hopefully relief.

Feel better. Laura

MaryJean713

12-27-2006, 10:04 PM

2 MRIs and 3 doctor visits later...

Thankfully my brain MRI is normal, however, my sister seems to think that the doctor had to have missed something, cause I've never been normal. :)

The MRI on my shoulder didn't show anything, but my GP thinks that the PA caused small bone spurs that are pinching the nerves in my neck and shoulder. I have an appt with a neuro soon to check with the electrodes.

The pain is still pretty intense, and I have lost almost full use of my left arm. Outside of a little typing, petting my cat, and smoking- my left hand is useless. I am also having some weakness in my left leg and esp. the knee. It's making it hard to walk.

Will update again soon- can't do much more typing. Thanks guys..
MJ

GitOverIt

12-28-2006, 03:37 AM

Well I told my DH you were going to have an MRI and he said "it won't show up!" I guess he was told xrays and MRI cannot detect pinched nerves, by his doctor....? I don't know maybe not! I do hope you get relief soon though

Good luck!!!

baldwin123

01-01-2007, 12:18 PM

Just wondering how you are doing...
Jen

evergreen

01-02-2007, 01:22 PM

Hey Mary, I had a pinched sciatic nerve shortly after being diagnosed with PA about a year ago. Very intense pain, I ended up eventually going to a chiropractor and on my 3rd visit, he twisted me the 'right' way and I was on the way to recovery...so I'm recommending a visit to a chiropractor as soon as possible.

MaryJean713

01-02-2007, 10:34 PM

Hello everyone,

On the upside:

Thankfully the pain has subsided. It was pretty bad for awhile- I couldn't get on here to do another update. I still haven't seen the neuro, but I am seeing my derm tomorrow. As far as the numbness/tingling/loss of function- it has gotten better. My left arm is still frightfully weak, and if I use it to do almost anything- the pain returns. I have been babying it like crazy. I don't know if that is good or not though. Should I be rotating it or anything? I have tried, but it really hurts.

On the downside:

My right arm is starting to show the same symptoms as my left arm started with. I am getting some pain and tingling going on- I hope it won't get as bad as the left one did.

Overall:
I thought I was fatigued and weak with the regular PA! I am sleeping over 10 hours a night, waking up with pain, and am unable really to do much of anything. Everything I try to do (cook, sew, walk to the maibox) wears me out. Could this be the PA worsening? Or is this the result of the pinched nerve?

As I said, i am seeing my derm tomorrow and my GP again next week, will update again soon.

Thanks you guys for all your concern and help,

MJ

Dulane

01-03-2007, 12:00 PM

I'm just gonna mention this...but I have bad symptoms around the holidays...because of all the xtra junk food that is available...and what with my inability to bypass homemade sweets...etc.

I had 2-3 days of aches and all after Xmas. But I did so much better at New Years...because the pain memories were still so recent. The sickest I have ever been with P and PA was after Xmas 2 years ago. I almost dread the holidays. (Maybe that's a good excuse to vacation on a warm deserted island?)

When they did your MRI...did they say anything about your spine alignment? (I think MRI's only see connnective tissue?) The chiropractor I went to really helped me. When I saw the xray of my neck...I thought he slipped someone else's xray in there...but I recognized my earrings. I did have a head/neck injury about 15 years ago...and that is what my chiro worked on...straightening out my neck vertebrae.

He also regularly adjusted my wrist and PA fingers. My whole hand had changed colors and had a green tinge from poor circulation. That was the same place where my PA started...but I know it attacked an area that was already compromised. I am so very happy that I found my chiro, because I had alot of pain this summer. (I spent the last couple of days with DH, getting firewood and I chopped alot of it...I could never have done that a few months ago.)

:)

tpd70

01-04-2007, 05:10 AM

Went back to the nuerologist yesterday. He reported to me that I have a pinched C-6 nerve in my neck and possibly again in my arm. Said that I have a bone spur and arthritis in my neck. Very thankful for those results. I was praying that it wasn't caused from the Humira or some kind of brain cancer! Next step is seeking some chiropractic care and doing stretches and exercises. Easy enough!

ouchyk

01-04-2007, 08:05 AM

Glad that your okay.

When I asked my rheumy if I could or should go to a chiro he sent me to a spine specialist and to PT who deals with the spine clinic.

I find PT very helpful. I go until my insurance kicks me out! :eek:

What I found most helpful ( this is for my sacro ) is injections of cortisone under flourescopy, works like a charm...unfortunately, I cannot have them all the time. Prednisone helps too although it's an " evil " drug for psoriatics. heck its an evil drug period but ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh so helpful in a short run!

Feel better.
Karen

MaryJean713

01-04-2007, 07:23 PM

***Tom, I am so glad that you are doing well! I hope that it continues! Please keep me updated on your progress.***

Ok yall, saw the derm today. He seems unconcerned with the arm pain, I asked him about drug induced MS, and he seems to think that I shouldn't worry about it, and he recommends taking an asprin. I almost died when he said asprin! UMMM- I was taking 3 Tylenol Arthritis Pain geltabs and Prednisone- and that didn't even touch it!

Anyway- he's really an OK doctor, he is just really old fashioned. He also told me that PA can also attack our nervous systems, and that may have caused the pinched nerve symptoms. That might be why I am experiencing the same pain in my right arm, and left leg. Or I could just have some really small bone spurs that didn't show up on the MRI. Either way-- that is much better than a neurological problem ( right Tom?:) )

UPDATE on how I feel:

Like (*&%&$ !!
The pain/numbness/weakness has moved down to my left leg (and somewhat my right arm) I tried to go shopping with my sister yesterday, and I ended up having to leave after an hour. My leg just wouldn't cooperate. It started going numb and hurting really badly- and I felt like I was dragging it behind me.
It was really frustrating, especially because I felt like the one who had "ruined the party" I ended up having to go home and sleep it off. I am so sick of feeling bad, and being limited on what I can do and where I can go. I could just scream!! ARGG!

Anyway- thanks again everyone for all your support.

MJ

baldwin123

01-04-2007, 10:23 PM

I hope seeing a chiropractor or PT helps get rid of that pain that you are in! Try not to feel too bad about "ruining the party"- I am sure your family and friends understand what you are going through...hopefully the pain and numbness etc will just be bad memories soon... !
Jen

MaryJean713

01-26-2007, 10:47 PM

It has been a while since I updated this thread, sorry about that. This has been a long, harrowing ordeal. I started experiencing the same pain/weakness/tingling in my right arm, as well as my left (where it all started)- and am still unable to get any relief. I have subsequently had 5 MRIs, and EEG, and will have an EMG, a bone scan and a sleep study done next week. All the tests so far have come back "unremarkable," which I am very happy about, but it is very frustrating. It would be nice to have something that I can treat instead of just getting more questions.

I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia by my rhemy a few weeks ago (as those of you might remember from my last post). However, the fibro wouldn't be causing nerve or neuro problems, from what my docs tell me.

Last week I experienced a migraine-like headache on the left side of my head, that was accompanied with numbness on the left side of my face and neck. The numbness has gotten better- but is still localized around my left eye and cheek bone. Called my neuro, and I got an appointment- for 2 weeks from now. Like an appointment in two weeks is gonna help me now!

None of my docs recommended getting of the embrel that have just started (the past 12 weeks). I called my GP, my neuro, my rheumy, AND my derm- and just TOLD them I was going to quit taking it, until we get this all figured out. At this point I am really concerned about the MS side effect associated with the enbrel. I have been off the enbrel for about 2 weeks, and I have begun to flare. It is like my P has reared its ugly head- saying

"you couldn't get rid of my that easily! HAHA!"

I am back on my supplements hardcore, hoping that they will help prevent the flaring, and hopefully it won't be so bad.

I have been trying so hard just to go on with my life and not get depressed. After dealing with all this for over 2 months, and still not being any closer to a definitive treatment, it is getting really hard not to. I feel like I am at my wits end. I keep getting tests, going to appointments, and they keep looking at me and telling that they don't really know anything.

On top of it, like I said my P is flaring horribly. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I could get an at home light box, and how to get Blue Cross to pay for it? Any suggestions on similar experiences will be MUCH appreciated too.

Thanks yall, this board and your support has meant alot to me.

MJ

oakrai42

01-26-2007, 11:03 PM

I apologize in advance if this is mentioned above (I'm tired and only got through 1/2 of it :) ).... have you seen an OT or PT for the nerve pain? Nerve glides could help. They're basically like an exercise/stretch where you move the nerve through the narrow openings and stretch them out, thereby helping them to heal if there's any damage and also help to keep them moving smoothly to prevent pinching.

I nearly tore my left hand off in august in an ATV (ie. quad) accident and severly damaged the ulnar nerve near the wrist. Part of my OT exercises are the glides and they definitely help.

From what I understand though, if you do something and it causes nerve symptoms (ie. sudden, severe pain; severe tingling) STOP doing the exercises!

These are similar to what I do, but not exactly the same:

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30&action=details&sku=LD6627

http://www.handhealthresources.com/Solutions%20Pages/Exercises.htm

edit: that facial numbness sounds like bell's palsy... just a thought.

-Steve

docmks

01-27-2007, 10:49 AM

Hi there,

I've got severe migraines, and I've had wierd aura like symptoms prior to migraines. Most of my aura type things are visual-- i once saw letters dance off --actually it was more like swirling -- the page.

I also had bell's palsy. Is your problem sensory and motor in terms of your face? Can you smile? Are you having any trouble with your food sliding off your back teeth (it will get caught between your cheek and gum), is your blink reflex normal? Can you close your eyes tightly? My Bell's palsy started in the corner of my eye--though I didn't realize it at the time. I realized it when the paralysis spread further (this involves the Facial nerve).

You will appreciate this since you are from Louisiana. the day my Bell's Palsy hit I was in a fine Lafayette restaurant eating crawfish bisque. Bell's palsy makes it hard to sip or to chew. And I was taking an esteemed guest out to lunch. He probably thought I was drunk or somethin'. Anyway, that was years ago.

The key if it is Bell's palsy is to get on prednisone quickly. So, you don't need to wait 2 weeks if you are having any of the kinds of facial paralysis I described above. Try a doc in the box if you have to. They can get you into your neuro faster.

It is our individual decision when to stop and when to take our medications. I worry about susceptibility to infections with Enbrel and Humira, so I didn't take Humira immediately after my sinus surgery. My joints are in bad shape, despite the fact that I am on 10mg of prednisone. But the pred has helped my skin.

Good luck and keep us posted!
MK

MaryJean713

01-27-2007, 06:24 PM

Thanks for the replies yall,

As far as the migraines, I also have had ocular migraines, those headaches actually make me lose my sight in one or both of my eyes. This usually clears up after the migraine though. THis headache was like a migraine, but was not one. It only lasted for about 2 hours, and I didn't get nauseated. The numbness started about 20-30 minutes before the headache started.

I have checked into the bell's palsy, but my face is not paralyzed. I can still smile, blink, and eat properly- it just feels as though my face has been shot up with lidocane.

dockmks:
I am so sorry to hear that you weren't able to properly enjoy your shrimp bisque! Hopfully, your next southern meal will go better.

I will be calling my doc tomorrow to see if he thinks I need to be on prednisone.

oakrai42:
Thanks for the links, I am a bit scared of stretching my arms out too much, but I will try them, I am just gonna start slow to see if they help.

MJ

JesseLou

01-27-2007, 11:36 PM

Hi MJ - Have any of your docs taken pictures of your cervical and lumbar spine? Pinched nerves in the cervical spine caused by arthritis damage and/or ruptured discs will cause pain and numbness in the arms. Similarly, that kind of damage in the lumbar spine can cause pain and numbness in the legs.

MRIs will show the damage that is the root cause of the symptoms.

MaryJean713

02-14-2007, 12:57 AM

Another update--I have had so many MRIs that I won't be surprised if I start glowing. Thankfully, all have come back "unremarkable." I did have some *insert big long medical term here* on my brain (he compared them to benign cysts), but my doc seems to be unimpressed. He said that they are quite normal and told me not to freak out about them.

The headaches are occuring more often and are becoming more and more intense. Likewise, the numbness has spread, and it encompasses most of the left side of my face now. I can't begin to explain how wacky it feels (or doesn't feel for that matter.)

My P is in full effect right now, from stopping the enbrel. I do have some tricort, and I kind of laughed at myself having to apply that s*** in gallons again. Yuck.

Fatigue and general ickiness are also in full effect- I can't really tag those symptoms to anything else but my fibro. I am pretty stressed out about this, and I think it is making me feel worse.

I have now begun to think that all this may be the result of nerve damage from the enbrel. The "serious pain in my left arm" is what began all this, and it started about 3 weeks after I started enbrel. It may not be related at all, but I am now beginning to think about the connection, especially because I have no other diagnosis.

As I was reviewing this thread, before I posted, I realized that I have been dealing with this awful pain since before Christmas-- and my docs haven't given me any treatment other than a week of prednisone and tricort!

This whole deal has really made me mad. All my docs keep looking at me and telling me to see someone else, my neuro is a you-know-what, but because of where I live (small, rural area), I have no other choice.

He won't even call me back with test results!! I have to call the office, and get ugly with his nurses before anyone will even tell me anything about MY OWN test results!

I am going to be really honest here, I have had it with all this. I keep asking myself when I am going to feel better, and more often I keep thinking that I never will. This is really starting to wear me down, at first I had my resolve built up-- "This will not bring me down! I will not be infermed!" I kept telling myself these things over and over again, well its starting to wear off. Along with the fibro, the agressive P, the creeping PA, and these horrible headaches and numbness- I think I might lose it!

MaryJean713

02-14-2007, 10:07 AM

ADDENDUM:
Other new symptoms that I forgot to put,

Swelling above my left eyebrow to my temple and into my neck- seems like maybe a vein?
I have difficulty keeping my left eyebrow open.

Eyre

02-15-2007, 09:13 PM

I just joined a few weeks ago and have been scouting out old threads for helpfull info; I see your smiling beautifull face and read your words and I have hope again! I wish I could be as inspiring to you but I don't have any majic insites or potions to give you. You are doing all the right things by advocating for yourself as best you can with resourses avaiiable. After taking Enbrel for 6 weeks I began having migraines and was told by my rheumy that it wasn't the Enbrel. I trusted my instincts and stopped taking it. The headaches stopped. The rhuemy was annoyed put me on MTX and still said it wasn't Enbrel, she sent me to Nueroligist, as there just had to be another reason for my migrains. He said
I didn't appear to have any nuerological problems but should have an MRI just to
be sure. Well I don't have the $200.00 co-pay so that will have to wait. In the mean time Ruemy gets new patient puts her in Enbrel and the same pattern of migrains occurs with her. Suddenly my symptoms are valid. What a crock! From my experience I would pursue the Enbrel connection. You hang in there girl.

MaryJean713

02-18-2007, 12:44 AM

You are so kind, your reply made my eyes well up. Your encouragement means alot to me.

I am sorry to hear that you had reactions too, migraines are a b***h!

I am seeing my Neuro again monday, and I have decided to get a copy of my file. I live close to Houston, TX, and they have a great diagnostic center there. I am not wasting anymore time with the docs here.

Thank you again, I will update here when I get more info.

MJ

TheOne1313

02-21-2007, 11:41 AM

Two weeks ago I had the flu and I probably shouldnt have but I took my humira shot. I woke up the following morning to turn the alarm clock off and my leg gave out on me. Thoughtout the day I could barely walk without falling so I went to the ER the next day. The doctors performed numerous tests on me......MRI's Catscans EMG u name it and could not find a cause. At first laying down I was totally unable to lift my leg up. After a few days I slowly got strength back in that leg however they are still uncertain what caused this.

I been on Humira for a year now......so far no side effects. My presciption ended last week and now my dermtologist is concerned to give me it again until they find out more info from the neurologist.

Anyways....I hope you feel alot better.

JKNY

02-21-2007, 01:24 PM

Sometimes you really need the top specialists and they seem to be in the big cities. Houston's a go. Even here in the NY area, the top docs in Manhattan are worlds better than the local guys in the nearby suburbs, especially when there are unusual complications. Good Luck.

MaryJean713

05-11-2007, 10:41 PM

Hey yall,

Thought I would give a quick update on the medical anomaly that has become me for the last 7-8 months. I saw my rheumy for the first time today since all the weirdness with my nerves/muscle weakness/increased pain since starting and stopping enbrel.

According to my rheumy, all of this is NOT a result of my enbrel use. But she couldn't give me ANOTHER cause of it-- and didn't explain to me in normal layman's terms WHY the enbrel COULDN'T have caused my problems.

Conversation with me and the doc went like this:

ME:
"Nov-Jan. was pretty much hell for me." [I explained only about 1/4 of what went on in Nov-Jan. because I was rushed to finished my appointment] "I think it was the enbrel, cause the other docs can't give me another explanation, and nothing is showing up on the bazillion tests that I did."

Doc:
"It can't be the enbrel, because those side effects are really rare. Also, if it was the enbrel it would have done.... [here she launches into a long medical explanation of why it couldn't have been the enbrel. I have absolutely NO IDEA what she's talking about-- and still don't] "I think you need to try Humira."

Me:
"I'm not going back on biologics."

Doc:
"Your skin isn't looking too good."

Me:
"Yeah, I know, but at some point you have to learn to accept psoriasis, and stop hating it, or you end up hating yourself your entire life, and I've learned to accept that it will be there forever. Also-- your not my dermatologist, and I'm not going back on biologics."

When I told her my joints were hurting me worse than ever, she kept telling me that they weren't swollen-- like I was making it up. She sufficiently made me feel like a freak, a liar, and a difficult patient. None of which I feel like I am.

[At this point she starts showing me pictures of severely damaged PA joints, like I don't know what PA will do. But she never offers me ANY OTHER med options. Not MTX-- nothing else. Only enbrel, remicade and Humira.]

She gave me a Rx for anti inflams, and more muscle relaxers because my spinal pain/PA has caused large hard nodules to develop on the muscles in my back that hurt like hell and they are causing muscle spasms.

But that's beside the point, I have decided to get back in the saddle and pursue this and get it figured out. I'm not screwing with these docs around here anymore. As of Monday, I am calling my GP and getting a referral to the Diagnostic Center in Houston and getting a second opinion-- something I should have done to begin with. I am going to run some tests here, to get prepared and head over there, and get some real medical treatment. Hopefully no one will look at me like I'm a freak or a Munchhausen patient over there.

Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive of me during all of this. All of this started when I first joined the NPF, and yall were right there with me from the beginning. So- I want to thank you for that too. But anyway- I will keep this updated after my next appt.

AnnieB

05-12-2007, 07:20 AM

I hope you find someone who will listen! I had trouble getting diagnoses with PA because I didn't have typical swollen joints show up in X-rays. But my rheumy said that you can still have PA without swollen joints. My main symptom is called enthesopathy ("a disease occurring at the site of attachment of muscle tendons and ligaments to bones or joint capsules.") Now I like to throw around terms like that! Second opinions are a good thing. Hope you figure it out soon.

GitOverIt

05-12-2007, 08:45 AM

Hi Maryjean....when I think of muscle pain or cramps I think magnesium!
are you taking adequate amounts of that great mineral????? anyone taking pain pils or birth control pills I have read need extra magnesium.....

I read this book by Dr Carolyn Dean M.D.
The Magnesium Miracle and started taking it immediately...it is good for so many things...(you also need calcium too )

http://www.amazon.com/Magnesium-Miracle-Carolyn-Md-Dean/dp/034549458X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1452648-4528135?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1178984401&sr=1-1

here is an article talking about some benefits....especially for fibro and pain!
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:7XLIeB9c5BMJ:www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20020923/favaro_magnesium020923/CTVNewsAt11/story/+magnesium+for+muscle+pain&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=18&gl=us&ie=UTF-8

Overlooked magnesium may be key to pain relief

Updated Mon. Sep. 23 2002 10:25 PM ET

Avis Favaro, CTV Medical reporter

Some Canadian doctors are calling for human studies of an overlooked yet simple potential treatment for conditions such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, heart disease and high blood pressure.

The treatment consists of supplements of the essential mineral magnesium, a common but overlooked nutrient that may combat some forms of chronic pain, muscle cramps, and even to ward off heart disease and diabetes.

Magnesium is readily available in hard water, dark green vegetables, nuts, and beans. But we use it up in great quantities when we're under stress, and when we eat a poor diet.

The recommended daily allowance of magnesium is 600 milligrams a day, but there is evidence that between 50 and 90 per cent of people in North America don't get enough of it. And that could be leading to deficiencies.

"Part of the reason we're seeing problems with magnesium is the result of a high-starch diet. That uses up more magnesium," says Aileen Burford-Mason, a nutritionist who has taken a keen interest in magnesium. "And when we're under stress our needs for magnesium skyrocket. When you put those together I don't think it's surprising we are magnesium deficient."

Pain and magnesium deficiency

Dr. Linda Rapson, who specializes in treating chronic pain, believes that about 70 per cent of her patients who complain of muscle pain, cramps and fatigue are showing signs of magnesium deficiency. So she has been adding it to the diets of most of her patients over the last two years, and noting significant results.

"Virtually all of them improve when I put them on magnesium," says Rapson, who runs a busy Toronto pain clinic. "It may sound too good to be true, but it's a fact." She's seen the mineral work in those with fibromyalgia, migraines and constipation. "The scientific community should take a good hard look at this."

Lynne Suo is one of her patients. She had been using painkillers and steroids for years to try to ease the pain of her arthritis and fibromyalgia. Dr. Rapson started her on 675 units of magnesium a day. Within days, Suo called Dr. Rapson to report a surprising change.

"I went from being in constant pain almost throughout the day and night to having moments of pain. And for me that was a huge improvement," says Suo, a former college English teacher. She dismisses suggestions that the change is a placebo effect.

"I was not one day without pain and now I don't have to take heavy pain medication," she reports.

Magnesium linked to heart health

Magnesium deficiency is also linked to heart disease and high blood pressure. Many believe that magnesium improves these condition because it helps muscle cells relax. Since the heart is also a muscle, magnesium reduces irregular heart beats and palpitations.

But there have been few clinical studies of it's role in preventing heart disease. In a review article in the Journal of Hypertension, Dr. Rhian Toyuz, an associate professor at the University of Montreal, writes: "Data from recent studies shows that magnesium-rich diets may reduce blood pressure, especially among older adults. The time is ripe for the progression of this experimental research to extend into the clinics, where the exact role of magnesium in cardiovascular disease can be studied in patients."

"It's not taught in medical schools," says Dr. Mildred Seelig, a professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina. She has been studying magnesium for years and is writing a book, due out next year, urging doctors and patients not to overlook this essential mineral. "It's not being promoted because pharmaceutical companies don't make money selling magnesium," says Dr. Seelig. "So there is no big push to get magnesium understood and taken by the average (North) American."

Dr. Saul Pilar, a general practitioner in Vancouver, says he too has seen magnesium lessen pain and spasms, reduce fatigue and improve sleep. "My aim is that 100 per cent of my patients get enough magnesium either from food or supplements," he says.

But Pilar points out that he has to rely on clinical symptoms of magnesium deficiency, because there is no reliable test. Blood tests only pick up the one per cent of magnesium in the blood, because most of it is stored in the tissues, where it is used.

Magnesium also has to be prescribed with calcium because they work together to regulate how muscle cells contract and relax. People taking calcium supplements without magnesium may leading to even larger magnesium deficiencies.

"I am optimistic that in the future more attention will be paid to this essential mineral," says Dr. Pilar.

Dietary sources of magnesium Source: Aileen Burford-Mason, nutritionist:

1 cup pumpkin seeds 700 mg
1 cup mixed nuts 300 mg
1 cup natural granola 100 mg
1 cup cooked oatmeal 56 mg
1 cup spinach 44 mg
1 cup broccoli 22 mg
1 slice whole wheat bread 18 mg
3 oz halibut 70 mg
1 can tuna 50 mg
3 oz shrimp 31 mg

going to your doctor tho is a good idea.....

p.s. I forgot to mention...bathing in epsom salts helps as it is absorbed into the body!

Dulane

05-12-2007, 09:35 AM

I had a friend (15 yrs ago) who had those hard lumps near her spine, and she had fibro. We worked in a new school building, and she couldn't handle all the new school smells. Luckily she was a home-visitor for the school district, and she only came around when she had to.

She had to have someone else use the copy machine for her. Stuff like that. We called it an environmental disease back then. Some docs gave her a hard time too.

Didn't another doctor tell you you weren't a good candidate for more biologics?

:confused:

Annie...another way to say that is enthesitis. "Traumatic disease occurring at the point of attachment of skeletal muscles to bone, where recurring stress causes inflammation and often fibrosis and calcification."

eranthis

05-12-2007, 11:39 AM

Remember that book "everything you need to know you learned in kindergarten" or something like that... How about this for a new one: '"every medical insight I have I learned from a dog"

I'll explain. My friend's dog (a greyhound) had shoulder pain and was limping and yelping in her sleep. So she went to the vet, who found the dog had a pinched nerve (not unlike you, MJ, but that is just a red herring...) and put her on prednisone. Everything with the shoulder cleared up in a few days, but the dog got really sick. Offhand, I can't remember what the symptoms were, but the dog was not doing well. My friend took her back to the vet, who took blood & determined that the dog had lymphoma or leukemia (again, I don't remember which). Her blood count was not right and she all the physical symptoms of cancer.

My friend called me sobbing. I thought that it was odd that the leukemia symptoms came on just as this shoulder pain was being treated with prednisone (which, as we all know, reduces the immune response). First of all, greyhounds have strange blood counts compared to other dogs - something about their red cells being more efficient and their white count looking unbalanced because of the extra red cell activity... so I emailed her some info to show her vet. Her dog had raced in the south, in states with a vast array of tick-borne diseases that most vets in upstate New York rarely see - and some of the TBDs can be latent for years in healthy dogs. I told her to have the vet do a full tick panel that would test for rocky mtn. spotted fever, babesia, erlichia, etc.. The prednisone unmasked a case of erlichiosis that she had probably picked up years before, because it caused a decreased immune response. Antibiotics and acupuncture (for the shoulder pain) fixed the dog right up.

To get to my point - maybe the Enbrel unmasked something else because of its immune suppressing functions - I can't imagine what it would be, but maybe you should go to the vet for a tick panel (...kidding, of course...).

Or maybe you are the one who has these weird Enbrel side effects first... I had a friend I high school who took this new wonder drug for acne (she had bad cystic acne all over her face and back) - accutane (same thing as soriatane, more or less). She got almost every terrible side effect that has since been well-recognized, but she was literally one of the first people to have them (she was written up all over the place). I remember she missed more than 3 months of school her junior year between being sick and then being paraded around by doctors in NYC and Boston. Fortunately, by the time she had kids, her body had recovered and the kids are fine...

I hope you can get some kind of answer - and the sooner the better, so you can pursue a treatment that will help you more than hurt you.

Take care,

Chris

soulbecket

05-12-2007, 05:15 PM

*disclaimer* - this turned into a novel - sorry.
and lots of spelling errors :o

MaryJean, I'm sorry you're having a rough time Cher.

I was wondering if you've ever heard of Dr. Kashi Rai? Her office is in Harahan - not sure what part of LA you're in.

Technically she's listed as a family practitioner and thyroid specialist, but she treats all kinds of complicated problems.
She practices both traditional & "non" - she's always open to ideas and trying new things.

She takes only one new patient a week, because the first appointment she spends the afternoon with you, reviewing Everything. She's also a really nice person, which helps when you're suffering. She has a reputation for miracle working. I think it's because she really focuses on the big picture. She has a special interest in auto immune issues & women's "issues".

Downside - there's always been about an 8 month waiting list. After the initial appt you don't have to wait again, just 1st one. Upside - there are a lot of last minute cancelations, so if you call once a week (her staff are nice too) there's a good chance something will open up sooner than 8 months.

Seems like you have so many complications might be worth the trip. There's a hotel w/in a block of her office (sorry can't remember the name).

She happens to be my doctor. We lost touch for a while but have been doing phone consults. If I could stop itching/scratching long enuf to get on a plane I'd be there ina heartbeat. (yes, it's that profound).

Considering she hasn't seen me since 8/05 (scalp P was in 'developing' stage then) she's had some interesting insights. She sent me a REQ form for 27 tests. The person at Quest had to fill like 12 different tubes, lol. Her offce called me back when the labs came in, faxed copies to me, and Dr. Rai got right on the phone (for about an hour).

She told me for one thing I had a Vit D defeiciancy (measurable). She also said I have a really high ASO titer. I thought that meant past exposure is all. She said no - it's so high it can only be current infection. She said she might even recommend having tonsils out. She sent me an RX for a $400 pennisillin (sp?) shot. (I haven't tried it yet). she said all those things were related to skin issues.
(I see her for an auto immune issue, we'd never talked about skin till then).

I know vit D & strep are discussed here, but she's the only doctor who told me about it. over the phone no less...

I know she volunteers time on a couple of Indian Reservations, bcs as she says, "there's so much need". I know she continues this excellent practice despite getting 8 feet of water in her house and living in a FEMA trailer while renovating. She told me "hey, if the worst thing that ever happens in life is you get 8 ft of water in your house, consider yourself unscathed". Ha....
(the point being it's not all about the money)

Wow what a long RAVE, huh? Chronic illness sucks. P and PA suck. Imagine going from "Dr. Rai" directly into the sewer I've been ranting about? It was really shocking. And it's *definitely* the dermatologists. I've had a chronic illness for 12 yrs, have had mostly good experiences with different specialists in 3 states. I haven't had one positive experience with a derm (yet) and I don't think it's me, cause I'm a low maintainence patient. I try and make the doctor's visit easy for everyone. I figure I have a better shot of getting what I want if my side of the interaction is pleasent. So far that strategy has worked well with doctors (and in life generally). Then along comes P and it's up against the wall, MF.

*anyways*....I didn't mean to write a book here. Lol. I'm not assuming you're unhappy with your doctors, either.
It just seems like you're suffering with *multiple* conditions, and I know for sure Dr. Rai likes challenges (takes on the sickest patients).

Maybe she could peice the puzzel together for you? She spent 3 hours with me, figured out things no one thought of before.
She also offered a lot of insight (she's extremely intuitive).

Well MJ, you probably already know about this doctor, but thought I'd give you the info, in case you need someone really good. And as a source for others in the area.

hope the future is pain free :)

~sb~

Aggiemom1961

05-12-2007, 09:41 PM

Dear Mj Just thought I'd let U know. I was just diagnosed with PA a few wks ago. My 1st. appt. isn't until the 29th so I'm not on any PA meds yet. I'm on Taclonex skin cream for P and I live on Vicodin for pain but what i"m getting at is I have started having severe pain in my arms .It started a couple of days ago right above the inside of my left elbow, [where your muscle is if u have one, which I don't]. It started as a cramp like pain then became worse. It then traveled up and down the inside of my arm and ended where my thumb hits my wrist.I thought it was from carrying a to heavy purse on the crease of my arm. Then today it started on my right arm all the way down to my thumb, my right thumb is just throbbing and the Vicodin isn't even fazing it. What I'm getting at is mine can't be a reaction to meds ,I haven't started them yet. I also have had severe migrains with numbness in face after tuns of test the Drs. decided the migrains were causing cluster headaches which caused swelling which caused the nerve endings in my head and face to be pinched and become inflamed. They put me on Amatriptolin [sp?] because he said in some study it showed that it helped desencetize{sp?} the nerve endings so they can heal without too much pain. This drug was 1st. used as a antidepression med. but some study showed it worked for this purpose too. I was worried about taking it and not being depressed but he assured me it would not cause depression if I wasn't to start with. I didn't have any side affects except I'm not a sweet eater and I craved sweets. He said he had one other person do the same thing but besides that no problem. I stayed on it for 3mnths. at first thought wasn't working then woke up one day and relized didn't have pain or numbness. It may not work for you but I thought i'd let u know. Almost every time I get a migrain with or without auras, I end up with numbness.The dr. said for some reason my headache cause swelling which always pinch the nerves. Usually they go away in a couple of days except the time I told you about and even with the meds. it was about a mnth. or a little more.Good luck Hope you feel better. If U figure out the arm pain let me know. If the Dr. I see in 2wks. figures mine out I'll let U know.Take Care, Gina

MaryJean713

05-15-2007, 03:06 PM

Another update:

I got the blood work back from my last rheumy appointment and my SED rate, CRP, and thyroid all came back normal. Which I knew that they would. All of my blood work comes back normal. Which in one way is good, but in another is quite frustrating because I still don't know what's going on.

The rheum told me on the phone that she's pretty much can't help me anymore. She referred me to pain management, and suggested that I get a new rheumy, and a new neuro. Which is good, I guess-- but I really just want to find out what's going on, not just dull the pain.

So I called the Diagnostic center in Houston today. I am convinced that there is a God because I got an appointment with the "super rheumy" there for this Friday! There was a cancellation, otherwise it would have taken 3-4 months. So I am very happy about that.

Will update again after Friday, you guys are great-- as always.

====================

AnnieB, I am SOOOO glad that you posted that. I am convinced that the "e....." is exactly what is going on with me. I did some research on it before you mentioned it, and after. I am really surprised that this rheumy didn't even mention it. Do you have ANY joint involvment at all, or is it just muscle and tendon? Thanks for your response, made me feel less like a freak.

Gina, thanks for the response. I can't really do anti depressants, but I have read that they do wonders for pain control, even for people who are not depressed. Don't worry about taking them if your doctor is recommending them. I hope you get some relief. I will update the board if I get this figured out!

soulbecket, awesome doctor tip. Thanks alot. If Dr. Williams doesn't work out, that is were I will be headed, for sure. I am a big advocate of alternative therapy, so that sounds right up my alley. But I am really concerned about the possibility of the enbrel damage... I think I need to talk to a rheumy about that. But honestly, with my nerve/muscle/joint stuff all combined, sometimes I don't know what kind of doc I really should be seeing. Maybe I should be going there. I will surely keep that doc in mind. Thanks alot.

Chris, As always- great ideas, with bits of humor. I appreciate your suggestion of a previous condition that could have been "awakened" by the enbrel. It hadn't occured to me before. I will be sure to contact my vet ASAP... :)

Dulane, You are always so concerned for me, thank you. You are close about the enbrel. I had said in a previous post that I was med sensitive and didn't respond well to medications. I've never had a doc tell me not to do enbrel- but really I should have thought about it harder. Actually, all my doctors were pushing biologics on me and telling me what "wonder" drugs they are. Not ONE of my doctors EVER told me about side effects. Which makes me a bit mad now... While biologics are wonder drugs for many people, I wouln't take them again on a bet.

Also, about the muscles- yes I was dx with fibro too, I take Parafon Forte to help with the muscle problems. But it makes me loopy, and I only take it at night.

Hey Sally, thanks for the supplement tips. I have added magnesium to my list. I actually found a great recipe for homemade granola bars that have alot of the ingredients that you listed in your post. I'm having another bout of muscle weakness, and I can't lift pots and pans too well, so my sister made them for me the other day. They are great snacks. When I eat them I am remembering my magnesium and your great advice! :) Thank you!

ouchyk

05-15-2007, 06:54 PM

MJ,

Good luck at the super rheumy.

Karen

AnnieB

05-15-2007, 07:44 PM

I didn't have much joint involvement until some of my finger joints swelled up and got red and hot--especially my right thumb. But most of the inflammation I had for a number of years was tendonitis, capsulitis, etc. The first doctor who suspected something was going on was a surgeon who did an operation for trigger finger last year (also a tendon problem). He saw that there was "an unusual amount of inflammation" and tested me for rheumatoid arthritis which came out negative. I never thought to mention psoriasis and he couldn't see it with my clothes on. About 6 months later a lightbulb went on and that's when I asked my PCP if I might have PA and he sent me to a rheumy and I finally knew what was what! Whew!

zanderch

05-18-2007, 12:14 AM

I became concerned for you, as I kept reading what looks like a horror for you and the fact that nothing can be found ,must be very difficult for you to cope with, as every symptom increased I wondered how your story ended but obviously you are still waiting to find out what the cause is, and when you get that you will feel much better.I had pains in certain areas for years that I now know to have been PA. Some were really strange but obviously nothing like yours.

I have a daughter who has had with some of her migraines, left or right sided weakness , but I do not think you qualify for that.My information on migraines came from alot of research as she had a migraine that lasted almost 12 months, and I only know that some migraines can cause weird symptoms.I just hope for you that they find out something soon for you.I am a nurse and find it amazing that so many people diagnosed you with different things.
You have done everything you can and it appears that the doctors seem to have done the best they can as well.Have you had blood tests at all?
Keep your chin up and hopefully the sun will shine for you soon.Labels and names are important when you are il and no one can see your pain or find a cause.

zanderch

05-18-2007, 12:32 AM

I became concerned for you, as I kept reading what looks like a horror for you and the fact that nothing can be found ,must be very difficult for you to cope with, as every symptom increased I wondered how your story ended but obviously you are still waiting to find out what the cause is, and when you get that you will feel much better.I had pains in certain areas for years that I now know to have been PA. Swelling on my right knee goes all the way from thigh to below knee .Lots of swelling with little pain can be a diagnostic for PA.Some pains were really strange but obviously nothing like yours.

I have a daughter who has had with some of her migraines, left or right sided weakness , but I do not think you qualify for that..I just hope for you that they find out something soon for you.
I am a nurse and found it both scary & amusing. How you coped with all of those wonderful helpful ideas is beyond me as it made me tired just thinking about it,then it dawned on me that this is like a big think tank where everyone shouts out possibilities, a bit like the Doctor House that we have over here I'm sure you have it on TV over there.
Pity he wasn't real but the Doctors that are good with things like that are what we call here Physicians.They are Diagnosticians for those who have been put in the too hard basket You have done everything you can and it appears that the doctors seem to have done the best they can as well.Keep your chin up and hopefully the sun will shine for you soon.Labels and names are important when you are ill and no one can see your pain or find a cause.

Kimbercat

05-18-2007, 01:50 AM

Hi MJ,

I haven't been on here as much as I used to be recently, so I'm just catching up on how everyone's been doing. It sounds like you're really being put through the wringer and still not getting any answers. :( I hope that your upcoming appt. will help you resolve some if not all of your symptoms so that you can begin to find relief and peace.

I've enjoyed reading many of your posts, and you always sound so upbeat and caring for others. You've been a welcome addition to our community, and I hope some of the information here has been of use to you.

Once you isolate your source of pain (if there is an isolation), the suggestion of a pain clinic may be a good one. Although I don't have pa, I do have some severe back problems with no real solutions to resolve them, which means I'm pretty much left with the option of keeping the pain down. I started going to a pain clinic last fall, and I've been getting some good results. I initially had steroids injected into my spine at the problem areas, but didn't get much relief even after a series of 3 injections. Fortunately, I didn't give up and returned to the clinic to see if they had any other suggestions. Since the doctor that I initially saw was out on extended medical leave (for a back injury, no less....lol), I saw one of his colleagues instead. Her suggestion was to try a procedure called radio frequency lesioning, which basically involves identifying the source of pain, and then deadening the nerve at that point. I was a bit nervous about needles in my spine, but it sounded quite safe with minimal risks, so I agreed to try it.

After the first procedure, I was very disappointed that the relief I got only lasted several hours. But what I hadn't understood was that that procedure was simply diagnostic, and to isolate the area of the pain. Since I did get that very brief relief, it meant I was a good candidate for the actual procedures. I had the left side done first about a month and a half ago, and have had some very good results from it. The procedure on the right side was done just about 10 days ago, and although I'm rather uncomfortable at the present, I think it's most likely my body's attempt to "heal" the disconnected nerve, and it will probably pass in the next few days. Now the fun part is to see how long this lasts. The doctor said it varies greatly, but can be from several months up to several years or longer. I'm crossing my fingers that I might fall into that longer category.

Now that I've bored everyone to death....lol...my main point was if you have the option to try a pain clinic, go for it. I have no idea if either of these procedures can be helpful with pa, but these doctors are experts in this area, and I would think they have a number of tricks up their sleeves to try. I'll be thinking of you, and hope that you get some much deserved relief very soon.

Best wishes :)

MaryJean713

06-12-2007, 08:35 AM

zanderch: Thanks for the encouragement: I need all that I can get! It's so funny that you mention Dr. House. I am completely in love with Hugh Laurie. My sister and I were watching House the other day, and she turned to me and said, "If only we could get you to HIS hospital, then HE could figure you out. But you'd have to have a few seizures first. That wouldn't be fun."

Kim: Thanks again for you great advice. You are always ready and willing to offer a kind word. I actually have an appointment with a pain management doc on Friday of this week. I hope that he's a good one, and will understand that I am interested in things that will allow me to study and write papers. I had read about lidocane patches for painful areas (joints ect.), or lidocane injections. Have you ever used anything like that?

Hello again everyone,

Sorry for the delay. I've had lots of stuff going on. One of my friends died recently, and through the stress of it, I've been back at pain central. I'm hoping maybe I will deserve a break from all this soon.

I hope everyone isn't sick of hearing about all my drama. To tell you the truth, I am really sick of it. I keep thinking that this will all just wrap itself up in the next few doctor appointments. I am slowly coming to the realization that it isn't. I think that is the hardest part of this whole situation.

Well, I went to the super rheumy in Houston. Dr. Francis Williams is his name, and if any of you have cause or need to see a rheum in Houston- he really is a kind caring doctor. He is at "Rheumatology Associates." I hope I don't get into trouble for putting that in. But he really took his time with me, read my records, did a very gently exam, and he ended up spending almost an hour with me!

After reviewing my MRIs from December he found arthritic changes that he believes might be degenerative disc disease, and may be a precursor to PA. But he is unwilling to commit to PA just yet. I have spinal stenosis and spinal narrowing, ect. And he wants me to have my hips X-rayed, which I am doing tomorrow. I didn't have the time to do it in Houston while I was there. He confirmed the dx of fibromyalgia. He also tested me for:

HIV, Syphilis, auto-immune Hepatitis, viral Hepatitis, and Shogrens (sp?) disease.

He tested for the Hep. and Shogrens because of my weirdo liver enzymes (ALT always elevated). All the tests came back negative.

Then he did a physical exam and confirmed that I have moderate muscle weakness on my right side and moderate to severe muscle weakness on my left side. He felt all my joints, examined my P, looked at my throat, my ears... he was EXTREMELY thorough. He did everything but give me a pelvic! Which would have been weird if he did, but I was impressed to say the least. After the exam we talked and we discussed my insomnia, IBS, P, and fibro. He wants me to see a gastrointerologist, and a sleep specialist and is going to fight my insurance company to get it paid for.

He didn't give me any scripts after my first visit, but wanted to do some research on his own first. He called me after a week and prescribed Lyrica. He admitted that he didn't know what was going on with me. He didn't know if it was the enbrel, the fibro, PA, or a combination thereof. But he thinks that the Lyrica might help me, and he referred me to a pain management clinic.

I feel optimistic about the Lyrica after some research of my own. But I am still not feeling very well. I think I had held out the hope that this was all something that could be tagged and labeled, if you know what I mean. By tagging and labeling, I can treat it- and that means I won't be faced with the grim fact that I could be fighting this garbage forever. I think I had held out hope that they would say something like: "Oh here's your Rx for 3 weeks worth of [whatever] and then you won't feel like hell anymore."

But I am slowly coming to the realization that this is not going to be the case. I am having to put my life into a whole new perspective. It sucks.

I guess I'll just grab myself up by my bootstraps and keep on going. Really, there is no other option.

But I'm calling my therapist first. :)

But I want to thank everyone (again) from the very bottom of my heart for being so kind, helpful and supportive. Having yall here to vent to, cry to, and share news with has made this entire situation far easier to bear. You all deserve a giant dose good karma!

MJ