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Flares-do they always start the same?

jjam86
jjam86
I have been diagnosed, but not sure I'm confident that's what's really wrong with me. My question for you all is double sided...1) When you have a flair does it always start the same way every time? and 2) Has anyone experienced anything similar to my experience below?

How a flare starts for me...I'm sleeping in my bed, doing just fine when the alarm goes off. I roll over to reach for it and BAM!! extreme charlie horse in my neck...and I feel like I can't support the weight of my head for long periods of time. The next 3-5 months i'm stuck with super tight neck and shoulder muscles, can barely turn my head or move arms, etc.

This has happened to me 4 times now in two years. Each time, the same exact thing. It always starts with waking up and rolling over.
LeoX3
LeoX3
Just IMHO? My flares have various causes. Stress, hormones, weather changes....

Have you had any X-rays or CTs of your neck? The fac tit recurs and lasts so long, there might be a mechanical issue---a disk or a nerve---and you migh tbe able to get it fixed. Just a thought.

Healing hopes for you,
Leo
jjam86
jjam86
Thank you, LeoX3. I have only had an x-ray of my neck, which came back fine. I just had this last "flare" 5 days ago, which puts me back to thinking, like you, that it is something else.
angee7
angee7
My flares also have various causes. It could be anything: work stress, not enough sleep, emotional difficulties (PTSD), extreme weather change, IBS or other medical issues.

But when I'm in a flare, I feel pain all over my body, and I will definitely get a level 10 Migraine with severe neck pain.

Big, gentle hugs!
fibrosucks
fibrosucks
Mine can be overall body pain, extreme fatigue, etc., just to name a few.
daisy1965
daisy1965
I'm sorry you're experiencing this pain.

My flares usually come on very gradually. A mild one will include leg pain and bicep pain. A more severe one will also include pain in the triceps, back and neck. They all include fatigue that sometimes keeps me from leaving the house, as well as lightheadedness or dizziness.
happyface01
happyface01
A flare for me includes increased brain fog, extreme exhaustion and muscle fatigue, and increased body wide pain. Also have noticed that I am more aware of the tender points. Plus my whole body feels bruised and just scratching the surface of my skin hurts.
happyface01
happyface01
Oh, and I have woken up to muscle spasms in my neck too over the past few years. I was seeing a physiotherapist last time it happened. With her working on it, and by doing a few simple exercises she suggested it went away within a few days. Do you see a Physiotherapist? I must say though, mine never lasted for months.
fibrolizzy
fibrolizzy
I have to agree with Leo. I think it sounds like a disc or muscular issue. Probably an MRI would be in order. My flares are like daisy's with exhaustion, dizziness, and all over pain.
MsRee
MsRee
Oh that sounds strange but we all have different things going on with our bodies and experience different things. Having 2 chronic illness sometimes I don't know what is what but now I know for sure that for my Fibro Flare it starts with my back and for my MS flare its my arm and legs. OMG! HELP!
Bobbii
Bobbii
My entire body starts to ache, spasms start occurring, my skin feels awful. Then the utter fatigue and fog start in, followed by dizziness. But it's the skin issue that tells me it's more than just regular fibro stuff going on.
wells1
wells1
My flares vary both in how they occur and where they occur.

Cold weather, lack of sleep, and stress are the main factor for me. It can range from a mild ache to a stabbing pain and from some specific pressure points to generalized pain across my back and shoulders that radiates down my arms and legs. There have been extreme cases of tingling then numbness where I completely lose my mobility and functionality. The muscle pain gets gradually worse for me until I am on bed rest. I have not had an exact same flare up in all the years I have been diagnosed.

You may be right that you have been misdaignosed. I wish you luck.
jjam86
jjam86
Thank you all so very much for the information!! Your accounts of your flares leads me to begin doubting my diagnosis again. I just wish there was some way I could get an MRI to determine that I do not have any type of disc problems causing all this. I have no idea how to get a dr. to order one. I also cannot afford one either. :(
elaneyb
elaneyb
For me it's usually comes on slowly and I'm a mess before I realize it's a flare, except when there is something else medically going on as well. The fun part is that is I have had 2 right shoulder surgeries and when I strain it, it seems to ignite a flare up that spreads across shoulders , then down whole body.
It sounds like perhaps you have two issues going on possibly. I agree with the others that you should pursue finding out if there is a pinched nerve or strain, etc. These things will trigger my fibro.
Good luck and thanks for the question.
YoukaiShifter
YoukaiShifter
My "flares" are simply an increase to the severity of my symptoms that last a couple days to a few weeks or more. But unfortunately my symptoms are pretty consistent in terms of being there. In terms of severity they greatly change thought the day or thru time. I have been finding myself slowly becoming worse but I'm not honestly sure I just have fibromyalgia either. I've had fibromyalgia like symptoms for a number of years now but was only diagnosed ~8 months ago. After the symptoms became more consistent instead of random bouts of pains that landed me in the hospital only to "magically disappear"... Giving me a GREAT reputation.. They all were thinking I was attention seeking..
NannaKMS
NannaKMS
When l had my first flare it occurred that way l had some symptoms before but l woke up with my neck so stiff l couldn't turn my head and l could hardly move my arms. I also had burning in my neck and down my arms. I have had this to a lesser degree since. Its like the muscles gel together. Hope that helped.