Fibromyalgia Support Group
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Is there any other disease/condition that would cause the tender points to hurt when pushed on?
I was first diagnosed with fibro over 10 years ago and I don't remember why. I mean, I was in a car accident a few years before that and I've always dealt with fatigue but I wasn't in a much pain. Anyway, I then was diagnosed again a few years ago only because I told my dr. I doubted I had it because of lack of pain. She pushed on the tender points which were really painful. Then I was diagnosed again about 4 years ago, again because I was doubtful. All because of those dang tender points! But I still don't have a whole lot of pain. I will, occasionally, have joint or muscle pain but not to the extreme that I've heard. In fact, I rarely take anything for it. I do still have the fatigue and fibro fog but I also have CFS.
So what do you all think? Is there something else out there that would cause the tender points to be painful? Or do I have a really mild case of fibro?
I was first diagnosed with fibro over 10 years ago and I don't remember why. I mean, I was in a car accident a few years before that and I've always dealt with fatigue but I wasn't in a much pain. Anyway, I then was diagnosed again a few years ago only because I told my dr. I doubted I had it because of lack of pain. She pushed on the tender points which were really painful. Then I was diagnosed again about 4 years ago, again because I was doubtful. All because of those dang tender points! But I still don't have a whole lot of pain. I will, occasionally, have joint or muscle pain but not to the extreme that I've heard. In fact, I rarely take anything for it. I do still have the fatigue and fibro fog but I also have CFS.
So what do you all think? Is there something else out there that would cause the tender points to be painful? Or do I have a really mild case of fibro?
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/whatisfibromyalgia/a/Tender-Point-Vs-Trigger-Point.htm
I use to have this spot on my hip that was like a sharp knife when it was in my 30's now I realize that was the start of those painful tenderpoints.
That's how fibro is dxed tenderpoints and wide spread pain and I didn't have ant other medical conditions.
Issue is treatment. Do the diverse diagnosis lead to different treatments? I take Cymbalta, which is typically given to people with fibro, and naltrexone which is typically prescribed by doctors who diagnose CFS and/or immunologists. I do great with the combination.
I don't know if there's any other illnesses/disease/condtions with the tender points. Two doctors diagnosing you is pretty consistent, I guess you could try a 3rd opinion, I don't know, just a suggestion since you have doubts.
But I do have to say, getting the diagnosis of fibro, I have gone through a denial period myself, thinking its something else. It was difficult for me to accept it. I also got a 2nd and 3rd opinion. I was diagnosed first by a Mystery Illness specialist, then an Internal medicine doctor and then again by a Rheumatologist. (along with CFS) after many other tests with symptoms similar to fibro -although I am unsure specifically about tender poings- other similar conditions Lupus, Lyme disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome....that is all I can think of right now.
When I had the first tender point test OMG I hurt in places I didn't even now hurt, What I remember most was the inside part of my knees. HOLY COW! I had no idea how tender I was there! I knew all of my neck and shoulder and everywhere else, but inner part of knees.. that was a new discovery to me even. OUCH! I had all tender points. every single one. and I still didn't believe for a while, and actually it's been since 2007 and I still have my doubts. However my doubts are because of how severe my symptoms are, so my case is opposite from yours
Oh Myofascial pain syndrome, I just read your other post, I am unsure, I don't know about it. I keep hearing about it being similar to fibro or going hand in hand with fibro, however, I honestly don't know about it, so I can't comment on that. (I will be doing some reading though, because now I'm curious..for you and for me)