Expert: Kathleen Lewis Date: 11/4/2007 Subject: Puzzling symptoms -- Fibromyalgia?
Question HI, and thanks for your time.
I am completely puzzled as to what's happening to me, and since I'm far from home (Fulbrghter in Africa), a bit worried about the problem of limited local access to medical help.
For some months I've been suffering from extreme muscle pains and aches, especially in the hips and legs, although occasionally also in the arms. Every once in a while, when the pains are especially bad, depression is associated, with dark moods and even anger (I'm not normally an angry person). At those times I'll be so tired I'll fall into bed fully dressed because I'm also very cold (especially hands and feet), and even though I try to read, I'll start dozing in and out at around 9:00 PM (I usually like to stay up very late). Even with the heater going and blankets, I'm still very cold. I run a low-grade fever of ca. 100 degrees F.
My last blood workup (mid-June) showed increased C-Reactive protein (16), and an increased sedimentation rate (41). Otherwise, everything was pretty much within normal range (sugar a bit high, but not diabetic).
My PCP ascribed the blood values above to Lipitor and took me off it, prescribing Zetia instead. The pains in my legs and hips continue. Some days they're unbearable; others, nearly non-existent. I'm a 60-year-old female of Scandinavian extraction.
What on earth is going on???
Again, thanks for your time and trouble.
LitDoc
Answer Hi LilDoc,
Sounds like you are dealing with some kind of rheumatic disease ... FM, Raynauds, etc. ... especially with symptoms and labs that you've been having.
Diagnosis of a rheumatic disease is sometimes like putting pieces of a puzzle together over time. A rheumatologist is the specialist to be seeing to follow your labs and symptoms. Keep track of your symptoms on a month at a glance calendar along with labs, etc.. NSAIDs can help with inflammation.
