Is Muscle And Joint Pain With Weakness Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia?

Posted on Mon, 21 Apr 2014

Question: thank you Dr. I have widespread muscle and joint pain, weakness too and have been diagnose with fibromyalgia. I have also been experiencing a lot of tingling in my back and legs. I have been getting a lot of twitching and spasms in my legs and fingers, my question is, are these all symptoms of fibromyalgia? thanks again,I should add that I have trouble walking because of the weakness, and balance problems, and I use kruches XXXX

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Not entirely consistent with fibromyalgia Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for your query. Fibromyalgia is often a diagnosis of exclusion which means that you have to undergo thorough assessment and investigation before this diagnosis can be made. Therefore you should have had a full medical history and physical examination by your physician, blood work, an MRI scan of your spine and possibly your brain, nerve conduction studies before someone could make the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. This condition cause muscle aches and pain and fatigue. It does not usually cause neurological symptoms such as tingling or numbness. It does not usually cause twitching a spams and so I would question the diagnosis on what you have told me and encourage you to seek a second opinion and some further investigation if not already performed. regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Karl Logan (18 minutes later)

thankyou for answering my question, I did have an MRI and exray, and the only thing that showed was degenerative discs and a bulging disc in my neck. I was told this was all normal for my age,XXXX

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Further advice regarding investigation and opinion Detailed Answer: Hellow again, I hope they MRI scanned your whole spine? If you had no spinal cord or nerve root compression on the scan then this is reassuring from that point of view. You are right in that the changes you describe are common findings on an MRI and can be normal in many adult patients. It may also be prudent to MRI scan your brain and it would be worth seeking an opinion from a neurologist. Nerve conduction studies would also be important which some neurologists do perform in the office.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Karl Logan (22 minutes later)

Thank you so much for helping me, I have seen a neurologist, it was about 4 or 5 years ago though, and that was when I was told I had fibromyalgia. I was never really given a reason for the spasms twitching, and tingling.

Answered by Dr. Karl Logan (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Revisit the diagnosis Detailed Answer: It sound like you have been thoroughly assessed although it never hurts to revisit a diagnosis. If this does prove to be only firbromyalgia then you may simply be left with treating your symptoms only. As you wil; see from the HMSA website there are many recommendations there for helping with the symptoms associated with hyper mobility syndrome. Speaking to others with a similar diagnosis can also help.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D