I was in an auto accident about 22 years ago. Until recently, I hadn't had too much trouble with my back, but in the last 3 years I have extreme pain in my back, neck, shoulders, legs, numbness in my arms and legs, headaches, depression and recently, my feet have become a real problem. It started out with a little numbness in my three middle toes and in about 4 months has progressed into a strange numbness in both feet that also has much pain. It feels like my feet are always wet or like I'm standing in sludge, whether or not I have shoes and socks on. I have seen my doctor and she said x-rays are normal and she has put me on Prozac and an anti inflamatory, she mentioned fibromalgia. Could the x-rays not have showed something in my cervical spine. I have a physical scheduled next week, but do you have any suggestions as to what my problem could be. It's effecting my life. Help!
206677
X-rays show skeletal problems, not muscle or nerve damage. See a neurologist
665967
Do you have a general practioner?  Often they can at least point you in the right direction.  Also, many insurances will cover "specialists" if you have a referral from your family doctor.\n\nOn a side note, I had a similar problem once and I couldn't figure out what started it, until I realized that unconsciously I was placing my feet on the bottom of my computer chair when I sat down to type.  It was causing "welts" that would get tingly when I walked.  Took me about three days to figure out what I was doing to cause it.  Then I felt like an idiot.  ;)
452893
Check in with the doctor first to make sure you haven't worn down the tissue too much. It's probably just a stress injury, but those are some of the most annoying ones. Probably the reason the pain subsides is it goes into a numb-like state, or you just stop noticing because you're in the zone. If this has been bothering you for awhile take at least two weeks off. If you can't do that, then maybe cut back on your mileage to a minimum. Then at least you aren't breaking the habit.
341180
It doesn't sound like the type of thing I would ignore, but I wouldn't jump to extreme conclusions like a brain tumor or something.\n\nActually, it sounds more like poor circulation, and that CAN be VERY serious in the brain - i.e. strokes.  It is definitely something to head to the doctor about.  This can cause very serious problems.  If nothing else, you may have tendinitis in your feet and some inserts or physical therapy could help.  That part sounds especially odd.
365585
I have had lower back pain that just suddenly knocks me off my feet and hurts for days, but never a throbbing pain. After being checked out a few times, doctors have concluded that I am under stress,  or I pinched a nerve, or I was lifting something wrong, but they can't point to anything physically wrong. It has cost me a lot of money to hear the words, "I don't know..." I usually just take some Dones back pills, and as soon as I can hot showers and the pain goes away in 3 or 4 days.\n\nThe last time my back went out, I was tighing my shoelace. The weight of the shoelace must have caused me to stress out and I pinched a nerve.
54451
Yes, and it hurts like hell!!  The best thing to do is to stay off of it completely!  At least 3 weeks after diagnosed, start rehabilitation.  All I did for the first month after being diagnosed was rotate my foot. That stuff HURTS!!!
671915
Sounds like you are subconsciously making up for the slight immobility in your leg. I can understand why it would cause foot pain, especially in the Achilles tendon, since your inertia as you move would be causing you to be hyperextending your foot. It's probably also connected to the knee pain. You may have developed a habitual limp. Anyone who's ever injured their knee or ankle has experienced the same sort of feeling. I can imagine that this feels completely abnormal though, or else you wouldn't have been describing it here. If you have BlueCross BlueShield, I know that specialists are covered without recommendation under "special office visits". You should have an orthopaedist do an xray to ensure that your cartilage isn't developing elasticity and that it's not flipping around a bone or growth. He should also watch your walk and see what habits you may have developed. Do you have a cane? I've learned that this can cause a weekness in certain muscles, causing others to over-compensate.
401321
I Believe U should ask your doctor for an XRAY for your shouldier,& in most cases U will need to have an MRI, for your doctor to  "Really Discover the true source of your pain". If your current doctor does not respond get another opinion. The Physical pain & Associated symptoms does NOT in any way suggest that it is Anxiety or  Depression,the fact you have put up with this wrenching pain for 6 months suggests,you have something PHYSICALLY wrong with your shouldier.Don't let this doctor fob you off like this ok. The symptoms you r describing could be either[ a torn ligament,in which case only an MRI will show this up]or  very briused and damaged muscle's & tendons around your shouldier, The numbness is trying to tell your physical body,your blood circulation is being restricted to the areas you have mentioned.The fact that  your 2 upper and lower ribs r also affected tells me you have a Physical  Medical Ailment,Definitely Nothing to do with anxiety or depression.You need to have exrays and possably an MRI coving ALL your affected areas. Sweetheart NO IT IS NOT IN YOUR HEAD OK. Hope U get the medical tests & treatment you "REALLY NEED"     Love & care\n ps.or you could have a very small fracture in this shouldier,they R hard to detect,so U need to be FIRM Medically about your Shouldier. This Pain  Will NOT JUST GO AWAY without  Proper & adequate Physical checks & treatment!!!                                                   starwind2012.
580783
It probably IS nerve damage or nerve pinching of some kind. The fact that the pain travels up your arms reveals that. I'm no doctor but my father is a chiropractor (some don't believe in chiropractors, I know). We have patients with pinched nerves all the time, though it is almost always starting in their low back and going down to the legs. Starting in the hands IS odd, but it sounds a lot like the cases we have. We have had a few cases similiar to this one, but chiropractic cannot do a whole lot for it. Ultrasound is our main therapy with some adjustments the Chiropractor does.\n\nMore information is obviously required, as I have no idea your age or if you have even seen a doctor about this (I would assume you have, but if you have not, GO SEE ONE!), and the fact that I am NOT a doctor. Also, you say no weakness or tingling, but how about numbness?\n\nWhatever it turns out to be, I hope you find an answer and a solution!
644971
I'm so sorry that you've had this problem for so many years! Since you've tried so many other options (without success), I would like to recommend seeing a chiropractor. Contrary to popular belief, chiropractic is more than just "neck and back pain."  Chiropractic is founded in the belief that our Central Nervous System (brain, spinal cord, and nerves) controls EVERY bodily function.  A misalignment of the vertebrae (what chiropractic calls a "subluxation") could pinch the nerves running out between them, causing pain, numbness/tingling, or any type of general malfunction of that nerve's corresponding body part. This is why chiropractic has tremendous success in helping people with headaches, numbness in hands and feet, chronic ear infections, and many others.\n\nThere are many different chiropractic techniques out there, so it would be best for you to ask around, visit a few offices and pick the doctor that you are most comfortable with. Taking pain medication is only masking the symptom of pain but is not correcting the problem. No matter what you decide to do, I sincerely hope that things improve for you.
379328
i have it.it feels like someone is pouring boiling hot water down my back.then some takes me by the head and keeps beating me into a brick wall..this illness really sucks.go to fibrohugs.com.and look for letter to normals.that about sums it up!
539864
Return to the hospital,\n they may  need , to re-x- ray your ankle ,\n it is possible a small  fracture, has been missed .\n\n Or you could have, an Achilles tendon injury  ( very painful ) \n that also and may  not  show up on the x-ray , at first .\n\n Do not weight -bear on it ,until you have had the doctors O.K \n\n pain and muscle spasms are warning signs,\n and should not be ignored \n\n I like the way you are being looked after hand and foot ,  \n that is great ;)\n That is good ! LOL!\n\n :( pain is not :((\n\n I hope you heal up very soon \n\n>^,,^<
334111
I have for years had a stinging sensation travel up the side of my neck periodically- It doesnt last long but can be a scary weird feeling- This indicates a "PINCHED NERVE"- You can see a chiropractor for help in decompression but NEVER EVER see a chiropractor that refuses to x-ray you first. He could make it worse. A neurologist would be able to help give advice in this category- I have always tried cold packs to ease the sensation. Cryotherapy..aka..cold packs will reduce blood flow to the area and inflamation that may occur which may be making the nerve "pinch" in the first place...good luck
513260
Go see a chiropractor quickly. He/she will evaluate you by X-ray and physical exam. You will then be started on whatever therapy is beneficial to you. I went through something similar after an accident. It helped me.
72478
Personally, I have had Fibro since I was 16 and am now almost 36. I have seen more doctors over the years than I can count from Neurologists to Rhuematologists to Chiropractors to Psychiatrists to Pain Specialists. In my experience pain medications do not work. A muscle relaxant is much more helpful. I have also tried biofeedback, steroid shots, trigger point injections, two sleep studies, nerve blocks, accupuncture, foot braces, wrist braces, carpal tunnel release surguries, and so much more. All just torture and I felt like a guinea pig.\n\nMy best advise is make sure to get plenty of sleep, take a multiple vitamin, remember you are what you eat, keep active in at least low impact sports, and consider Magnesium and Malic Acid supplements (consult the doctor or a nutritionist to have your Magnesuim level checked- it is a simpe mouth swab and not painful), meditation does help some in keeping the pain back if you can seperate your mind from the pain, and try to take 2-3 warm Epson Salt baths a week (Epson salt contains Magnesium and soaking in a warm tub of it helps to get the mineral into the body. Magnesium aids the muscles in using oxygen and when the level is low which is typical in Fibro it can cause are cramps, spasms, and pain.) \n\nAlso, Fibromyalgia is a neurotransmitter disorder and certain foods can trigger similiar symptoms to Fibro. Try eliminating Monsodium Glutamate from your diet. I did and some of my symptoms (chronic headaches and nausea) went away. It is in everything from Doritos to chicken soup. A few key finding's of an FDA study found MSG to cause a "burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest". Otherwise, learn your limits and pace yourself.\n\nGood luck!\n\nHere's some of the best information available.\n\nTreatment of Fibromyalgia in Detail\nRobert Bennett MD, FRCP\n\nIf you are reading this you probably have a common syndrome of chronic musculoskeletal pain called fibromyalgia. This chronic pain state is now appreciated to be caused by abnormalities of sensory processing within the spinal cord and brain. As such you will usually experience a bewildering (both to you and your doctor) array of bodily and psychological problems that can seldom be “cured”. However, armed with both patience and knowledge, many fibromyalgia patients can be helped to live with less pain and be more productive. In my own evolving experience of dealing with this problem I can identify 7 aspects of management that are of importance for your doctor to successful manage your fibromyalgia.\n\nMy Advice to Doctors who care for Fibromyalgia Patients\n\n1. Realize that FM patients are going to be a chronic challenge.\n2. Be non-judgmental and prepared to be an advocate.\n3. Understand the pathophysiological basis for symptoms.\n4. Analyze and treat pain complaints in a systemic approach.\n5. Recognize and treat psychological problems at an early stage.\n6. Recognize associated syndromes of disordered sensory processing.\n7. Involve all FM patients in a program of stretching and gentle aerobic exercise.\n\nTreatment of pain in fibromyalgia \n\nPain is the primary over-riding problem for most of you. Many of the problems you experience are largely a secondary consequence of having chronic pain. When pain is even partly relieved, fibromyalgia patients experience a significant improvement in psychological distress, cognitive abilities, sleep and functional capacity. A total elimination of pain is currently not possible in the majority of fibromyalgia patients. However worthwhile improvements can nearly always be achieved by a careful systematic analysis of the pain complaints. As a generalization fibromyalgia related pain can be divided into general pain (i.e. the chronic background pain experience and focal pain (i.e. the intensification of pain in a specific region – usually aggravated by movement). The latter is probably a potent driving force in the generation of central sensitization. Attem
472837
My Dr. and I just discusses this last week. Not all people who go through that are going through it due to being lazy. I have limited things i can do as of exercise as i was a passenger in a car accident that almost broke my neck. My feet are bad and i can't walk much or use a tread mill.\n\nDr. talked about this due to trying to help me lower my blood pressure, diabetes, high cholestrol, ect.\n\n I will review all the info here and all the sites you listed and talk to my Dr. again. Thank you Ziggy for your information.
620501
You need to ask your doctor to refer you to a neurologist. If your primary care physician refers you, quite often insurance covers it. If not, you need to decide whether or not you can afford it and, if not, start calling public health clinics and county hospitals to find someone who can help you.\n\nHow in heaven's name did you decide that it's your adrenal glands that are being "shocked?" That sounds wrong to me, as I can't imagine they have a whole lot of pain receptors.\n\nHonestly, your diagnosing your own conditions tells me that you don't have the best doctor around--and by that I mean YOU. Let the pros handle it, but do your research.