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My thigh muscles are like stone, is this a Fibro symptom?

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    My thigh muscles are like stone, is this a Fibro symptom?

    Hi. I don't know where to post this because I don't know where or if I belong here at this point, but I have this new symptom that is really bothering me and I'm looking for advice. I was evaluated for ms, but my MRI was clear and I feel like a Fibro diagnosis might be coming. The neuro mentioned it as a possibility and I've developed much more pain recently. I started with mostly paresthesia and a few other things. Anyway, can Fibro cause very hard, tight muscles that sometimes hurt and make walking difficult? The past few days the front of my thighs (quads?) have been tensing up like this for hours or all day. It was mostly the left, but now the right one has joined the party. Sometimes my left calf muscle and muscles in my left arm feel the same way and also twitch. My left side is where my latest episode of numbness/tingling was too. Is this spasticity and is it a Fibro symptom? Also, is hyperreflexia something that happens with Fibro too? Thanks!

    #2
    You really need to spend additional time with your medical team trying to isolate the root cause of your problem. Prior to diagnosing MS, your doctor should rule out all other plausible causes of your symptoms. Fibro has wide-spread musculoskeletal pain, but I am not sure how common rigidity or spasticity is in Fibro patients. What you're describing in your thighs sounds more like rigidity (similar to Parkinson's) or spasticity (more common in MS patients). That's the problem trying to reach a diagnosis, or advice over the internet, when we are not medical professionals or privy to your medical history.

    What doctors have you visited?
    • A neurologist would be best position to diagnose MS. If you haven't seen a MS Specialist please try to do so. MS Specialist have training and experience that normally greatly surpasses that of a general neurologist.
    • A rheumatologist would be best at diagnosing Fibro.

    Both fibro and MS symptoms are increased with stress, so please try to take a deep breath and relax as much as possible. Rent a movie, grab a book or anything to distract yourself and try to unwind. We understand how stressful symptoms can be and not knowing what's going on with your body. We understand how you might have anxiety about your present or future, but that's why real answers are so important. I'm sorry this is happening to you. I hope your symptoms abate and a diagnosis is both quick and kind to you.

    Feel free to ask any additional questions and I wish you well.

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      #3
      Marco, thank you so much for responding. I have an appointment with my PCP next week and I will ask her what to do next. I saw a neurologist, but I don't think she has much experience with ms (it was a sleep clinic, not much choice where I am!). Regardless, I had an MRI of my brain and cervical spine and the report says there's nothing there. When this symptom started I was just wondering if people with Fibro had it because the only other suggestion the neuro had for what was going on with me was Fibro. Everything else has been ruled out. It still doesn't seem quite right to me, my muscles are very tight, but not always painful. It's always the same ones. Anyway, I know I can't find a diagnosis here, but this came on so strong and suddenly that it made me a little nervous! The only abnormal finding on my neuro exam in November was hyperreflexia. Now I'm limping, so I wonder if that would change! I guess I just wanted to tame my crazy "what if they made a mistake" thoughts by confirming that Fibro can cause this.

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        #4
        Originally posted by Smilebug View Post
        Marco, thank you so much for responding. I have an appointment with my PCP next week and I will ask her what to do next. I saw a neurologist, but I don't think she has much experience with ms (it was a sleep clinic, not much choice where I am!). Regardless, I had an MRI of my brain and cervical spine and the report says there's nothing there. When this symptom started I was just wondering if people with Fibro had it because the only other suggestion the neuro had for what was going on with me was Fibro. Everything else has been ruled out. It still doesn't seem quite right to me, my muscles are very tight, but not always painful. It's always the same ones. Anyway, I know I can't find a diagnosis here, but this came on so strong and suddenly that it made me a little nervous! The only abnormal finding on my neuro exam in November was hyperreflexia. Now I'm limping, so I wonder if that would change! I guess I just wanted to tame my crazy "what if they made a mistake" thoughts by confirming that Fibro can cause this.

        Hey smilebug!
        Many of us are SICK & TIRED of doctors, but I believe you need to see additional doctors until you have more concrete answers. The process to get a diagnoses can be maddening, frustrating and even dehumanizing. I'm sorry that you are having health problems and also not getting the prompt/definitive answers that you seek.

        Your PCP should be able to help you navigate the system and be an advocate for you. A few suggestions:

        1. Ask the neurologist to request a "peer review" of your case from a MS Specialist or other neurologist. They can essentially forward your information (with your approval) and get a second opinion. It's always helpful to get a second opinion especially from someone with more expertise in a given area.

        2. While MRI lesions are often VERY helpful in diagnosing MS, they are not an absolute requirement. Approximately, 5% of MS patients will be diagnosed without lesions being visible on the MRI. I am not suggesting that you are in that small minority, just saying that having no MRI lesions does not absolutely rule out MS. That means your doctors need to keep digging until they find the root cause of your symptoms.

        3. I would seek out an experienced rheumatologist to review a possible Fibromyalgia diagnosis. Like MS, many physicians are not quick to diagnose Fibromyalgia without running down and ruling out mimics. There are also people (like me) that have been diagnosed with both MS and Fibro.

        4. You might consider seeing a Physiatrist (or Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation) doctor to evaluate your leg muscle issues. They should be able to differentiate between physical and neurological causes of your pain/stiffness. They can also provide an evaluation of your gait and make possible suggestions.


        Your PCP should help you prioritize your needs and hopefully refer you to qualified specialists. Answers are important not only for your peace of mind, but because early disease treatment will often have the highest returns. Hang in there! Try to continue to enjoy your life and not stress about this. Just one day at a time ... sometimes one minute at a time. I wish you well.

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          #5
          Thanks Marco. This is very helpful advice. I will talk to my PCP to see if I can get a referral to a rheumatologist, although the more I find out about Fibro, the less I think I have it! I wouldn't mind having someone else check my MRI, just to be sure. My neuro was very dismissive and ultimately unhelpful, so I want to seek help elsewhere! I'm realizing that I need to be patient if I'm going to keep trying to figure out what's going on with me! It's hard to relax and enjoy life right now, but I will try. Again, very good advice! Take care.

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            #6
            Smileybug, I haven't read anyones responses to you so please excuse me if I say duplicate things.First, I am glad you are here and many people here want to help you. You don't have to have a concrete diagnosis to be here (least that is MY understanding). Second, What you are describing sure sounds like muscle cramps that many of us get from our MS. Last of all, GET YOURSELF TO A DIFFERENT DOCTOR, AKA get a 2nd opinion. Some people have had to go to more than one Neuro to get a firm diagnosis. PLEASE lean on those who support you and don't try to do this alone if you don't have to.
            Peace to all,
            LM
            RRMS 11/11/2005, SPMS 20011 (guess I 'graduated')

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