Recent content by DarthPete

Been there, done that! Like so many other BFS symptoms, I find that it comes and goes but recurrences seem to get less intense as time goes on.

I've gone the rheumatologist route as well. He found a low level of thyroid antibodies (no treatment warranted at that time). He also did a genetic test (due to my nearly chronic back pain) that revealed that I am HLA-B27 antigen positive: "The first human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotype...

There you go again Steve, being the voice of reason (although I still won't touch a meat pie).

I checked generalized fatigue although I frequently suffer from mild exercise intolerance and sore, achy muscles as well. I suspect that many on this board suffer from more than one of the listed maladies.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (a type of arthritis) and Psoriasis. Non-immune issues include: IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and Migraine/Cluster headaches.

Muscle weakness precedes fasciculations (although there are exceptions to every rule). I've never had an EMG. After a couple of basic office neuro tests, it was determined that an EMG would be a waste of time and money. I've "survived" over 8 years with the incredible annoyance of this...

Yes, but: "Some ALS patients with fatigue and mild weakness can have profuse fasciculations at an early phase in the evolution of the disease. Patients with denervation localized in one region and diffuse FPs should be strongly suspected of having ALS. " From my understanding of the abstract...

An ANA (anti-nuclear antibody) test only looks for specific antibodies. It is incapable of testing for all autoimmune conditions. A positive test result might point you in the direction of an autoimmune disease, but false positives are very common. I've had two ANA tests. The first one was...

I have read here in the FAQ section on this webside: "A simple clinical rule is that fasciculations in relaxed muscle are never indicative or motor system disease unless there is an associated weakness, atrophy, or reflex change." This puts my mind at ease about ***. But it makes me wonder...

From the CDC website: DISEASE INFORMATION Epstein-Barr virus, frequently referred to as EBV, is a member of the herpesvirus family and one of the most common human viruses. The virus occurs worldwide, and most people become infected with EBV sometime during their lives. In the United States...

You might want to try to use the search option. I've read more than a few accounts of people with BFS having swallowing concerns.

IBS here as well (diagnosed after various tests, including a colonoscopy, failed to reveal any physical abnormalities). Started about a year and a half before the BFS. Now it comes and goes.

It seems that on the other side of the pond, BFS is often referred to as PNH (Peripheral Nerve Hyperexcitabilty).

I keep it to myself. As a hypochondriac, friends and family have had to put up with my health anxiety since childhood. I've finally decided to keep my mouth shut and not burden them with any more tales (or details) of my physical problems (real or imagined).

No sweat. Most of us on this board can understand the fears associated with this incredibly annoying, but benign, syndrome. Maybe one day in the not so distant future we'll be able to look back and laugh about what we've put ourselves and others through.