Hi all -
Like many others on this board I've gone through periods of feeling reallly good, only to have symptoms shift or new ones pop up that make me question whether my issues are benign - then the viscious circle begins, which usually involves our friend Google. I'm sure this is all too familiar to many of you.
It's been over 2 yrs now so I don't worry much about ALS or MS, but obsess about connective tissue diseases. I did have a slightly positive ANA of 1:40 (Nucleolar) about 1.5 yrs ago which the neuro and rheumy blew off becasue they said in general my labs were "excellent" (CK, CRP, Sed rate), MRIs, EMG, exams etc...normal.
Wanted to ask the following to those of you who have dealt with this a while.
1.) should I be concerned that my tendons seem to be getting irritated. Not deep joint pain, but usually near a joint. Not full out painful tendonitis. Just nagging irritation (makes my question if it's tendonitis related at all). Scared of connective tissue related tendonitis/arthritis. Even when there are no fasics. Occurs in the tendon that attaches to my knee caps, at side of my ankle, tarsal area of foot (side of heel), both ulnar flexor tendons before the wrist (underside of forearm - outermost tendon that runs down to pinky side of hand), tendons that run to elbows. Some days the tendon pain is there, some days not. Backs of hands are uncomfortable sometimes and usually when I flex my wrist back (as if halting traffic) it feels tight, slightly burning and a bit fatigued where the backs of my hands meet the wrists.
2.) I've woken up with numb pinky fingers and do get tingles there on some days. And I do get pain around the elbows. Possibly ulnar nerve entrapment? Is nerve entrapment common with BFS? Should I be concerned about this?
3.) do you guys get pain in these areas? Do you have tendon involvement and do you get pain even when you haven't felt fasics for a few days. Are these things all part of BFS?
4.) When I'm stressed, I'm in a lot more pain - this is when a lot of muscle pain comes into the mix. I can feel the fasics - its like a car engine in idle in my limbs. I've always used this as proof that the condition was benign. Doesn't seem likely that a systemic disease would respond to anxiety in this way.
And I've read about connection of fasics with Myasthenia Gravis (which I've tested neg for), but not really any other CT disease. Have been telling myself this as well.
Any thoughts.
Sorry for the detail. I appreciate any responses - starting to freak.
Thanx
Scott
Like many others on this board I've gone through periods of feeling reallly good, only to have symptoms shift or new ones pop up that make me question whether my issues are benign - then the viscious circle begins, which usually involves our friend Google. I'm sure this is all too familiar to many of you.
It's been over 2 yrs now so I don't worry much about ALS or MS, but obsess about connective tissue diseases. I did have a slightly positive ANA of 1:40 (Nucleolar) about 1.5 yrs ago which the neuro and rheumy blew off becasue they said in general my labs were "excellent" (CK, CRP, Sed rate), MRIs, EMG, exams etc...normal.
Wanted to ask the following to those of you who have dealt with this a while.
1.) should I be concerned that my tendons seem to be getting irritated. Not deep joint pain, but usually near a joint. Not full out painful tendonitis. Just nagging irritation (makes my question if it's tendonitis related at all). Scared of connective tissue related tendonitis/arthritis. Even when there are no fasics. Occurs in the tendon that attaches to my knee caps, at side of my ankle, tarsal area of foot (side of heel), both ulnar flexor tendons before the wrist (underside of forearm - outermost tendon that runs down to pinky side of hand), tendons that run to elbows. Some days the tendon pain is there, some days not. Backs of hands are uncomfortable sometimes and usually when I flex my wrist back (as if halting traffic) it feels tight, slightly burning and a bit fatigued where the backs of my hands meet the wrists.
2.) I've woken up with numb pinky fingers and do get tingles there on some days. And I do get pain around the elbows. Possibly ulnar nerve entrapment? Is nerve entrapment common with BFS? Should I be concerned about this?
3.) do you guys get pain in these areas? Do you have tendon involvement and do you get pain even when you haven't felt fasics for a few days. Are these things all part of BFS?
4.) When I'm stressed, I'm in a lot more pain - this is when a lot of muscle pain comes into the mix. I can feel the fasics - its like a car engine in idle in my limbs. I've always used this as proof that the condition was benign. Doesn't seem likely that a systemic disease would respond to anxiety in this way.
And I've read about connection of fasics with Myasthenia Gravis (which I've tested neg for), but not really any other CT disease. Have been telling myself this as well.
Any thoughts.
Sorry for the detail. I appreciate any responses - starting to freak.
Thanx
Scott