What did the neurologists have to say? Did they run any tests?

It sounds as though your condition is neurological.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Well it is now July and I have finally started to get some help but my symptoms had to get much worse for someone to really pay attention. I have progressed form the shoulder/ear/temple pain and restless legs to restless everything. Seriously, it moved form my calves to my entire leg in both legs, my hips and my arms. It also progressed from just restlessness to muscle spasms, twitching, cramps and my newest symptoms: the feeling that someone is hammering bolts into the bottom of my feet, not being able to put my head forward towards my chest and every time I eat anything at all it feels like my stomach muscle is going to explode. I went for a sleep study Tuesday night and had to leave around 1am because the pain was so excruiatiog. I went to the doctor Thursday and he told me he is really worried about me and that he would find me relief immediately and ordered a bunch of tests. I am waiting on test results. He also prescribed me Darvocet, Prednizone and Soma with asprin and Codeine in it. I expressed concern about all the narcotics but he reassured me that it would be temporary and that he just wanted me to get some relief form the symptoms so I could get some sleep. (I was averaging 2-3 hours a night for quite some time and my job and family were suffering over it). In the diagnosis on the blood work sheet he wrote Polymyalgia. I had a friend who is a nurse look it up for me and all it means POLY=all or every and MYALGIA=muscles. So that is where I am at today. Anyone else with a simular story I would really love to hear form them or just if you have knowledge about these symptoms because I am getting quite worried and really need a bit of reassurance. I am a wife and mother to 4 children and 3 step-children that we are also raising full time, I work a full time job and of course enjoy a lot of hobbies outside of everything else and I am worried about what kind of changes I am going to have to make in order to cope with this thing that I have. Any encouraging words would be greatly appreciated....Thanks and God bless...Stacy

You have been through so much! I am glad that your physicians are finally taking notice and doing something about your condition. I would hate to specualte as to the cause, but a few thinggs jump to mind such as MS, Rheumatoid arthritis, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, or Parkinson's. I hope you find out what the problem is! Please keep us posted as to what you find out!

Well, the blood tests are in and they showed nothing. Now my doctor is sending me to a rheumatologist. I have gotten a little relief and sleep but hope an answer is found soon. My boss gave me the week off to just take the meds and rest. Just getting a little more sleep is bringing improvement. Will keep you posted...thanks..Stacy

have you had a neck or upper spine mri yet?

I have the neck, shoulder, arm, palm and last two fingers situation too - I have been in extreme pain for several months with this and after a steroid injection into the shoulder I now feel a little relief. However, I have had Physiotherapy, blood tests, x-rays, MRI and am now awaiting a nerve conduction test. I was informed by an orthopoedic specialist that I have cervical spondylitis but he did not think this was directly causing the shoulder problem. He thinks it is definitely neurological and that it will probably require an operation to release the trapped nerve. However, nothing can be done till I see the neurologist.

I sympathise with you and the despair you feel. I imiagine that you, like me, become sensitive to the looks that pass between friends when they hear that you are not well again and you get to the point where you don't want to talk about it any more. But this forum can help as you will find many sympathetic people here.

One thing occured to me - you seem to have a huge remit. Can you delegate some of your load to others? That, combined with the fact that you are seriously sleep deprived and exhausted, could certainly contribute to some of the muscular pain you have been experiencing. Take the meds every night - take the codeine early enough not to impact on your working day. Ask your doctor about Amitriptylene too, as that , in small doses taken at night, will relax your muscles, solve the restless leg syndrome and encourage restful sleep.

I suggest from experience that you look into a diet rich in fiber vegetables and fruits and low on meat. You might have high oxalates which bind to the calcium and produce crystals that usually affect the urinary track to form kidney stone but also do go to joints and muscles and cause unexplainable pain.
In this case take clacium citrate supplements available off the counter.
Remember the medications you are taking treat the symptoms but not the cause of the problems. People want instant relief and medications might offer that but if we give our bodies enough time to heal and the right conditions it will.
Try also short term fasting to detoxify your body. If you have faith pray and have hope your body's immune system will be more able to fight. God bless you.

Stacy, I'm so sorry that you are in such pain, It sounds like you finally found a doctor that will leave no stone unturned. I will pray for you and your family. God bless you dear.

skeeter52