I've looked up my new symptoms that suddenly came on after dental cavity filling & they seem to be fibromyalgia now? Night sweats & palms. burning, itching, numb skin. tender spots and joint pain. Could I now have fibromyalgia? I don't see where you can get any relief for this syndrome. I am not coping well and I feel really sick. ELISA Lyme test negative.
Posted by Kristyn (Member # 51857) on :
Was it an amalgam filling ? (Mercury). Big no no for lyme patients.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Kristyn's question matter most right now: Mercury? This is a major matter to consider and, if so, action needs to be taken that might help so some degree. It would make a lot of sense in light of your symptoms.
To some of your questions.
If one has lyme as a diagnosis, they cannot also have "fibromyaglia" - as a diagnosis. Not really.
Although those seasoned in dismissal from the medical world have learned that sometimes using that term in a doctor's office will at least set forth some kind of acceptance and understanding that you deal with a complex matter.
It's not medically correct, though, most doctors are not concerned about that - or their bosses won't let them me. The medical system is much more "accepting" is some small ways of FM as a diagnosis, which is really cannot be - but they use it anyway.
Because "fibromyalgia" really is not a distinct diagnosis - it's a constellation of symptoms - that can have various causes, including various viral or bacterial infections.
Very often, most often, actually, those with lyme are first diagnosed with either "fibromyalgia" &/or "chronic fatigue syndrome" however,
both FM and CFS are "uimbrella" or "trash can" diagnosis that cover symptoms, not a specific disease.
Of course, those with FM &/or CFS symptoms are most often in much pain and have many other serious symptoms that match the not at all adequate or proper names of both FM and CFS.
That your - FM symptoms - are flaring now is no surprise after a dentist visit, even if it had been simple, quick and with no fillings. Just being in a dentist's chair, opening one's mouth, etc. can bring up a flare of FM symptoms, which meas a flare of lyme &/or inflammation from lyme (or other infection that is on board).
There are also other things to consider that flare lyme symptoms (I'm dropping the use of "FM symptoms" because FM symtoms are lyme symptoms for someone with lyme.
Fibro - Muscle pain is the descriptor of FM symptoms.
Still, there may be other things that flare these particular symptoms such as certain foods that don't agree with your body, lack of good sleep, dehydrations, effects of certain Rx or OTC items or even some vitamins or herbal items.
Raised blood sugar can also trigger the fibro - muscle pain symptoms.
And - the composition -- exactly what went into the filling - should be considered. It if was a shiny silver tone filling, itl like is a metal amalgam that could contain some mercury.
Even if a tooth toned "composite" filling, which is safer, the physical experience of getting a filling very often causes
fibro muscle pain for those with lyme for some days afterward.
The numbing shot given, too. Sometimes they might have epinephrine and that can trigger FIBRO MUSCLE PAIN for those with lyme. -
[ 10-31-2019, 01:49 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Bottom line: no, you don't have to be concerned about evaluation a "new" diagnosis, that of FM (fibromyalgia).
The kind of doctor that usually officially diagnoses "FM" is a rheumatologist and, in my experience, that's all they considered. Many of them simply do not understand, have knowledge of or even "believe in" lyme.
They usually just stop with "FM" and prescribe various pain medicines and anti-depressants which, most often not only do not help with lyme but can make it worse when the lyme is not considered fully before any Rx is suggested.
***
If your filling contained mercury, though, I strongly suggest containing your (or a) LLMD ASAP for things you might do to help offset the mercury. It can have profound neurological impact and a LLMD or LL ND will best know what might help protect you at this point.
***
-- sorry, in my attempt to explain - I seem never to be able to be concise.
Just beacause one lyme test - and espeically an ELISA - was deemed negative does mean you do not have lyme. ELISA tests are terribly inferior tests in the first place.
That you've been on this discussion board for number of years, I assume you've had some other kinds of lyme tests or a clinical - in person - evaluation by a doctor who is truly "lyme literate" who knows that ELISA test is worthless in the face of your evaluation.
And, I hope that whatever LLMD you might have seen for full & proper clinical evaluation.
No test can rule out lyme. A diagnosis is a clinical one, based on your presentation (how your body moves, or doesn't . . how you manage with moving through space, managing sensory input, and so much more including history & symptoms . . . and how you manage with just getting through a day.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Have you been evaluated / tested for Babesia? The night sweats are a classic babesia syptom.
Though if epinephrine was in the numbing shot, that could also cause sweats due to the endocrine disruption - and those with lyme are much more subseptible (sp?) to that kind of side-effect.
Your might might also be working out the substances from the shot - and, again, the substances in the filling.
Do find out exactly what went into that.
Also consider the time of year. If you just put your blankets back on your bed, if they are fleece, they can make you sweat big time.
Be sure to use cotton sheets and if you have a fleece blanket, try to use a cotton blanket between your cotton sheet and the fleece blanket, too. Cotton is best to avoid sweating in clothes, nightwear and bedding (as least closer to your skin).
Are you taking any other Rx that is new to you? That could also cause some of the symptoms. -
Posted by marie (Member # 3980) on :
I saw one of Dr E medical patients disability denials on-line & Dr E stated she had Lyme with secondary Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- It's political. It's bureaucratic. It's the way the medical and insurance coding system is set up.
Yes, by "offical" medical jargon, both FM and CFS will exit with a medical diagnosis code. Still, it's just not really medically true for someone with lyme.
However, both FM and CFS are often used by doctors who are LL and know that lyme causes those for someone with lyme . . .
but for the coding for the people or departments where the patient's record go or are scrutinized, it helps to also list FM or CFS so that the range of symptoms are illuminated.
The "secondary" specification indicated that CFS is caused by lyme, not separate from. The way that is stated implies that all symptoms of this particular patient's CFS are really due to lyme, itself.
But those who are not LL will read this as separate from.
When such diagnoses are needed for various medical reasons, or for help with disability insurance claim whether with SSA or private insurance, it is important to be able to use terms that most will understand the importance of.
At least, finally, in some experts' minds, at least FM and CFS have gained a certain degree of respect. So, it just makes sense to include those for an audience that is not truly in tune with the complexities of lyme / tick borne disease. -
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Agree with Keebler - the night sweats are usually an indication of the co-infection babesia, which I suggest you read about. If so, it will need treatment too.
Fibromyalgia is a presentation of Lyme disease, meaning the Lyme disease needs to be treated. We are all different in what we respond to. Best if you are working with an LLMD - Lyme-literate doctor. You can post in the Seeking a Doctor section for referrals in your area. We discuss doctor referrals in private messages.
Posted by marie (Member # 3980) on :
LLMD-Dr. C, NY stated on internet that you can have Lyme and fibromyalgia? Also saw a study by NIH - 15 patients-14 had fibromyalgia and Lyme and the only one asymptomatic with abx was Lyme only patient.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Fibromyalgia is one of the presentation syndromes of Lyme disease, which can have many presentations, because there's many different species and strains of it.