Shoulder weakness, fatigue, constant muscle pain

[jakindt]

Hi -
I am 39 year old female that has been suffering with chronic pain for at least 8 years. My first noticable symptoms started about 8 years ago after the birth of my first child. I suffered what was thought to be an injury during child birth that left my right shoulder and partially left shoulder with severe nerve damage causing muscle atrophy and severe pain that lasted several months. The severe nerve pain went away after several months but the muscle weakness did not and I have never regained strength in either of my shoulders. I can only hold my arms up for a couple seconds before the weakness pulls my arm down. I was referred to an osteopathic surgeon and he diagnosed me with nerve entrapment, which is really only common in athletes who do repetitive motions with their arms such as volleyball players, baseball pitchers, rarely seen in others. And this is usually only seen unilaterally not in both shoulders. I went with this diagnosis and had surgery and now 7 years later it is no better.

On top of this symptom I've been severely fatigued and suffer from muscle soreness everywhere and joint pain on a daily basis. I can't muster up the energy to do much that requires any physical activity. I wake up sore no matter how good of a nights sleep I've gotten. I was starting to think perhaps I had fibromyalgia and perhaps I do but the more I read about MS I'm wondering if this is a possibility. I obviously don't know what to ask my primary care physician as she hasn't done anything other than refer me to osteopathic doctors.

Can someone tell me if these symptoms seem right for an MS diagnosis? I will push more from my primary doc to be referred to the appropriate specialist, I'm not even sure what specialist diagnosis people with MS.

Thank you in advance.
JenK

[lyndacarol]

I am 39 year old female that has been suffering with chronic pain for at least 8 years. My first noticable symptoms started about 8 years ago after the birth of my first child. I suffered what was thought to be an injury during child birth that left my right shoulder and partially left shoulder with severe nerve damage causing muscle atrophy and severe pain that lasted several months. The severe nerve pain went away after several months but the muscle weakness did not and I have never regained strength in either of my shoulders. I can only hold my arms up for a couple seconds before the weakness pulls my arm down. I was referred to an osteopathic surgeon and he diagnosed me with nerve entrapment, which is really only common in athletes who do repetitive motions with their arms such as volleyball players, baseball pitchers, rarely seen in others. And this is usually only seen unilaterally not in both shoulders. I went with this diagnosis and had surgery and now 7 years later it is no better.

On top of this symptom I've been severely fatigued and suffer from muscle soreness everywhere and joint pain on a daily basis. I can't muster up the energy to do much that requires any physical activity. I wake up sore no matter how good of a nights sleep I've gotten. I was starting to think perhaps I had fibromyalgia and perhaps I do but the more I read about MS I'm wondering if this is a possibility. I obviously don't know what to ask my primary care physician as she hasn't done anything other than refer me to osteopathic doctors.

Can someone tell me if these symptoms seem right for an MS diagnosis? I will push more from my primary doc to be referred to the appropriate specialist, I'm not even sure what specialist diagnosis people with MS.

Thank you in advance.
JenK

Welcome to ThisIsMS, JenK.

After reading about MS, you must realize that the symptoms of MS are found in many other conditions as well. These other conditions must be ruled out before the MS diagnosis can be made. This requires much time and testing.

It is a good idea to request your own copy of any test results. If not already completed, I suggest that you request your doctor start with the 4 tests needed to rule out a B12 deficiency: 1) a serum B12 test, 2) RBC (red blood cell) folate test, 3) a serum homocysteine test, and 4) methylmalonic acid test?

By the way, pregnancy/breast-feeding put a great demand on a woman's B12 stores.

Another possible cause of your symptoms is vitamin D deficiency. Have you had a vitamin D blood test (25-hydroxyvitamin D)?

Your lack of energy may be due to a thyroid problem – has this possibility been investigated? Vitamin D3 is crucial for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. D3 deficiency symptoms can involve the function of the thyroid gland.

Neurological symptoms can stem from vitamin D3 deficiency, since D3 helps control relaxation of muscles (skeletal and involuntary muscles) – this would include constriction of blood vessels and possibly your muscle and joint pain.

I have no medical background, but, as you say, MS is a possibility. I suggest you compose a written list of your symptoms and discuss it with your primary care physician – ask her to start with the simple tests for vitamin B12 and vitamin D. (If she does not feel comfortable in this area, she could refer you to a hematologist.… And then on to other possibilities: magnesium deficiency, thyroid problems, liver problems, kidney problems, Lyme disease, celiac disease,…

[Scott1]

Hi,

With all you have on your plate you could just be tired but a neurologist can conduct proper tests.

If it is fibromyalgia then you could try 300mg Coenzyme Q10 and 2000 mg of acetyl-l-carnitine. Buy good quality brands not just the cheapest and see what happens.

It is a pity your shoulders have been operated on. Unless you are hyperflexible it seems rather brutal.

I would try to get your shoulders hydrodilated like this - http://www.melbourneradiology.com.au/sp ... ation.html . I am assuming it is difficult to raise your arms above your shoulders.

If you have a shoulder where the joint doesn't move properly then the rotator cuff will become weaker and the related muscles will become stiff and weak.

Even if you can't get the hydrodilation find someone who will massage you like this and go very regularly. -

In addition, I suggest you find a good pilates studio and ask them if they can mobilise your scapula and upper thoracic. They will probably need to give you a complete overhaul so be prepared to make this a lifestyle choice. Do not go to a large mat class and think that's Pilates. You need small class studio work which is more akin to personal training.

In the meantime ask to be properly checked for MS but I'm not sure that's your problem.

Regards,