HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest Treatment For Dry Eye And Skin When Diagnosed With Fibromyalgia

default
Posted on Thu, 13 Aug 2015
Question: My daughter was diagnosed with fibromyalsia 6 years ago. Since then, every new pain she has just gets dismissed as more fibro symptoms. They keep getting worse. Just this year she came to me with dry scaly skin on her face - she went to a dermatologist and got a steroid cream. Then she went to the eye doctor for her dry eyes, she got drops and said she might need surgery if she can't make more tears. Then her hair started getting brittle and falling out, we cut her hair and stopped the harsh hair coloring. 2 weeks ago her legs started swelling, she's been gaining weight with no real change in the diet... including a good 8 lbs in just 2 weeks. We went to the ER when she couldn't stand the pain in her abdomen and breasts along with the swelling. The sent her home with "chronic pain" diagnosis. Your WHOLE body should not hurt with fibromyalsia. Her feet are a new pain and her head feels like it's in a vice, it hasn't stopped hurting and at one time she started screaming for us to just shoot her, she was on fire from the inside out... every inch of her body hurts and no one seems to care. I hope someone can help. I refuse to think that someone who is 29 has to live in pain like that.

Other symptoms she's mentioned are shortness of breath, the feeling that there is something stuck in her throat. She's tired all the time and understandably irritable . there is no fever and all blood work comes back "normal". Thyroid hormone is 3.5
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Fibromyalgia is by definition nothing wrong.

Detailed Answer:
Your WHOLE body should not hurt with fibromyalsia.... actuallly.....
http://www.yyyyyy.com/Fibromyalgia/pain-questionnaire
http://www.yyyyy.co/your-health/yyyy

Most say it is all over.
BUT the dry eyes is an objective abnormality and as such is not reasonable for fibromyalgia in which everything is normal. SJORGREN's a COMMON AUTOIMMUNE disorder causes dry eyes. Various medications can also. Tear formation can be objectively measured and there are tests for SJORGREN's and treatments.

Other autoimmune disorders that are more rare are Sarcoid and Scleroderma. Each have many overlapping symptoms. In each there are objective 'bumps' that form if you look hard enough (nodes and scar is sarcoid. scar in scleroderma...about 100% of the time in the throat, impinging on swallowing). Find the abnormality and see it or biopsy it and you know what condition it is.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (2 hours later)
I was hoping by explaining all the symptoms I might get some advice on what would be the best doctor to see. After a 6 yr diagnosis we have read all the propoganda from the drug companies. none of those ssri drugs worked.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
simple .. RHEUMATOLOGIST

Detailed Answer:
Sarcoid, Sjorgren's, Scleroderma are treated specifically by a rheumatologist. Fibromyalgia is often treated by them and they would have a very good second opinion at how likely it is to be that.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (8 hours later)
Is there any way to get more opinions from other doctors or do I have to close this and start over? So far everything here is less than what I found doing my own research. I guess I was expecting a "Dr. House" to figure out what's wrong with my daughter. The first Rheumatologist we went to was the one who kept throwing SSRI's at her. I think we tried 3, Savella, Lyrica and generic gabapenten. She felt like a Zombie in pain. She's basically managed with diet and a strong spiritual faith; however, I have NEVER seen her in this much pain and we refuse to give in to "pain management". There is something very real that is causing this. I don't think your legs and body swell with Fibro either. This just seems to be the answer we get because no one wants to take the time to listen to ALL her symptoms. Unfortunately Obamacare fixed nothing and made the healthcare industry nothing more than a corporation feeding people through with only 5-10 minutes allowed with each patient.
I'm beginning to think you're on the right track with the sarcoid... that was actually a good call. Some of the other tests my daughter had that were tossed aside WERE nodules on the lungs and ovaries. We will look into a different Rheumatologist and would appreciate any other insight you may have... as you can imagine, we are rather frustrated at this point. Thanks!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
depends on nodules

Detailed Answer:
I don't know how common nodules on ovary are. Certainly cysts (which are not nodules) are common but nodules... not sure I've seen those in normals.
THe lung nodules are extremely common to the point where depending on the definition literally we've all had them (as lymph nodes in the context of mild viral illness) those are in the areas of lymph nodes, the size, shape of nodules and last only weeks like other nodules. .. Big, staying, and out from the center of the lung... yeah... I'd be thinking sarcoid too. and .. really abnormal ones really would have expected it to be checked.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (48 hours later)
I have a new symptom to add to the rest.... We just found big white "bumps" just under her lower 1st bicuspids. She could feel the bumps from outside on her cheek. She also has swollen nodes at the base of her neck and in front of her ear and in front under her chin. Still think rheumlatologist?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
bumps on the gum

Detailed Answer:
are either very obviously infection... or they are going to need biopsy. Rheumatologists do biopsies. Dentists don't. If signs of inflammation/infection it would be easy ...morel ikely going to need biopsy.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest Treatment For Dry Eye And Skin When Diagnosed With Fibromyalgia

Brief Answer: Fibromyalgia is by definition nothing wrong. Detailed Answer: Your WHOLE body should not hurt with fibromyalsia.... actuallly..... http://www.yyyyyy.com/Fibromyalgia/pain-questionnaire http://www.yyyyy.co/your-health/yyyy Most say it is all over. BUT the dry eyes is an objective abnormality and as such is not reasonable for fibromyalgia in which everything is normal. SJORGREN's a COMMON AUTOIMMUNE disorder causes dry eyes. Various medications can also. Tear formation can be objectively measured and there are tests for SJORGREN's and treatments. Other autoimmune disorders that are more rare are Sarcoid and Scleroderma. Each have many overlapping symptoms. In each there are objective 'bumps' that form if you look hard enough (nodes and scar is sarcoid. scar in scleroderma...about 100% of the time in the throat, impinging on swallowing). Find the abnormality and see it or biopsy it and you know what condition it is.