I have been to my GP however they claim my fatigue is due to my muscle pain. This has been going on for a year and I would like some suggestions. Thanks 
Chosen Answer:
hello. i would see a different GP as you aren’t getting anywhere with this one. have you had any blood tests done? you may be deficient in iron, vitamin B12, potassium or vitamin D there is also a blood test to check for muscle damage. if you are no further ahead then ask for a referral to a rheumatologist.
you may have disc or joint problems in your vertebrae or you may have chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. there are many possible reasons for your symptoms and they need exploring. if you get no where with a rheumatology don’t give up and ask to see a neurologist as well.
the stiff and painful muscles and back pain may be because of nerve trouble. a neurologist can order a nerve conduction test and also an MRI of your spine. if there is still no answer then there is always the pain clinic for patients with chronic pain.
are you on pain relief? if not why not? i am on strong pain relief everyday including buprenorphine and morphine. my illness is still unnamed but is similar to MS. strong muscle spasms are very painful and i find the muscle relaxant tizanidine helps a lot. diazepam can be used but is obviously addictive. baclofen is another effective muscle relaxant that a GP can prescribe. amitriptyline is an antidepressant that helps with pain and sleep.
if you still end up no where ask your GP to refer you to Bath Royal National Hospital For Rheumatic Diseases. after a consultation they often invite patients back for a residential stay to diagnose and work out a treatment plan. when i was there there were patients all the way from scotland. it is a national hospital open to anyone for neuro rehabilitation, rheumatology, chronic pain and chronic fatigue syndrome/ME.
i know you’re tired and it’s been a year already but you need to find answers. keep a record of all your test results, get recommendations for who to see and which drugs to try, research possible conditions and treatments. if a treatment is approved by NICE you have the right to receive it. soon there won’t be an NHS so get x-rayed, scanned and prodded while you can.
if you honestly can’t work you need to find a specialist to support your claim for disability benefits. if you can work carry on as it’s the best thing for you mentally. if it gets tough maybe reduce your hours slightly. Disability Living Allowance is paid even if you work.
lastly if you have a camcorder do your own sleep study. if you are waking up often in the night because of your pain you have discovered the reason for your fatigue. i also recommend seeing an osteopath. best wishes, A x
by: Autumn
on: 19th October 12
While on high blood pressure medicine would it hurt to take a muscle relaxer?
My dad is currently on blood pressure medicine and cholesterol medicine. He recently pulled something in his back and can verily walk. Would it affect him if he was to take a muscle relaxer to relieve the pain. He wont go to the doctor for he dont want to miss work. Thanks for any suggestions and comment.
Chosen Answer:
Call your pharmacist and ask them the question, tell them what he is taking for the bp and cholesterol and ask if it would be ok to take the muscle relaxer, give them the name of it and if there would be any interactions.
In the mean time your dad can try either heat from a heating pad and if that doens’t help he could try an ice pack, 10 minutes on 10 minutes off, he should try the ice first to try to alleviate the swelling, heat would be to relax the muscles. But its one or the other, not both ok, depending on which one makes him feel better.
he will have to be rather stationary for awhile to give this time to heal up.
by: detta
on: 6th September 10