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Undiagnosed Symptoms  (Expert Forum)
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Could I have MS, Chiari 1 Malformation, Hypothyroidism? What is making me vibrate?
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D. Boston - MA
Questions in the Undiagnosed Symptoms forum are answered by Dr. Kevin Pho. Topics covered include breathing difficulties, feeling cold, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, fever, indigestion, itching, nausea, numbness, pain (chronic), paralysis, rash, sweating, swelling, urination problems, and vomiting.
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MedHelp Member's Question

Could I have MS, Chiari 1 Malformation, Hypothyroidism? What is making me vibrate?

by jenn38018, May 10, 2007 12:00AM
I have a long history of things I could go into, but don't have the length to do it.  Basically I was originally diagnosed with RA but now have diagnosis of fibromyalgia.  Not totally satisfied with that diagnosis.  As far as labs, my rh factor is highly elevated, ANA positive, lupus titer slightly positive, sed rate elevated, metabolic panel normal, TSH levels normal, magnesium normal, etc.  I have recently been having a lot more symptoms and severity in the ones I already had.  Some of these come and go and some stick around.  Here they are:joint pain, muscle pain and weakness, skin tender to the touch in many areas, horrible fatigue (feels like I am drugged), neuropathy and tingling in extremities, eye problems, sensitivity to heat and cold (hands and feet tingling and feel as if swelling in heat), clumsy, forgetful, tip-of-tongue problem, horrible neck pain, bad pressure headaches, difficulty losing weight, restless legs, itchy feeling all over body, insomnia, low sex drive, etc.  Now I have started having these episodes of waking up feeling like I am vibrating from deep inside my body and I can't make it stop.  It is a strong, fast, rhythmic feeling that builds up and makes it feel like my whole body is shaking.  Done it twice in one week.  I also keep getting these sudden tingling feeling wash over me along with a feeling of doom and an urge to cry for no reason.  It will quickly pass and doesn't seem to be triggered by anything.  I am not depressed, but all I want to do is lie in bed because I feel so bad.  What could be causing all of this.  Can't just be fibro?
Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD, May 10, 2007 12:00AM
Fibromyalgia is certainly a frustrating diagnosis, and can cause the symptoms you describe.  An elevated ANA and rheumatoid factor also invites possibilities like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.  A second rheumatological opinion can be sought to examine these considerations.

If there are neurological symptoms, like memory loss, 'tip-of-tongue' phenomenon, headaches and restless legs, you can consider brain imaging to rule out possible neurological disease.  A CT or MRI would be reasonable options.  Blood tests to rule out diabetes and B12 deficiency can be considered as well.

I would consider these options and discuss them with your personal physician.

Followup with your physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Member Comments (15)

by jenn38018, May 10, 2007 12:00AM
To: md
I didn't mention also that I have in the past week been getting these horrible headaches that are associated with a lot of neck pain.  Also, everytime I turn my head any direction my neck grinds and pops.  At times it seems even too hard to hold my head up on my own, so I just have to lie down propped up on pillows.  This all started with the vibrating episodes.

by PlateletGal, May 10, 2007 12:00AM
To: jenn38018

I think I know and understand your frustration. I was diagnosed with CFS and I also have a postive ANA titer (1:640) I've had so many of the symptoms you've listed and the majority of them the last few years, when my illness was becoming more disabling.  I can only tell you that many fibro patients' often have CFS symptoms and vice versa. You may want to use a search engine and find the CFIDS Association of America and especially if you have 4 of the 8 symptoms listed below:


Weakness and exhaustion, lasting more than 24 hours, following mental or physical activity
Unrefreshing sleep
Substantial impairment of short-term memory or concentration
Muscle pain
Pain in the joints, without swelling or redness
Headaches of a new type, pattern or severity
Tender armpit and/or neck lymph nodes
Sore throat

by jenn38018, May 13, 2007 12:00AM
To: PlateletGal
Thank you for your posting!  I have every single symptom you listed plus some.  I have often wondered about CFS, but the idea was always shot down because of the fibromyalgia.  I saw my rheumatologist on Friday and expressed my concerns and talked about my new symptoms.  I told him my biggest fear was that we were going to keep attributing everything to fibro and miss some underlying issue that could be treated in the process.  He agreed, and has scheduled a myriad of tests to be performed on me.  I am also being referred to a neurologist, psychiatrist who has a special interest in fibro patients and the neurotransmitters involved, and an internist who also has a special interest in fibro patients and their pain control.  I am also set up to wear a halter monitor starting on Thursday to see if we can catch one of the vibrating episodes and tell if it is effecting my heart at the time.  

I had a horrible episode of restless body (yes body, not just legs) last night like I have never had before.  Didn't get to actually fall asleep until about 8am after trying since 12am.  I just can't function like this anymore.  Are you on any kind of meds for your CFS?  Are they helping?

by PlateletGal, May 14, 2007 12:00AM
To: jenn38018

Hi Jenn,

I'm on a research protocol that you can find online. The name of the protocol is "The Marshall Protocol" and although it is a research protocol, the medications they use are NOT research meds. btw, my nic is the same on their website and you can send private messages. It is a complicated protocol that can take 1-3 years, but there are many success stories. Dr. Marshall saved his own life with this protocol after he was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. Unfortunately you know the protocol is working because it makes you feel worse, because it is killing the pathogens in your body that are making you so ill. So the die-off reaction can be pretty intolerable at times.

Dr. Paul Cheney has a lot information online about CFS and heart problems and he also has his treatment plan (mostly nutritional) for CFS that you can find. I know I take ACETYL L-Carnitine for my tachycardia and that helps. I also take D-Ribose (studies have shown that it helps both fibro & CFS patients), magnesium, B12 (drops) and COQ10. I would be taking more supplements, but the MP prefers that their members' aren't taking anything at all. Fish oils are also good and help with inflammation.

We have a fibro board here on this website and I check it often --- so you always know where to find me.

Hang in there and I pray that they can get your symptoms under control.



by jenn38018, May 15, 2007 12:00AM
To: PlateletGal
Thank you, I will definitely look it up.  I have a question about the tachycardia.  Have you always had trouble with your heart racing, or do you just notice it when the CFS is flared up?  Have you ever had symptoms like you were having a heart attack.  Is your heart sensitive to medications, caffeine, etc?  Do you think the vibrating feeling could be atrial fibrilation?  Sorry for all of the questions, but I am being put on the monitor Thursday, and I am really curious to see if this vibrating sensation is because of that.  I have also had symptoms of heart attacks in the past that sent me to the ER, just to find out my ECG was normal.  I also get the sensation of my heart racing a lot, and being very aware of my heart