RSI diagnosis might actually be Fibromyalgia/M.E. inflammation?

[daveu]

Hi there,

I have had M.E. since 2009. In 2013, during a period of time when my M.E. symptoms were mild, I was working full-time here in the UK at a desk job in front of a computer. During a highly stressful period of time at work I developed intense pain in the forearms of both arms. After time off work and many GP visits I was diagnosed with RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) in both arms and recommended physio. I had to quit that job.

Through the NHS I was referred to a musculoskeletal specialist who had a ultrasound and nerve test carried out on my right forearm. When the results of those tests were inconclusive I was referred to a Orthopaedic Surgeon who got a MRI completed on my right forearm and he ultimately concluded based on the MRI report results that he could see "no reason to operate for decompression". I was discharged from the NHS with the recommendation I try and find a physiotherapist who specialised in RSI. The closest I have been able to find to this so far is a physiotherapist who is also a pain coach.

Since 2013 I have now seen and worked with a total of five different physiotherapists, and attended a NHS pain clinic. I still do stretching and strengthening exercises for my upper body and neck every morning and night as directed by my current physio.

Since joining this forum this year I have read about people having forearm pain and muscle inflammation pain and I am wondering if perhaps my RSI diagnosis was incorrect and perhaps the pain in both my forearms is due to fibromyalgia/M.E.? Or is perhaps a better way of putting it that I do have RSI but it is exacerbated and compounded by my M.E?

Thanks, I would appreciate any thoughts on this.

 

[adreno]

I think you are right. I started out with RSI and later developed ME. I think the RSI pain comes from the muscles being constantly overworked, due to low cellular energy.

 

[voner]

I think you are right. I started out with RSI and later developed ME. I think the RSI pain comes from the muscles being constantly overworked, due to low cellular energy.

me too.

@daveu, you might fall under the diagnosis umbrella of ME/CFS with fibromyalgia. your reasoning makes sense to me. feel free to personal message me if you want to talk about it.

 

[daveu]

I think you are right. I started out with RSI and later developed ME. I think the RSI pain comes from the muscles being constantly overworked, due to low cellular energy.

@adreno thanks for your reply, that's really interesting, so in a sense you are saying there may be some merit to my second hunch: I do have RSI but it is exacerbated and compounded by my M.E.

Do you still get RSI symptoms? What do you do for pain relief and to stretch/strengthen your arms? Have your RSI symptoms gotten better over time?

 

[daveu]

me too.

@daveu, you might fall under the diagnosis umbrella of ME/CFS with fibromyalgia. your reasoning makes sense to me. feel free to personal message me if you want to talk about it.

@voner Thanks for your reply. I will send you a personal message.