[46F] With joint aches, fatigue, and fibromyalgia flare

What might be happening

Based on the symptoms and history you've provided, here are some possible explanations for your condition:

Joint Aches and Weakness

1. Post-Traumatic Pain and Weakness: Given your recent fall, it's possible that the pain and weakness in your ankle and knee are related to an injury that didn't manifest immediately. Sometimes, soft tissue injuries or minor fractures can cause delayed symptoms.
2. Fibromyalgia Flare-Up: Your history of fibromyalgia could be contributing to the increased pain and fatigue. Fibromyalgia can cause widespread pain and fatigue, and stress or physical trauma can trigger flare-ups.
3. Arthritis: Given your family history of arthritis, it's possible that the joint pain and weakness are related to an arthritic condition, which can be exacerbated by physical activity or injury.

Fatigue

1. Fibromyalgia: Chronic fatigue is a common symptom of fibromyalgia, and flare-ups can make it more pronounced.
2. Medication Side Effects: Some of your medications, such as Gabapentin and Cymbalta, can cause fatigue as a side effect.
3. Systemic Illness: The presence of fever, chills, weight loss, and night sweats could indicate an underlying systemic illness, such as an infection or an autoimmune condition.

Unifying Diagnoses

1. Systemic Inflammatory Response: The combination of joint pain, fatigue, fever, chills, weight loss, and night sweats could suggest a systemic inflammatory response, possibly due to an infection or an autoimmune condition.
2. Fibromyalgia and Post-Traumatic Stress: The recent fall could have triggered a fibromyalgia flare-up, exacerbating your symptoms of pain and fatigue.

What you can do

Joint Aches and Weakness

• Rest and Elevate: Rest your affected joints and elevate them to reduce any potential swelling.
• Ice and Heat: Apply ice packs to the painful areas for 15-20 minutes several times a day to reduce pain and inflammation. You can also use heat packs to relax the muscles.
• Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Use over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) to manage pain, but avoid ibuprofen due to your vasovagal syncope.
• Physical Therapy: Consider seeing a physical therapist for exercises to strengthen the muscles around your joints and improve mobility.

Fatigue

• Pace Yourself: Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps and take frequent breaks to avoid overexertion.
• Sleep Hygiene: Maintain a regular sleep schedule and create a restful environment to improve sleep quality.
• Balanced Diet: Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to support your overall health and energy levels.

General Health

• Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of your symptoms using the MDandMe journal to identify patterns and triggers. This can help your healthcare provider make a more accurate diagnosis.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially if you're experiencing nausea and vomiting.
• Seek Medical Attention: Given the severity of your symptoms and the potential for a systemic illness, it's important to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible for a thorough evaluation and appropriate testing.

What you should look out for

Given the complexity and severity of your symptoms, you should seek medical care as soon as possible. Reasons to seek care even more urgently include:

• Severe or worsening pain: If the pain in your joints becomes unbearable or significantly worsens.
• New or worsening symptoms: If you develop new symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe abdominal pain.
• Signs of infection: If you notice signs of infection such as increased redness, warmth, or swelling in your joints, or if you develop a high fever.
• Neurological symptoms: If you experience any numbness, tingling, or weakness in other parts of your body.

Remember, while I can provide information and suggestions, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for a formal diagnosis and treatment plan. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to continue the conversation.