Leg and arm pains

Dear Ask The Doctor: I am 20 years old have horrible leg and arm pains, for 2 and half years. mostly get it in the morning with stiffness and at night (mainly) horrible shooting deep pains that last for a minute then goes back to the regular deep aches. Im always having to stretch them out, cant stay bent for to long. Activity seems to make them hurt more at night. I think its fibromyalgia cause i have tender spots in my upper thighs and fatigue and depression. I have looked up this condition for 2 years and thats what i think it is. Do you have any idea? My doctor said my blood work came back okay.

Dear Holly: Your symptoms do seem characteristic of fibromyalgia which typically causes chronic widespread pain with tender points . There is also some association of pyschiatric illness like depression with fibromyalgia. However it would also be important in your case to rule out rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases since you have morning stiffness. If this is indeed fibromyalgia there are 2 methods of treatment, one is conservative and lifestyle changes ie start an exercise program specifically aquatic exercises have shown to be usefull, while sleep support your back and neck, stress reduction and physiotherapy also may be usefull.There is also medciation like tricyclic antidepressants which can be used as well as antiinflamatory medications.