instead of, or as well as, Fibromyalgia from some doctors (the full
paper contained more symptoms - see below). Tom]
Free full text:
http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/pdf/1752-1947-6-55.pdf
Mitochondrial myopathy presenting as fibromyalgia: a case report.
J Med Case Reports. 2012 Feb 10;6(1):55. [Epub ahead of print]
Abdullah M, Vishwanath S, Elbalkhi A, Ambrus JL Jr.
Published: 10 February 2012
Abstract (provisional)*
Introduction
To the best of our knowledge, we describe for the first time the case
of a woman who met the diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia, did not
respond to therapy for that disorder, and was subsequently diagnosed
by biochemical and genetic studies with a mitochondrial myopathy.
Treatment of the mitochondrial myopathy resulted in resolution of symptoms.
This case demonstrates that mitochondrial myopathy may present in an
adult with a symptom complex consistent with fibromyalgia.
Case presentation
Our patient was a 41-year-old Caucasian woman with symptoms of
fatigue, exercise intolerance, headache, and multiple trigger points.
Treatment for fibromyalgia with a wide spectrum of medications
including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants,
gabapentin and pregabalin had no impact on her symptoms.
A six-minute walk study demonstrated an elevated lactic acid level
(5mmol/L; normal <2mmol/L).
Biochemical and genetic studies from a muscle biopsy revealed a
mitochondrial myopathy.
Our patient was started on a compound of coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone)
200mg, creatine 1000mg, carnitine 200mg and folic acid 1mg to be taken
four times a day.
She gradually showed significant improvement in her symptoms over a
course of several months.
Conclusions
This case demonstrates that adults diagnosed with fibromyalgia may
have their symptom complex related to an adult onset mitochondrial
myopathy.
This is an important finding since treatment of mitochondrial myopathy
resulted in resolution of symptoms.
----
*I've given each sentence its own paragraph
----
Abstract:
Our patient was a 41-year-old Caucasian woman with symptoms of
fatigue, exercise intolerance, headache, and multiple trigger points.
-----
Case presentation
Our patient was a 41-year-old Caucasian woman who presented to our Rheumato=
logy
clinic for evaluation of progressive exercise intolerance, fatigue,
diffuse myalgias,
arthralgias and difficulty sleeping. The pain primarily involved her
entire back and arms,
and she reported multiple tender points all over her body. On the basis of =
her
symptoms, our patient had also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and
was treated with
multiple different medications without any relief.
Her other medical history included hypothyroidism, cervical disc
disease, hypertension
and Raynaud=E2=80=99s disease. Notable family history included breast carci=
noma and
hypertension in her mother, and lymphoma in her father. Her medications at
presentation included lisinopril 5mg daily and levothyroxine 25=CE=BCg
daily. Other pertinent
medications she had previously used included pregabalin, amitriptyline
and gabapentin.
Her physical examination results were normal except for mild
tenderness to palpation
along her upper and lower back, and shoulders.
----
Patient=E2=80=99s perspective
I am pleased to contribute to this article as to help others with a
similar problem. I am
truly grateful to Dr Julian Ambrus Jr and to those who referred me to
his expert care.
I am a 44-year-old woman with mitochondrial myopathy confirmed by
blood tests and
muscle biopsy. This disease grew worse as I aged and was exacerbated
by pregnancy
and other stressors. Certain medications really made me feel ill
(which I now know to be
mitochondrial killers). My main symptoms included muscle and joint
pain, weakness,
fatigue, muscle twitching, pain, headaches, and visual disturbances.
I have been to several doctors and have had several tests to rule out
certain diseases.
This process was slow and frustrating knowing I was sick and not having a c=
lear
answer. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, but there were other
symptoms as well. My
feet, hands and legs were weak to where I fell several times down
stairs and in my
home. I was too weak to hold dishes and to wash them. Simple daily chores p=
roved
difficult, and at times I could not get out of bed or a chair without
help. The fibromyalgia
medicines did not help. As my symptoms waxed and waned, time and rest
helped a bit.
I was concerned that in time I would get progressively worse.
---------------------------------------------
Send posts to CO-CURE@listserv.nodak.edu
Unsubscribe at http://www.co-cure.org/unsub.htm
Select list topic options at http://www.co-cure.org/topics.htm
---------------------------------------------
Co-Cure's purpose is to provide information from across the spectrum of
opinion concerning medical, research and political aspects of ME/CFS and/or
FMS. We take no position on the validity of any specific scientific or
political opinion expressed in Co-Cure posts, and we urge readers to
research the various opinions available before assuming any one
interpretation is definitive. The Co-Cure website <www.co-cure.org> has a
link to our complete archive of posts as well as articles of central
importance to the issues of our community.
---------------------------------------------
