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- Written By: Tricia Ellis-Christensen
- Edited By: O. Wallace
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2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Myalgia translates to muscle pain. It if fair to say that most people experience one or two cases of myalgia, at least, in a lifetime. Most often myalgia is caused by straining or overuse of a muscle. It can occur in any muscle group, at any time of life. Myalgia that is not caused by muscle strain can be present in a large number of infectious diseases, anything from the common influenza to illnesses like Lyme disease. Some autoimmune diseases like lupus and fibromyalgia can cause significant muscle pain.
Myalgia may be mild, or it can be severe if one has damaged a muscle. When myalgia that does not seem related to an illness is present for more than three days, one should see a physician. This is particularly important if one notices redness or swelling around the painful area, or if one has recently come into contact with a tick. If one has received a tick bite, it is very important to have the tick tested to rule out Lyme Disease. This can cause progressive damage to the body, but at onset can be easily treated with antibiotics. As well, any myalgia accompanied by fever for more than two days warrants consulting a physician.
Myalgia that involves extreme soreness and inhibition of movement in the neck, accompanied by fever, can be very serious. If one cannot touch the chin to the chest, this may indicate myalgia caused by meningitis. This condition needs immediate medical attention. Parents, who have children complaining of neck pain and fever, should direct their children to try the chin to chest stretch before calling the doctor, but even if the child can perform this, a pediatrician should still be contacted.
Myalgia from overuse of a muscle is usual treated with alternating hot and cold packs on the muscle affected. Massage may also be of benefit. Treatment may also include taking ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen. Ibuprofen, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are preferred because they may reduce swelling. However, pain from myalgia is the body’s way of communicating that rest of the muscle is needed. If the medication completely resolves pain it is possible to experience yet more myalgia by continuing to use the affected muscle or muscles.
Regular gentle exercise can be helpful to those who suffer from myalgia due to inactive lifestyles. As well, stretching before strenuous exercise can help reduce risk of myalgia. It is normal when beginning an exercise regimen to feel some myalgia after exercising. Muscles that have not been used frequently will be sore at first. If the pain is extreme, this may mean injury to a muscle.
Those who have myalgia as a result of autoimmune diseases may find some reduction in pain with gentle stretching exercises. Many with lupus and fibromyalgia find that especially Hatha yoga, also called gentle yoga, can help reduce muscle pain. For those who have movement difficulties, another helpful exercise regime is chair yoga, which eliminates standing poses.
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anon213782
Post 18 |
In August, I was hospitalized with what doctor thought was a TIA (mini stroke) I temporary lost mobility of my right leg and muscle weakness of right arm. My Ana came back positive four times for lupus, yet they say is not lupus, after several more test, cat scan, mri and spinal tap, all the autoimmune all came back negative, still no diagnoses. I'm currently doing therapy three times a week, and although I'm currently walking I get tired easily, where I need a cane for support. I can't lift my right leg to do any kind of exercise and my left is also feeling heavy, just not as heavy. I was just prescribed gabapentin 300 mg, last night I felt like my mind and heart were raising, haven't slept in 24 hours. I'm frustrated beyond words. My neurologist is great, but still no answer. Please help. |
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anon174686
Post 17 |
Like poster #16, I'm in the same predicament. I seem to get injured very very easily. Muscle strains all over my body. I started doing yoga. It didn't help. It made some of it worse in fact. We need a place to compare notes. I know that I've taken lots of cold medicine like Sudafed my whole life and I wonder if that has made my muscles very stiff and brittle. I think some of these medicines on the shelves are doing damage to us and we aren't getting the whole story from the manufacturers. |
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anon138258
Post 16 |
i have been hurting all over my body, including my back, legs, shoulders, neck and arms. It's been going on for years. I talk to my doctor about these problems and they just look at me like I'm nuts or something so i just hold it in and let it go but now it's getting worse. The pain is keeping me up at night and making me cry and I have made er visits and they can't find out anything, but one doctor suggested that it could be myalgia and another person told me that the doctors here don't know what they re looking for because she has fibromyalgia and it took them years to detect it. Is it possible that he made a mistake and this has been going on for over three years? |
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anon135046
Post 15 |
My friend has been diagnosed with hepatatis B positive. He is about 26 years old. Is there a cure for this or is he going to continue with this sickness life long. What are the implications in life with this sickness? Will be able to get married and have children. If he gets married, will this sickness be transferred to his wife and children? How about close contact with him? Is it dangerous? Please clarify. |
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anon125913
Post 14 |
My husband took Lovastatin 1 year ago and is still in agony and pain in his muscles. He has tried CoQ10 and just started taking L Carnatine. Nothing has really helped. This is with a normal Ck level. We are asking for a muscle biopsy. sorry we still haven't found anything to help with the pain except for a slow release morphine but even that only makes you sleep. |
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anon103533
Post 13 |
No 10: Get your CPK level tested as well as your serum myoglobin. You likely have rhabdomylosis which is the destruction of you muscle cells and can lead to kidney failure. My husband has been going through this all summer. |
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anon98184
Post 12 |
I had the most excruciating pain for three weeks. A five- second trip to the bathroom would take five minutes and leave me in tears; the pain was just profound. I was 34 at the time and a well toned fit man. Turned out simple dicoflenic did it for me. Funny really, that a simple drug stopped it. |
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anon73957
Post 11 |
I have been diagnosed by one Dermatologist with HSV1 Stomatitis ans was treated with Valtrex Acyclovir for seven days. After a few days i saw another doctor to get a second opinion, and this time I was diagnosed with aphthous ulcers and given Nexium and Maalox for five days. the ulcers seemed to disappear with this medication. At my visit to the original doctor, I told him about this and his response that it was indeed stomatitis and that it was herpetic. When he examined my mouth he said that the ulcers were gone, and to report to him within 24-48 hours if there is a repeated episode. After about one week these ulcers started appearing again but not as bad as the original ones. i have been reading everything and trying hard to boost my immune system. Do you have any advice. i also have a dental issue and will see the dentist tonight. |
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anon73280
Post 10 |
I have been and am still taking simvastatin for about 16 months for cholesterol. For the last 12 months, I have very weak leg muscles and left hand shakes and extreme weakness, usually after being idle for a while. It scares me, but my doctor doesn't seem to be concerned. I have some pain and discomfort but not severe. This prevents me for walking too far away from my home at any time. Is there another drug that doesn't have these side effects for cholesterol? |
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anon51790
Post 9 |
I have severe pain in both my thighs about once every month. When I get them, I can't move and I'm in a lot of pain. I have had them ever since I was little. My dad said he got them when he was young and that it was just growing pains. I am not growing anymore and I still get them. Is it some sort of myalgia? |
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anon50299
Post 8 |
I recently suffered a painful bout of pleurisy and now have been told i have myalgiaa. Nothing seems to be giving any relief. what can i do? (i'm 20.) |
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anon44234
Post 6 |
i have got pain in my tongue along with inflammation for the past year and a half, and it has not been diagnosed yet. some doctors say it is neuralgia, some say it is styloid process and now one doctor has suggested it is myalgia. i have been operated once for styloid process but have had no results from it. as you can well imagine my situation as to what kind of dilemma i am in as my problem is not been diagnosed yet. i am very upset. kindly suggest me what to do and where to go. waiting for answers. thank you. Tanya Sharma |
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engelam
Post 5 |
I had a mastectomy(left side) about a year and a half ago as a result of Gr3 -Her2-neu breast cancer. I have had 6 doses of andromycin and 6 doses of taxotere as well as 35 radiation sessions I have been experiencing excruciating pains in my left elbow and shoulder with numbness in my hand. My elbow is worst and very tender to the touch. I cannot pick up anything without pain with my left arm. Also when I sit in a certain position I experience bone pain in my pelvic bone. I am on Herceptin at the moment. Could u please advise on these symptoms? |
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anon32540
Post 4 |
Can lipitor and an antibiotic cause myalgia? |
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anon26682
Post 3 |
I have suffered for 11 years with pain that no doctor could diagnose. I took ibuprofin for 10 years and changed the way I lived my life to cope with the daily pain. Two years ago I learned about fibromyalgia and asked my doctor to examine me; and he agreed that I did have it and told me to take tylenol and 2 antidepressants, one was to help me get better sleep. The tylenol didn't work so I went back to Ibuprofin. The antidepressant to help me sleep didn't change the way I felt every morning. Starting the day racked with pain is very difficult. My relief came in alternative vitamins and supplements. After taking a supplement called Myalgia-X for 2 days I woke up with no pain. This product contains malic acid, and magnesium as well as boswella and bromalain I have since started taking 5-htp to get better sleep and MSM, Gluslosamine and condriotin to help with the daytime aches and pains. I say take charge of your pain and try some of these products I do not take any Ibuprofin or prescription meds and I feel 90% better Linda Vandevyvere |
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PatsyAnn
Post 2 |
I had a lumpectomy over 2 months ago and woke from the anesthesia in excruciating pain. So much so that I was given 4 different narcotics to give me relief. I have had extreme muscle and joint pain ever since that day, having to take the maximum amount of Tylenol to get any relief. Stronger drugs tear up my stomach, either diarrhea, constipation, or nausea or all of the above. Is there anything known about myalgia after anesthesia, like the speed with which you are woken up, or the drugs used to bring one back. And more importantly what can be done to counteract this pain. Thank you for any advice or direction. |
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yodatasha
Post 1 |
I want to know what causes myalgia encephalitica because I have a six year old son who is suffering from this disease. He normally have pains in both thighs and would have to be carried when he start having the pains. I really want to know about all these |
