Change in Pain Tolerance

[Carebear]

Has anyone noticed that they experience much more pain than they used to when, for example, they bang their "funny bone"? 

I ask because I just hit my elbow, and I was in excruciating pain for over ten minutes.  I thought I was going to black out!  The same thing happens now whenever I fall down or bump a body part.

I used to be a real tough broad, but I've noticed a change in what I am calling pain tolerance for the last few years.  Is this an age thing?  Or could it be that I have some kind of nerve involvement thanks to Sjogren's.

My original symptoms included pins & needles and vibrations in my leg and arm.  But my neurologist tells me I have no neuropathy.

[Shani]

Hi sweet Carebear!

It definitely is not an aging thing, I have this too and am still young.
If I hit my finger like I did earlier accidentally, it hurts so much.
And it's actually a bit bruised now/red mark or spot on it.

I also bruise very easily and it hurts a lot, even if I only hit something not very hard accidentally.
Sjogren surely does like to keep us entertained, discovering new freaky things daily!

I have pins and needles aswell, which they think is caused by the Plaquenil.
My Emg was normal tho.
But I have been diagnosed with 'Polyneuropathy' (when Gp read Neurologist her paper to him, it said that)
It could be a temporalily thing which I'll have to ask Rheumy about next friday as I need to call him.
But maybe it's a permanent thing, always possible the Sjogren/Lupus has caused this.

Take good care of yourself.

[inga]

Small fiber neuropathy can ONLY be ruled out by an Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber Density Test which is a biopsy of skin.  EMG is normal in small fiber neuropathy.  I have the same symptom you do, but it is my feet.  If I do as much as step on a pebble or small thing it is intensely painful.  If I rest my foot on the base of a desk chair, I can feel the form of it in my foot for 15 minutes after.

[gphx]

Inga, I have the same thing from the footrest of a wheelchair I use as my computer chair. Carebear, bumps get exaggerated into bigger pains or electrocution but even little things blow up. We have trains that pass close by regularly and the vibration often sets off muscle spasms. New rheumy is sending me to another neurologist. This time I'll be happy to let them take a piece of me to see if they can find sfn since emgs were neg. Good luck in your own search for answers.

[Joe S.]

I have bruises that seem to just appear. I have to think for some time before I figure out where they came from. Other people will often complain about seeing blood run down and drip off before I notice the cut or scrape. That is how it has changed for me.

Then I have the doctor tell me that I am just more sensitive pain. I can put 1.5 inch pins into my body with out feeling them. So yea, I must be over sensitive to pain. Right. STUPID DOCTOR! Sorry just had to rant on this one.

[Carebear]

Joe, I think many of us have seen that same stupid doctor!

Inga,  you are correct about the small fiber neuropathy. My neurologist only conducted an EMG which as you said, was normal.  I plan to follow up with her some time in the future to discuss a skin biopsy.  I am all doctored out right now.  I just need a couple of months for me.

gphx,  good luck in your quest as well.  Please let us know how your neurologist appointment goes.

Shani,  you are too cute!  How was your Polyneuropathy diagnosed?