Dear Nader, you've had a very thorough medical work-up and the tests seem to rule out many of the worst physical causes. Which is good news, but it doesn't help because you still have the symptoms.

This might not help you, but I can tell you what has worked for me and a friend ...

For about 20 years, I've suffered from severe, all-over burning sensations, including the sensation that I have boiling water running down a limb. I find it helps if I wear very soft fabrics that cover me completely so warm or cool air does not directly touch my skin. Silk works better than any other fabric. Fabrics other people think of as soft feel like sandpaper on my skin. I wear long sleeves even in the hottest of weather, but with soft, light fabrics. It decreases the burning sensation tremendously. For me, walking from the outside where it's hot into an air-conditioned building can trigger a burning episode that lasts for days. Tight belts or undergarments can also cause symptoms. Paradoxically, I find a hot shower -- as hot as I can stand -- can tone down the burning sensation for hours.

I am also a gymmer and I am in good shape. Like you, I experience unusual muscle soreness, even after moderate workouts. I don't have normal flexibility and become stiff unless I work to stay limber every day.

For me, these problems are caused by an auto-immune disease for which there is no easy treatment. I see the doctor regularly for check-ups and blood work so he can make sure no major organ systems are impacted. There are some blood tests your doctor can do for auto-immune disorders that are not part of the CBC test.

I have a friend who suffered from just about all the symptoms you described. All that you mentioned. She had many medical tests that all came back fine. After suffering for several years, she finally accepted the problem was caused by stress. She began a doctor prescribed program of stress reduction, including meditation and learning how to view daily problems as small obstacles instead of looking at each thing as a disaster. It took about six months, but when she practiced the stress reduction exercises daily, she stopped having the symptoms that had plagued her for such a long time.

Her doctor said her physiological response to normal stresses had been so exaggerated that her body was over-reacting to everything, including normal sensations that other people did not find uncomfortable or painful. Her adrenal glands would fire at odd times, causing strange panic attacks and difficulty breathing. The more she worried, the worse the sensations became.

Perhaps a stress reduction program would help you, too. Perhaps your doctor can refer you to someone who could help you learn stress reduction skills. And you might ask about blood tests for auto-immune disorders.

I wish you the best of luck.