Here you will find articles, websites and information about Fibromyalgia.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Pain, Fatigue, Brain Fog & More – All Part of Fibromyalgia
By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com
Updated: March 20, 2009
About.com Health’s Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic condition that causes intense pain in various places around the body, including muscles, connective tissues and joints, as well as a host of other symptoms. It affects more than 6 million people in the United States.
Doctors classify fibromyalgia as a syndrome, which means it has a group of signs, symptoms and characteristics that occur together. Experts are investigating a new blood test that may be able to detect fibromyalgia in up to 50% of sufferers. While this may be available to some patients, others still will have no definitive medical evidence that they’re sick. To make a diagnosis, doctors usually rely on signs and symptoms alone. Complicating the matter, symptoms vary widely from person to person and often, as do their intensity.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
People with fibromyalgia frequently hurt all over and feel exhausted all the time. Those symptoms often force you to seriously limit your physical activity. It’s also common to have problems concentrating and remembering things. A lot of people with fibromyalgia have symptoms so severe that they have to quit or modify their jobs.
Because fibromyalgia is frequently misunderstood, family, friends, co-workers and even medical providers may not believe the person is actually sick. A proper diagnosis often takes months.
Adding to these considerable frustrations, it can be difficult or impossible to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. That’s in large part because it used to be commonplace for doctors to mislabel any chronic pain of unknown origin as fibromyalgia, and the diagnosis is still misused somewhat today.
Keep in mind that the signs and symptoms vary widely from one person to another. Some people have only a few, while others have many. The intensity of symptoms is different in everyone as well, ranging from mildly annoying to highly debilitating.
Common symptoms of fibromyalgia:
- Widespread pain
- Chest pain
- Morning stiffness
- Fatigue
- Sleep disorders
- Anxiety
- Cognitive or memory impairment (“Fibrofog”)
- Depression
- Abdominal complaints
Frequently, people with undiagnosed fibromyalgia don’t realize that a host of secondary symptoms are related to the pain, fatigue and other primary symptoms. Keeping a detailed list of symptoms can help your doctor make a diagnosis.
Additional fibromyalgia symptoms include:
- Painful menstrual cramps
- Vision problems
- Nausea and dizziness
- Weight gain
- Chronic headaches
- Skin problems
- Muscle twitches and weakness
These lists include the most common symptoms. For a complete symptoms list, see the Monster List of Fibromyalgia Symptoms.
Fibromyalgia Treatments
While a lot of fibromyalgia treatments are available, you’ll likely need to experiment with different options before you find what works best for you.
Fibromyalgia treatments include:
- Prescription drugs
- Complementary/alternative treatments, including massage and physical therapy, chiropractic, and acupuncture
- Vitamins and supplements
- Moderate exercise, but only if done correctly
- Lifestyle changes, including diet, stress management, and pacing
Every case of fibromyalgia is different, and no treatment works for everyone. You’ll probably need to work closely with your doctor to custom tailor a treatment regimen that helps you become more functional. Many people benefit from a multidisciplinary approach, which involves several healthcare providers.
Prognosis for People With Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition. While some people do experience long remissions, no one who’s had fibromyalgia can truly say they don’t have it any more.
As for the progression of the illness, it’s hard to say whether your symptoms will get better or worse with time. Because fibromyalgia isn’t degenerative, its course isn’t clearly established like it is for many diseases.
Some experts say about a third of us will get worse, a third will improve significantly, and the remaining third will stay about the same. Some studies have linked early diagnosis and treatment to better long-term outcomes, but other than this it’s unclear what role treatment plays in the progression, or lack thereof, of fibromyalgia.
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Fibromyalgia and Rainy Days
Dealing with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are challenging when the weather is good, but when it changes, my symptoms worsen and then things really get tough.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1807452/fibromyalgia_and_rainy_days.html
Fibromyalgia and Rainy Days---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fibromyalgia: 20 Things That Help
Tuesday August 18, 2009
Fibro fog or not, I run into a lot of very smart people here! I want to share with you one of the Readers Respond comments left on my article Living with Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (thanks, Linda!):
1. Good Doctor
2. amitriptylin
3. less caffeine
4. body pillow
5. therapist
6. keeping a journal re hours of sleep, activity, mood, pain
7. walking/yard work
8. research online
9. fibro support group online
10. warm baths
11. limiting "stress time" and immediately after doing something enjoyable
12. distracting myself with hobbies
13. getting Google news alerts on FM to keep up on the latest
14. being more careful about body alignment - not overlifting or overextending
15. limiting how much time i think about FM/research it
16. focusing on the hopeful stories where people affected can learn to manage despite it
17. thinking of the positives, like having more compassion and understanding, being forced to relax more, the learning and meeting others and new experiences because of the illness.
18. not trying to do too much in one day - listening to my body as to energy levels
19. more fresh air and sunshine
20. quitting a job that was too demanding
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Consult Johns Hopkins' leading specialists
BEFORE you decide on your fibromyalgia treatment plan
Introducing...
Understanding & Managing Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Presenting the latest thinking on the causes and treatments of fibromyalgia
You hurt all over and feel exhausted most of the time.
Your doctor has ordered test after test, but the tests don't show anything specifically wrong with you.
Is it chronic fatigue syndrome? Depression? Lyme disease? Lupus? Could it be FIBROMYALGIA?
If you have fibromyalgia - or think you might have fibromyalgia - you are NOT alone.
It is estimated that 5 million Americans suffer with this mysterious condition, which overwhelmingly affects women between the ages of 20 and 60. It's not unusual for some patients to see as many as 10 doctors before finally discovering the cause of their pain.
And according to one estimate, it takes an average of 5 years after the onset of symptoms for a fibromyalgia patient to get an accurate diagnosis and start receiving appropriate treatment.
But there is GOOD NEWS: While fibromyalgia is chronic and can be debilitating, it's not progressive or life-threatening. And there are a number of treatments - both pharmacological and non-pharmacological - that can help you manage your condition and live an active life.
If you're reading this letter now, you've probably received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia . . . or have symptoms that make you suspect that you have it.
You need the most current, reliable information on the most successful fibromyalgia treatment options available to you, so you can make the best informed decisions possible about your future.
Knowledge is key when it comes to treating fibromyalgia successfully. That's why we've created Understanding and Managing FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME. It contains vital information you won't find anywhere else.
Understanding and Managing FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME is designed to provide the latest thinking on the causes of fibromyalgia and the full range of your treatment options - both lifestyle measures and medications. Like an in-depth consultation with a leading specialist, this Special Report gives you unprecedented access to Johns Hopkins doctors . . . extensive knowledge and experience in treating this debilitating condition.
This is information so crucial to your decision-making process that Understanding and Managing FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME is available right now as an instant digital PDF download. You can be sure your guide contains up-to-the minute information to help you choose from amongst the best treatments available in your quest for the best possible outcome.
Your pain is real . . . It's NOT all in your head!
Tired of hearing that you're imagining your pain? For years, fibromyalgia was considered a purely psychological condition. Now physicians understand that fibromyalgia involves the central nervous system. Yes, the brain controls the central nervous system, but this does not mean that symptoms are "all in your head."
Physicians have been reporting symptoms of fibromyalgia since the 1800s, but it's only in the past few decades that the medical community has come to recognize and understand fibromyalgia as a unique condition.
So if it's not all in your head . . . where is it? In this Special Report, you'll learn:
11 key symptoms of fibromyalgia you should not ignore
How pain perception may play a role in causing fibromyalgia
Why the symptoms of fibromyalgia are often confused with rheumatoid arthritis
Why fibromyalgia has been called the "wastebasket" diagnosis
Diagnostic criteria developed by the American College of Rheumatology
The 18 "tender points" in the shoulders, neck, chest, elbows, pelvic area, and knees that cause excruciating pain
Why traditional pain-killers aren't effective for people with fibromyalgia
Did fibromyalgia cause your depression . . . or is it the reverse?
How the "theory of central sensitization" may be the key to understanding the cause of fibromyalgia
New theories about the cause of fibromyalgia . . . could insomnia, low blood pressure, or repeated trauma provide clues?
The latest findings on fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome
Up to 75% of fibromyalgia patients also have restless leg syndrome . .. . what's the connection?
Fibro fog - memory and concentration difficulties are a common side effect of fibromyalgia
And that's just the start. Understanding and Managing FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME provides an in-depth review of the latest, effective drugs used to treat fibromyalgia, including advice on drug combinations.
Cymbalta, Savella, or Lyrica?
This Special Report includes a Fibromyalagia Medication Primer of current drugs approved for fibromyalgia . . . and recommends specific drug combinations that may ease your pain.
To answer questions on the latest drug interventions, we turned to Dr. I. Jon Russell, Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Director of the university's Clinical Research Center.
A leading expert on fibromyalgia, Dr. Russell has conducted research studies in the immunology, pathogenesis, and management of rheumatic diseases and fibromyalgia syndrome. His current research involves studying the genetic and biophysiologic mechanisms of pain and stiffness in fibromyalgia syndrome. He is also participating as a consultant and as an investigator in many clinical research studies of new medications for the treatment of the fibromyalgia syndrome.
In Understanding and Managing FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME, Dr. Russell answers questions, including:
Why do so many doctors still believe that fibromyalgia is not a real disease?
Is the American College of Rheumatology's diagnostic criteria too restrictive?
What is ADEPT living?
Why is attitude so important to someone with fibromyalgia?
How can low-impact aerobic exercise help the fibromyalgia patient?
Which medications do you prescribe for fibromyalgia patients suffering with pain and depression?
What is the most effective treatment for fibromaylgia . . . associated pain and insomnia?
Can duloxetine (Cymbalta) and pregabalin (Lyrica) be used in combination to treat fibromyalgia?
What do you suggest to improve sleep quality?
How quickly do medications take effect to ease the pain of fibromyalgia?
What happens in a fibromyalgia flare-up?
Your Complementary Treatment Options
Physical exercise, herbal and hormonal supplements, massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy are just a few of the lifestyle approaches discussed in Understanding and Managing FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME
What about non-pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia? Dr. Kevin. R. Fontaine, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology in the Department of Medicine at Johns Hopkins regularly conducts studies looking at the effects of physical activity on fibromyalgia.
In Dr. Fontaine's chapter on non-pharmacological treatments, you'll learn:
Multifaceted approaches to lessen the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia - physical exercise, such as walking, swimming, and bicycling, can raise your pain threshold and increase your stamina
The importance of attitude in successful fibromyalgia treatment - a willingness to be proactive in your own treatment is key
9 steps to help improve sleep patterns of people with fibromyalgia
Melatonin supplements: what the studies show
Low magnesim levels are common in people with fibromyalgia - should you take magnesium supplements?
The latest on St. John's wort and fibromyalgia
What the experts say about massage and chiropractic approaches to relieve fibromyalgia pain
All this information and more is covered in Understanding and Managing FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME, available now as an instant digital PDF download. Remember, this 50-page Johns Hopkins Special Report comes complete with a full money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with the in-depth information in this report, simply contact Customer Service for a full refund, no questions asked.
Understanding and Managing FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME is designed to give you unprecedented access to the expertise of the hospital ranked #1 of America's Best Hospitals for 19 consecutive years. In my personal experience, a well-informed patient is my best patient. You owe it to yourself to learn as much as you can right now, before deciding on treatment for your fibromyalgia symptoms.
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Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Fibromyalgia Pronounced "Real Disease"
Neurologic signs common with fibromyalgia
Last Updated: 2009-09-22 13:01:04 -0400 (Reuters Health)
By Michelle Rizzo
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Fibromyalgia isn't
all in your head, new research suggests.
In a study, researchers found that people with
fibromyalgia were more likely than those without
the chronic pain condition to have poor balance,
tingling and weakness in the arms and legs, and
other "neurologic" signs and symptoms.
Fibromyalgia, a debilitating pain syndrome that
affects 2 to 4 percent of the population, is
characterized by chronic pain, fatigue and
difficulty sleeping. It's a somewhat mysterious
condition with no clear-cut cause. Many people
with fibromyalgia have faced the question of whether the condition is real.
The new findings, reported in the latest issue of
Arthritis and Rheumatism, support a growing body
of literature suggesting that the condition is
real and also support the possibility that a
"neuroanatomical" cause may underlie fibromyalgia.
Dr. Nathaniel F. Watson, of the University of
Washington Medicine Sleep Institute at
Harborview, Seattle, and colleagues studied 166
people with fibromyalgia and 66 pain-free controls.
All of them were examined by a neurologist who
was unaware of their disease status. All study
participants also completed a standard questionnaire on neurologic symptoms.
In 27 of 29 neurological categories tested,
significantly more neurologic symptoms were seen
in the fibromyalgia group than in the control
group, Watson and colleagues found.
The greatest differences were found for light
sensitivity, or "photophobia," seen in 70 percent
of fibromyalgia patients but in only 6 percent of
pain-free controls; poor balance, which plagued
63 percent of fibromyalgia patients but only 4
percent of controls; and weakness and tingling in
the arms or legs, seen in more than half of
fibromyalgia patients but in only around 4 percent of controls.
In addition, those with fibromyalgia had greater
dysfunction than controls in certain nerves in
the brain. They also had more "sensory" problems,
motor abnormalities and gait problems.
Within the fibromyalgia group, there were
significant correlations between several
neurologic signs and symptoms. For example,
numbness in any part of the body or tingling in
the arms or legs correlated with neurologic test
findings. Poor balance, poor coordination and
weakness in the arms or legs also correlated with
objective findings on neurologic tests.
These observations, Watson told Reuters Health,
underscore the need for "careful neurological
examinations in all fibromyalgia patients,
particularly those with neurological complaints."
Watson cautioned that this study does not confirm
a neuroanatomical basis for fibromyalgia and that
much more work is necessary before this can be known with certainty.
SOURCE: Arthritis and Rheumatism, September 2009.
Copyright © 2009 Reuters Limited.
