Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
Fibromyalgia can be a debilitating disorder. It that can strike at any time for those affected by it. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown at this time but it is believed to involve psychological, genetic, neurological, and environmental factors. Fibromyalgia tends to affect women at a greater rate than men (about 9 women for every 1 man affected). It is believed fibromyalgia affects between 3-4% of the population. It has also been associated with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and as a side effect of anticholesterol medications.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
-Pain. The pain is frequently described as a constant dull ache, typically beginning in the muscles. On top of the pain that is felt there are areas of the body called tender poitns. When pressure is applied to any of these tender points, fibromyalgia patients will experience even more pain. There are about 9 different tender points on the body and include the back of the head, the upper chest, between the shoulder blades, and the inside of the knees.
-Fatigue. People suffering from fibromyalgia often wake up tired. Even after reporting sleeping for hours at a time.
-Sleep Disturbances. sleep is often disrupted by the pain from fibromyalgia. To make matters worse these patients also have other sleep disorders that include restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea.
-Cognitive Dysfunction. Also referred to as “fibrofog”. This can include problems with short and long term memories, impaired speech, inability to multi task, and short attention spans.
-Joint stiffness, may include TMJ.
-More difficult to numb with dental anesthesia.
Some of the other symptoms can include difficulty upon swallowing, irritable bowel syndrome, as well as numbness and tingling. Fibromyalgia is typically found alongside depression and anxiety, which may be due to difficulty in coping with the condition. The symptoms tend to build upon themselves making patients even more sensitive at each attack.
Causes Of Fibromyalgia
At this time, it is unknown for sure what causes fibromyalgia. It is believed that many factors work together to cause the disorder to occur. These factors include:
-Genetics – It has been learned through research that fibromyalgia tends to run in families. So it is believed that certain genetic mutations may play a role in developing fibromyalgia. These same genetic mutations have also been linked with other syndromes of unknown origin as well as depression. It is believed the pain that is caused by fibromyalgia is the result of abnormal pain processing by the brain. Researchers have shown that there are functional and structural differences between fibromyalgia patients and healthy individuals. It is unknown however if these abnormalities are the cause.
There have also been studies done in Sweden regarding twins and they found that:
Identical twins with fibromyalgia have a 15% chance that their twin has fibromyalgia.
Fraternal twins with fibromyalgia have a 7% chance that their twin has fibromyalgia.
-Infections/Illness – Some ilnesses appear to trigger or aggravate fibromyalgia.
-Lifestyle. Poor lifestyle choices including being a smoker, obesity and lack of exercise may increase the risk of an individual developing fibromyalgia.
-Trauma. This can be physical or even emotional. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been linked in recent years to fibromyalgia.
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Unfortunately, there is not a single test to confirm fibromyalgia. Patients are generally diagnosed when all other known diseases or syndromes are ruled out. It is called differential diagnosis when used in medicine. Fibromyalgia is believed to be under-diagnosed with only about 25 percent of the actual cases being diagnosed properly.
The most widely accepted set of classification criteria for research purposes was elaborated in 1990 by the Multicenter Criteria Committee of the American College of Rheumatology. These criteria, which are known informally as “the ACR 1990″, define fibromyalgia according to the presence of the following criteria:
-A history of widespread pain lasting more than three months—affecting all four quadrants of the body, i.e., both sides, and above and below the waist.
-Tender points—there are 18 designated possible tender points (although a person with the disorder may feel pain in other areas as well). Diagnosis is no longer based on the number of tender points.
How Is Fibromyalgia Managed?
Treatment is varied by individual. Each individual will present with different symptoms. So what type of therapy is available?
Psychological therapies
There have been benefits to behavioral therapies (cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) ) coupled with exercise to have a small to moderate effect in reducing the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Medications
-Analgesics. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may ease the pain and stiffness associated with fibromyalgia. However, the effectiveness of acetaminophen has varied from patient to patient. Tramadol (Ultram) is a prescription pain reliever that may be taken with or without acetaminophen. Your doctor may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) — in conjunction with other medications.
-Antidepressants. Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella) may help ease the pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. Your doctor may prescribe amitriptyline or fluoxetine (Prozac) to help promote sleep.
-Anti-seizure drugs. Medications designed to treat epilepsy are often useful in reducing certain types of pain. Gabapentin (Neurontin) is sometimes helpful in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms, while pregabalin (Lyrica) was the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes are critical to managing the onset and symptoms of fibromyalgia. Some of the changes that can help include:
-Reduce stress in your life. Allow yourself time each day to relax. People who quit work or drop all activity tend to do worse than those who remain active. Stress Management techniques like meditation or deep breathing can really help in this area.
-Get Adequate sleep. Because fatigue is one of the main characteristics of fibromyalgia, getting sufficient sleep is mandatory. In addition to getting enough time for sleep, practice good sleep habits, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time each day and limiting daytime napping.
-Regular Exercise. Initially, exercise may actually increase your pain. But doing it gradually and regularly often decreases symptoms. Appropriate exercises may include walking, swimming, biking and water aerobics. A physical therapist can help you develop a home exercise program. Stretching, good posture and relaxation exercises also are helpful.
-Check medications. Some meds have fibromyalgia side effects. Anticholesterol medications are a major culprit of fibromyalgia symptoms. Try changing your diet to a healthier one incorporating mild exercise, and try to decrease your cholesterol level naturally.
-Pace yourself. Keep your activity on an even level. If you do too much on your good days, you may have more bad days. Moderation means not “overdoing it” on your good days, but likewise it means not self-limiting or doing “too little” on the days when symptoms flare.
-Choose to make healthy nutritional choices. Choose a well balanced diet and limit your caffeine intake to the absolute minimum.
Alternative Medicine Choices
-Acupuncture. While many do not believe in acupuncture, it has been helpful for many ailments over the years. It is believed the acupuncture needles cause changes in blood flow and levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord. Studies have shown improvements in fibromyalgia symptoms following acupuncture treatment.
-Massage therapy. Massage can reduce your heart rate, relax your muscles, improve range of motion in your joints and increase production of your body’s natural painkillers. It often helps relieve stress and anxiety.
-Yoga and tai chi. These practices combine meditation, slow movements, deep breathing and relaxation. Both have been found to be helpful in controlling fibromyalgia symptoms.
Fibromyalgia Conclusion
Fibromyalgia is a disease that affects not only the sufferer but also those around him or her. It is an often misunderstood disease that can create frustration. Understanding and managing the symptoms is the goal. Proper choices and therapy can allow fibromyalgia patients to live normal productive lives.
© 2013, Marielaina Perrone DDS. All rights reserved. Henderson Emergency Dentist
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I used to be very active strong cleaning cooking exercising swimming always on the go. Now I can't stand long enough to scramble an egg I cannot clean my apartment I barely could get in the shower and wash my hair I don't sleep at night so have to take naps or lay down and I've learned now to obey my body. Before I would push on to the point where I would suffer for a month after now I can't do that either I could barely hold up my head anymore it has stolen my life and I have grieved the death of me the person that I used to be is no longer here. I love to dance love dancing now I use a walker I have aged immensely in the past few years I don't look anything like I did before. This disease stole my life and I want my life back I want the me back. I want to be able to go out I can't leave my house the only time I leave is to go to the doctors and get medicine that's it I have no life this is not living this is existing to me and it is depressing me to the point where I consider being honest with you taking my life that's how bad the pain is I cannot deal with this pain anymore the pain is controlling my life I don't drink alcohol anymore I do not smoke cigarettes anymore I do not drink coffee anymore actually I live on yogurt Chobani Greek yogurt if I eat anyting I double over in pain and I'm on the toilet. It is more than overactive nerve endings to me everyday I wake up with a new problem even my hair hurts did not think that was possible but it does. Can't even give myself a shower when I took two showers a day I'm lucky if I get one or two a week can't wash my hair because I cannot bend my hands my arms my shoulders everything hurts I have arthritis on top and degenerative disc disease and I think there are some more things going on we just haven't found the mail check oh I also now have underactive thyroid pain medication is not even taking the edge off my pain anymore tried every kind of seizure medicine Neurontin ult Rams Mobic Topamax Elavil antidepressants I have been on so many different antidepressants tried Wellbutrin there were so many I forget that's the other thing I was never late on my bills I can't even hold the pen up in my hand long enough and then I forget a lot of things Miss doctor's appointments because I cannot get in the shower it's exacerbating my depression to the point where I am don't want anybody to see me like this feeling like I am becoming a vegetable I'm not used to asking for help now I have to pay people to help me and even then they don't show up everything hurts everything I believe this disease stole my life and I want it back so bad but like today all's I did was lay on the couch all day I buy things for exercise and don't use them because I have no energy. The only interaction I have with human beings is on messenger on the internet. But I have no social interaction can't do my laundry can't clean my apartment can't do anything. I had so many losses in my lifetime especially the past few years I am in so much pain that I can't even feel g r i v e my granddaughter my sister and my brother-in-law all passed away within 4 years and my pain is so bad that I could not feel grief for them and that's horrible because I love and miss them so much cry at the drop of a hat because the pain. There's got to be something out there that could help me they had to cut down on my pain medication because of the change and law because drug addicts have a better chance of getting medicine then a person that really needs it and that is not fair I am addicted but I am not a junkie and there is a difference. I did all the epidural nerve blocks you name it I did it it still does not work I used to leg press 250 lb and I only weigh 105 lb myself always exercising always owned every kind of exercise equipment you could think of walked 5 miles a day did Pilates swimming dancing I can't even eat it's too much of it a pain to eat and I'll be talking to someone and forget words there's got to be something out there. Please I am begging you please try to find an answer a cure for this something that can make me feel human again because I am not human I'm just existing I'm not living rather I'm just existing and that is a sin what are the seven deadly sins. Please read this printed posted I don't care just please find some way somehow to help us some people is worse than others I heard there are different degrees of it well if that's true then I have the worst one if it gets any worse I'm going to have to do something I don't want to do. But I cannot live this way this is not living its existing
January 20, 2018 - 6:20pmThis Comment
Hello, Anon.
I'm very sorry you are going through this. Have you tried any alternative treatments or therapies mentioned here? If not, it might be worth looking into. Not mentioned above, but also helpful can be chiropractic and biofeedback, in addition to acupuncture and others. Below is a link from WebMD with more information on complementary treatments for Fibromyalgia. Copy/paste the link.
https://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/natural-therapies-and-alternative-treatments-for-fibromyalgia#1
I hope your health will improve soon. Don't give up hope.
Keep us updated.
Helena
January 20, 2018 - 8:04pmThis Comment