What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia, also known as FM or FMS, is a medical disorder that is most commonly characterized by chronic pain.
What are the symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
While chronic, widespread pain is the most common symptom that we hear about, other symptoms that can be present with Fibromyalgia are
- allodynia (which is pain from stimulus that does not usually cause pain)
- heightened painful response to pressure
- muskuloskeletal pain, fatigue upon arising
- tenderness in localized areas
- painful menstrual periods
- nausea
- cold or flu like symptoms
- jaw pain
- skin problems
- dizziness
- weight gain
- vision or breathing problems
- abdominal pain
- anxiety
- depression
- chronic headaches
- light or difficulty maintaining sleep
- mucus membrane dryness
- hypersensitivity to heat or cold
- inability to concentrate (referred to as Fibro Fog)
- incontinence
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- numbness or tingling in fingers and feet, stiffness.
5 interesting facts about Fibromyalgia
- Fibromyalgia can be misdiagnosed as Osteoarthritis, Bursitis, or Tendinitis.
- Women are ten times more likely to have FM then men are.
- Although usually Fibromyalgia is diagnosed in people over the age of 30, anyone can have this chronic pain condition.
- Fibromyalgia is often referred to as an arthritis-related condition; however, the syndrome does not cause joint or muscle damage, damage to other tissues, or inflammation.
- No one really knows what causes this syndrome.
What are some of the causes of Fibromyalgia?
While no one really knows what causes FM some of the contributing factors are:
- A stressful, traumatic physical, or emotional event. Such as a car accident, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Recent surgery or a massive infection can also increase the risk of getting FM.
- Repetitive injuries such as repeatedly twisting your ankle.
- Certain diseases can increase the risk of developing FM. Rheumatoid arthritis, and Lupus have been linked with FM.
- Central Nervous System (CNS) problems.
- If you had a close family member with FM, you have an increased risk for contracting this syndrome as well.
How is Fibromyalgia diagnosed?
Unfortunately there are no specific tools for diagnosing FM, rather it is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that your doctor will rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms to the ones that you are experiencing. Having a complete medical history with you when you talk to your doctor about your symptoms can help speed up a diagnosis. Your doctor will probably need to do a comprehensive physical exam as well.
To rule out more serious illnesses your doctor may want to order blood work as well. Some of the tests they may order are a complete blood count, testing for chemicals, under-active thyroid, Lyme titers, antinuclear antibodies, rheumatiod factor, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. They may also want to check your levels of prolactin, calcium, and vitamin D.
What is the treatment for Fibromyalgia?
There is no cure for Fibromyalgia, there is also no specific treatment that will take care of all the symptoms. You and your doctor will be able to create a treatment plan that will help you with a wide variety of traditional and alternative methods that have been proven to help others with Fibromyalgia.
Most commonly treatments include a combination of medications (like Lyrica) and both strengthening and aerobic exercises.
Please keep in mind that while the treatments are designed to help, they may not help right away. Some medications have to build up in your system. Some of the exercises will not help immediately either.
Although it is difficult to stay positive, while living with chronic pain, DO NOT GIVE UP! Things will get better, and if one of your treatments is not working don't be afraid to tell your doctor. He or she may be able to suggest something different that will work better, you just have to speak up!
