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Fibromyalgia
An inflammation of the fibrous or connective tissue of the body, Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened and painful response to pressure, along with fatigue and joint stiffness. There is no recognized cure for fibromyalgia, but some treatments have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing symptoms.
275 Questions
What is the breakdown of the word components of fibromyalgia?
The word parts that make up fibromyalgia are fibro(fibrous tissue) and Myo(muscle), and Algia(illness).
Can Gabapentin be used for fibromyalgia?
Seroquel is currently being used 'off list' for fibromyalgia. There has been one study made on it however, the results have not been released.
What would be the best specialist to treat Fibromyalgia?
I see a rheumatologist for my fibromyalgia treatment. I also have chronic IBS so I see a GI doc. On top of that, I have a sleep disorder so I also see a pulmonary doc. I'd say you'd probably want to get a referral to a rheumatologist that believes in fibromyalgia. There are lots of docs, specifically older docs, that don't believe it's a true condition. So just be careful. The road to diagnosis and treatment is very long and discouraging. Keep your head up!
This statement is extremely true...so these things will save you time and help. When you call your rheumatologist ask if the doctor believes in fibromyalgia no sense in wasting his time or yours. Second if you are a male ask if they see males with fibromyalgia. As much of a sexist question as this may seem you would be surprised how many doctors have bought in to the lie that only females get fibromyalgia. Last of all once you get a rheumatologist they most likely will know a pain doctor in your area that manages pain. make sure you ask for a referral to a pain management doctor and don't try to find one on your own. You want to get this information from this doctor because most likely they have sent others to this doctor and the PM doctor will also believe in a Fibromyalgia diagnoses. This will be easier in some states than others. These steps will save you many years of humiliation, frustration, and distress. Once you get a family doctor print up the test information at www.autoimmune.com. there now is a blood test that your doctor can order. All though not 100% accurate [not many test are] it may help you in your treatment. The world is becoming more an d more acceptable of FM and realizing it isn't going away. They are coming closer to finding out what it actually means. Many FM patients do not have to go through what many had to go through just 4 or 5 years ago. It is still a battle but it is getting less and less with more and more people on your side.
Can Fibromyalgia cause narcolepsy?
It can absolutely cause sleep disorders. Fatigue in fact is an index symptom. Also, as it's painful, you can expect sleep disorders which in turn exacerbate the problem you described. As to pathologic sleeping disorder breathing patterns, I never heard of this symptom related to fibromyalgia. This symptom may relate to another disorder altogether.
Similarities and differences between fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome?
The symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome are basically the same: muscle pain, fatigue, anxiety, irritability and even Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Some believe that Myofascial Pain Syndrome is actually at the root of Fibromyalgia. Studies of Myofascial Release Therapy(MFR) on those with Fibromyalgia have backed up this idea with repeated studies showing that MFR greatly reduces Fibromyalgia symptoms and can have a positive impact up to six months after treatment has ended.
Are there any painkillers that work with fibromyalgia?
Yes, As with any other form of chronic pain, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) from a Clinical Psychologist. Many suffererers are sceptical of a psychological treatment, however many report a reduction in their pain experience, both in intensity and frequency, and learn excellent techniques for dealing with their pain. Pain is now treated in "biopsychosocial" way, as all biological, psycholgical and social issues of the pain interact which in turn effects the individual's experience of pain. I know this illness is debilitating and extremely frustrating and I don't think they have any long-term"cures" as such therefore learning to deal with chronic pain in the long-term is very beneficial. Speak to your GP or family doctor for a referral to a clinical psychologist who has extensive experience with clients with chronic pain. Many pain clinics have clin psychs working them also.
What are symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Arthritis and fibromyalgia are two separate medical conditions. These conditions are often seen together in a patient. Some symptoms of arthritis include inflammation and pain in the joints, swelling, and stiffness. Fibromyalgia symptoms can include chronic pain in the muscles, insomnia, fatigue, stiffness and headaches.
How can you cope with fibromyalgia?
- See a therapist who practices Acupuncture and Neurostructural Therapy (NST or Bowen Therapy). I recommend both therapies for reducing stiffness and pain.
- Regular exercise, no matter how little, is vital. Pilates is great and Alexander Technique helps to relieve unnecessary tension in the muscles.
- A calcium supplement taken at bedtime helps relax muscles and aid sleep.
- I have been taking Cymbalta for fibromyalgia for a couple of months. It has really helped me.
- A small dose of amytriptiline at bedtime has helped me quite a bit, but the thing that has decreased my pain more than anything is a treatment called intramuscular stimulation. It uses acupuncture needles, but is not acupunture. I have better flexibility than I've had in many years.
- Don't discount depression. A good counselor or therapist can help you deal with the changes in your life, and asses and re-focous your goals taking your health into account. Anti-depressants may also be recommended to help with clinical depression and/or sleep deprivation (seratonin related) that often accompanies fibromyalgia.
- Also don't rule out vitamin deficiencies. There was an article posted in Prevention magazine, I think, that stated 80% of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia/non-traumatic whole body pain are also Vitamin D deficient. Vitamin D is found in a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. The key source of Vitamin D, by far though, of course, is the sun. So plenty of fresh air and sunshine and whatever walking you can do will make a great difference. Healthy lifestyle is everything when it comes to preventing pain.
- Chiropractic has helped me greatly with pain. I take Zoloft for depression. I rest for the fatigue.
I am adding this information. There are some great books that cover all the topics above. There is a national association for Fibromyalgia too. I tried everything above. You have to try all types of regimens. So far I have found Cymbalta and Lyrica do work very well, however I gained a lot of weight on Lyrica. So now I only take Cymbalta and I use tramadol when some parts of my body flare up rea bad. I also had my thyroid checked. Once I was put on Armour thyroid my limbs hurt a little less, I quit losing hair and I stopped bruising so easy. Good luck. Pegalita, medical administrator Oh, If you get migraines see a neurologist. Cymbalta has decreased the frequency of my migraines and the severity of it.
Have your thyroid levels checked, at least for TSH, free T4 and free T3. Many people diagnosed with fibromyalgia find they are hypothyroid, and their fibro symptoms go away when they get on the right dose of thyroid supplement to correct the deficiency.
Are there any allopathic cures for fibromyalgia?
Currently there are no cures for fibromyalgia. You simply manage the condition the best you can - with any helpful methods, whether allopathic or otherwise.
There are some physicians that believe that by resetting your system to learn how to get restful sleep, by eating healthily, and partaking in physical therapy to manage trigger points - you may be more successful than by layering medication on top of medication. They theorize that since fibromyalgia is a condition where the central nervous system has become unhinged, dumping more CNS altering drugs on top of that will not assist in forcing the condition into any form of retreat.
How was fibromyalgia discovered?
The term fibromyalgia was coined by researcher Mohammed Yunus as a synonym for fibrositis and was first used in a scientific publication in 1981.
Is lupus and fibromyalgia the same thing?
First I need to mention they are similar and a Dr. should be consulted for a diagnosis
Each person with lupus has slightly different symptoms that can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time. However, some of the most common symptoms of lupus include painful or swollen joints (arthritis), unexplained fever, and extreme fatigue. A characteristic red skin rash (the so-called butterfly or malar rash) may appear across the nose and cheeks. Rashes may also occur on the face and ears, upper arms, shoulders, chest, and hands. Because many people with lupus are sensitive to sunlight (called photosensitivity), skin rashes often first develop or worsen after sun exposure.
* Chest pain upon deep breathing * Unusual loss of hair * Pale or purple fingers or toes from cold or stress (Raynaud's phenomenon) * Sensitivity to the sun * Swelling (edema) in legs or around eyes * Mouth ulcers * Swollen glands * Extreme fatigue Symptoms of lupus can range from mild to severe and may come and go over time. Other symptoms of lupus include chest pain, hair loss, anemia (a decrease in red blood cells), mouth ulcers, and pale or purple fingers and toes from cold and stress. Some people also experience headaches, dizziness, depression, confusion, or seizures. New symptoms may continue to appear years after the initial diagnosis, and different symptoms can occur at different times. In some people with lupus, only one system of the body, such as the skin or joints, is affected. Other people experience symptoms in many parts of their body. Just how seriously a body system is affected varies from person to person.
= Fibromyalgia Symptoms = One of the reasons fibromyalgia is not as well understood as it could be is because patients have reported such a wide variety of symptoms. However, there is some consistency, particularly with the primary symptoms.
The main or primary symptoms of fibromyalgia are:
This means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, described by sufferers as stabbing and shooting; with deep muscular aches, throbs and twitching, and can pop up on any part of the body.
This means fatigue that is so pronounced that it is almost incapacitating, such that limbs feel like they have weights attached to them.
This may mean one of a number of different sleep disorders, such as alpha-EEG anomaly, sleep apnea, bruxism (grinding the teeth) or restless leg syndrome (RLS)
Other symptoms reported by those suffering from fibromyalgia include the list below. Keep in mind that symptom severity differs from person to person and not everyone with fibromyalgia will experience one, a few or all these symptoms:
Migraines and tension headaches affect about 70% of patients
Between 40 and 70% of patients suffer from constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas, and nausea.
Technically called discognition, the ?Fog? is a common symptom, causing confusion, memory problems, an inability to concentrate, and more.
As many as one of every four patients suffer from TMJ, which causes severe pain in the jaw, face, and head.
Some additional symptoms, reported with less frequency, include: * Pelvic pain * Sensitivity to noise and temperature * Anxiety and depression * Skin rashes and sensitivities * Dry eyes and dry mouth * Ringing in the ears * Raynaud's Syndrome (discoloration of the fingers and/or toes)
Is fibromyalgia linked to rehumatoid arthritis?
Fibromyalgia is often described as an arthritis related condition. It However as it is not a a disease of the joints it is not arthritis since it does not cause inflammation in the joints, muscles, or other tissues or damage them. However fibromyalgia like arthritis causes significant pain and fatigue and it can interfere with a person's ability to carry on normal daily activities.
What is a specialized soft tissue technique used to ease pain with conditions such as fibromyalgia?
You are most likely referring to Myofascial Release, which can be very helpful for those with Fibromyalgia and TMJ.
What are symptoms of fybromyagia?
Fibromyalgia has a whole host of symptoms and it differs from person to person. Typically, it is defined by a certain number of longstanding/recurring symptoms, and not just one or two symptoms. For persons with fibromyalgia, the symptoms must be present for an extended length of time, usually a period of months.
- Symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Joint swelling
- Muscle cramps, spasms, tightness and/or pain
- Morning stiffness/stiffness from inactivity
- Fatigue and lack of energy
- Insomnia
- Restless arms and legs
- Sleep apnea
- Sensitivity to temperature
- Alternating abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, and diarrhea.
- Tender points across the body in the back of the head, upper shoulders, front of the neck and top of the chest, top and sides of the hips, outside of the elbows, inside of the knees
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Jaw and facial tenderness
- Sensitivity to smell, sound, brightness, medication, and foods
- Numbness/tingling in the face or extremities
- Urinary urgency/frequency
- Intolerance for exercise
These symptoms can wax and wane depending on the time of day, the weather (high and low pressure systems/wind), seasons, and other factors.
It is not serious as in life-threatening, but it is a very painful and irritating condition, and because not much is yet known, there are not many relievers.
Is it likely that you can suffer with multiple slerosis and get wrongly diagnosed with fibromyalgia?
Yes, the symptoms of MS and Fibromyalgia are very similar and because of this it is possible to be wrongly diagnosed. However, it is just as likely that you might be mis-diagnosed in the other direction. There are several tests that can be done to determine if you have MS, you should see a qualified Neurologist so that they can rule out MS as the cause of your symptoms.
What are these red swollen lumps on arms that fill with puss and what are some symptoms?
Could be pimples, could be boils. Without further information it would be difficult to tell.
Can fibromyalgia cause arthiritis?
Fibromyalgia is not linked to causing arthritis. But they are finding that some forms of arthritis patients do develop Fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia causes arthritis like symptoms. Although this is not the only symptom of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia sufferers many times will show symptoms or carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, sprained ankles, and arthritis. Severe arthritis can be detected in certain tests. Fibromyalgia does not cause inflammation, or swelling of the joints. Arthritis does cause joint inflammation and swelling. There are hundreds of different arthritis and arthritis symptoms so getting tested in a good idea.
Arthritis has been known to be misdiagnosed by some medical professionals as fibromyalgia. They are distinctly two different conditions and a doctor who takes a complete history and does an in depth diagnosis will be able to rule out one or another. Then a blood test can also tell the difference between many conditions or if you have several conditions. A blood test for fibromyalgia has been recently discovered and you can find the information at autoimmune technologies (the link is below). They also have posted different information of lots of conditions like arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gulf syndrome, fibromyalgia and more.
How is rheumatiod arthritis fibromyalgia and SLE linked?
Fibromyalgia is a name given to a group of symptoms marked by generalized pain and muscle stiffness. These symptoms can be felt in any area of the body. Other symptoms include fatigue and insomnia. Fibromyalgia, unlike RA Fibromyalgia does not cause inflammation or damage to the painful areas, Like RA it can occur in any part of the body.
Like RA Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): SLE is an autoimmune disorder that can affect many organ systems within the body.
