Fibromyalgia

The first thing we need is a basic understanding of Fibromyalgia. I hope to give you an explanation as well as a personal glimpse into what it is like to have it. As I said on the index page I will not be giving credit here as that would be impossible. I have collected this information from various sources, source types, and from personal experience as well.

DEFINITION
Fibromyalgia is a common condition characterized by widespread pain in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.

ETIOLOGY
Though there are a few conjectures on the cause of Fibro, no one knows for sure what or how it is brought on.

Physical or emotional trauma may play a role in development of the syndrome. A number of lines of evidence suggest that Fibromyalgia patients have abnormal pain transmission responses.

Some think that sleep disturbances, which are common, may actually cause the condition.

Some suggest that it may be associated with changes in skeletal muscle metabolism, possibly caused by decreased blood flow, which could cause chronic fatigue and weakness.

And still some others suggest that it is an infection that triggers the illness even though no such virus or microbe has been identified.

SYMPTOMS
The overwhelming characteristic of Fibromyalgia is long-standing, body-wide pain with defined tender points. This pain can mimic the pain experienced by people with various types of arthritis. With Fibromyalgia syndrome alone, the significant joint swelling, destruction, and deformity seen in patients with diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis does not occur. The soft-tissue pain of Fibromyalgia is described as deep-aching, radiating, gnawing, shooting or burning, and ranges from mild to severe. Fibromyalgia sufferers tend to waken with body aches and stiffness.

Multiple tender areas
Fatigue
Sleep disturbances
Body aches
Reduced exercise tolerance
Chronic facial muscle pain or aching

TREATMENT
In mild cases, symptoms may go away when stress is decreased or lifestyle changes are implemented. A combination of treatments including medications, patient education, physical therapy, and counseling are usually recommended. Certain classes of antidepressant medications are sometimes prescribed for the disorder. Other medications that are used include anti-inflammatory pain medications and medications that work on pain transmission pathways.

A well-balanced diet and avoiding caffeine may help with problems sleeping, and may reduce the severity of the symptoms.

Improved fitness through exercise is recommended. Studies show that the best is to start with low impact exercises, like walking and swimming.

MY POINT of VIEW
It's another autoimmune disease with symptoms similar to some of the other diagnoses I have so I have no idea which are caused from the Fibro but the rheumatologist says I have the trigger points necessary for the diagnosis.

2002 UPDATE
A move north has me seeing different doctors and the new rheumatologist is not convinced I have Fibromyalgia. I think I will remind him as I do hurt... and more... in the mornings. He will have more to say on this on my next appointment in October, I think.

Destination JO | Home
My Story | Story Index
Diagnoses Index | Update Index
Websites | Email Me

You are listening to Memories from the musical Cats, written by
Andrew Lloyd Webber and T.S. Eliot. I felt this song was a perfect selection
for this site because of the affiliation I feel with Grizabella. Although for her,
it was age and not health issues that changed her, neither of us are who we
were before, on the outside, and it can affect how we feel on the inside.