Fibromyalgia

[LuLu Rogers]

Ok, Many of you know that I suffer from Fibromyalgia, but a lot of you have no clue what it is. Janice and I were talking a while back about how we should start a thread to educate people about Fibromyalgia, so here it is. I'm posting some info from WebMD and if there are any questions you have, or you want to ask me about how I cope, please feel free. I'll be glad to answer any questions because I want people to understand that this is a REAL disease, not something someone made up. Here's some info:


Pain Management: Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), or fibromyalgia for short, is a musculoskeletal disorder that causes pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons -- -the soft fibrous tissues in the body. Fibromyalgia symptoms vary from person to person but people with the condition usually experience pain most acutely during rest.

FMS can occur in people of any age, but more women than men have FMS.

What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia symptoms vary from person to person, but the most common symptoms are:

Pain
Fatigue
Sleep disturbances
Many people with fibromyalgia say that their entire bodies ache as if they have the flu. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch or burn.

What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but there are triggering events that may make the condition more likely to occur. Some triggers include:

Infection (viral or bacterial)
Automobile accidents
Development of another disorder (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or hypothyroidism, for example)
While these triggering events probably do not cause fibromyalgia, they may awaken a physiological abnormality that was already present but previously unnoticed.

Can Fibromyalgia Be Prevented?
There is no known way to prevent fibromyalgia. However, maintaining a good diet, doing safe exercise, and getting adequate rest are important to prevent any medical condition, including fibromyalgia.

How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Doctors apply pressure on 18 tender point sites on the patient's body to diagnose fibromyalgia. Patients must have chronic, widespread, musculoskeletal pain that lasts longer than three months in all four quadrants of the body. These quadrants are above and below the waist and on both sides of the body. In addition, back pain of some kind must be present.

How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Traditional treatments for fibromyalgia are meant to improve sleep quality and limit pain.

The FDA has approved Lyrica as the first drug treatment for fibromyalgia. It reduces pain and improves daily functions for some patients. The drug's most common side effects include mild to moderate dizziness and sleepiness. Lyrica can also cause blurry vision and trouble concentrating. The FDA advises patients to talk to their doctor about whether the use of Lyrica may impair their ability to drive.

In many cases, medications to increase the body's level of serotonin and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters that modulate sleep, pain and immune system function) are prescribed in low doses. Some of the medicines used to aid sleep include Ambien, Klonopin and Desyrel.

In addition to medications, most people with fibromyalgia will need to use other treatment methods as well. These may include:

Injections with lidocaine into the pain sites (called trigger points)
Physical or occupational therapy
Acupuncture or acupressure
Relaxation/biofeedback techniques
Osteopathic manipulation (a whole system of evaluation and treatment designed to achieve and maintain health by restoring normal function to the body)
Chiropractic care
Therapeutic massage
A gentle exercise program
Lifestyle modifications may help people with fibromyalgia conserve energy and minimize pain. A main component of lifestyle management is listening to your body and not trying to over-do-it. Your doctor may be able to help you develop strategies to manage your lifestyle, or may refer you to a therapist who can work with you to change your daily activities to suit your situation.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Neuroscience Center.

[Ireneparalegal]

Great job Lulu. I can't even imagine the suffering a young girl like you must deal with regarding this illness.

I first learned of this illness after reading abt it 8 years ago. I never imagined ever knowing anyone who suffers from this.

We all could learn from this information and hopefully those who don't understand the illness, can learn from you.

[Max Whittaker]

My neighbor has Fibromyalgia, Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis. She keeps trying to live on her own, but she really can't do it anymore. She was diagnosed in 1996. She's only 54.

Who's more likely to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?

[LuLu Rogers]

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

My neighbor has Fibromyalgia, Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis. She keeps trying to live on her own, but she really can't do it anymore. She was diagnosed in 1996. She's only 54.

Who's more likely to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?

Most of the people who have it are women over 40. The doctors couldn't believe I had it, they even tested me several times to make sure. Men can get it too, but it's more common for women to have it.

[Max Whittaker]

I wonder what might have triggered it....?

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

My neighbor has Fibromyalgia, Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis. She keeps trying to live on her own, but she really can't do it anymore. She was diagnosed in 1996. She's only 54.

Who's more likely to be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?

My nephew's wife of two years was diagnosed three months after they were married, with Lupus. She is in her 20's.

[LuLu Rogers]

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

I wonder what might have triggered it....?

In my case they think it's possibly herriditary. My grandmother has Schogren's Syndrom, which is the same type of condition, but it's much worse.

[Pitooey]

I know a lady who has this and she has cancer to boot. She always tell me about her pain. I feel for her. I have had bouts of anemia which are very tiring. I get such a fatigue that slows me down. I hate it.

[Max Whittaker]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

My nephew's wife of two years was diagnosed three months after they were married, with Lupus. She is in her 20's.

My aunt has Lupus. She's in her late twenties. I think she was diagnosed in her teens. I should e-mail her. Never did thank her for the Christmas present she sent.

[LuLu Rogers]

Originally Posted by Pitooey

I know a lady who has this and she has cancer to boot. She always tell me about her pain. I feel for her. I have had bouts of anemia which are very tiring. I get such a fatigue that slows me down. I hate it.

That's the bad thing about Fibro, it can lead to other health problems. It drops you immune system down to zero, so I stay sick.

[Nighthawk76]

I knew nothing about this disease, Lauren. I'm very sorry to hear about your pain.

[LuLu Rogers]

Originally Posted by Crazy for Blair

I knew nothing about this disease, Lauren. I'm very sorry to hear about your pain.

Thanks Mike, that's why I want to educate people. People need to understand what is it, because more and more people are being diagnosed every day.

[Max Whittaker]

I wish you didn't have to go through so much pain.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

My aunt has Lupus. She's in her late twenties. I think she was diagnosed in her teens. I should e-mail her. Never did thank her for the Christmas present she sent.

I think you should email her.

[Jo_Luvs_Ketchup]

My mother has fibromyalgia. She was diagnosed a few years ago. It's a terrible disease to have. There are days when she is fine, but then there are others when she is all swollen and in pain! She can barely move on those days. My heart always goes out to anyone with this disease, since I see for myself how painful it is. God bless you Lauren!