Fibromyalgia
Friday, October 12, 2007 - Pain Management...Fibromyalgia
Posted in What is Fibromyalgia
For those who missed my earlier articles, here is one that gives an overview of fibromyalgia syndrome.

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:

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.

WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic

Edited by Ephraim K Brenman, DO on March 01, 2007
'Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2005

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Saturday, July 7, 2007 - Fibromyalgia, Catch-All Diagnosis?
Posted in What is Fibromyalgia
I have recently heard that instead of ignoring fibromyalgia as a real syndrome, some physicians
are now diagnosing fibromyalgia when they don't
know what is causing a person's symptoms. If the
persons thus diagnosed really have another syndrome or illness, it may not be caught. This
could lead to further problems or deteriorating
symptoms since they are not treated for their true illness.

Do you know of anyone who has been diagnosed
with fibromyalgia, only to later discover they had  a different illness?

DonnaZ

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Sunday, September 24, 2006 - Fibromyalgia--Disease or Syndrome?
Posted in What is Fibromyalgia
Is fibromyalgia a disease or a syndrome? In most literature it is categorized as a syndrome because there is no single cause known and there are no tests that can confirm the diagnosis. A disease has a known cause and can be identified by laboratory tests. A physician notes signs of fibromyalgia based on his physical exam plus the patient's input of symptoms that he/she is experiencing. Some laboratory tests are generally given to rule out other conditions. There can be a baffling variety of symptoms associated with this syndrome.

Fibromyalgia used to be called fibrositis or rheumatism. Some physicians feel it is similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or indeed the same syndrome. Fibromyalgia is a Greek term for "pain in the muscles".

With this syndrome there is widespread pain and profound fatigue. It has been referred to as the invisible disability. There are abnormalities in muscles, tendons and ligaments. This could be due to trauma from injury or surgery; inherited factors; or other unknown causes. There seems to be a myriad of what appear to be unconnected symptoms in an almost endless number of combinations. This makes it difficult to diagnose and treat.

More research is needed to determine the common factors, possible cause or causes, and potential treatment.
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http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
DonnaZ
You may reprint this article as long as you leave this resource box intact.
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Thursday, August 3, 2006 - Fibromyalgia--What is Wrong With Me?
Posted in What is Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is not technically a disease but is a syndrome, which means it has a collection of commonly occuring symptoms. There is no known cause and no cure at this time.  It was formerly known as fibrositis and long ago was called traveling lumbago.
Pain, stiffness, fatigue, breathing disturbances, sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, mood changes, irritability, anxiety, depression, migraine headaches, tension headaches, numbness or tingling of extremities, irritable bladder, and tenderness of muscles, tendons, and joints can all be present. Not every person with fibromyalgia experiences the same symptoms or all the possible symptoms but there are common symptoms as noted. Fibrofog, impaired memory, and fatigue are also symptoms.
Some of the theories about the causes of fibromyalgia include: trauma such as an automobile accident which starts the process; some type of infection; mental distress. Some people have a rather rapid onset of symptoms while in others it is more gradual with no discernible moment when it began.
Some people used to think it was related to chronic fatigue syndrome or was part of chronic fatigue syndrome but this no longer seems to be the case.
No deformity occurs to any part of the body so the signs are not visible. Some doctors still are not educated about this syndrome so many may be misdiagnosed. There are no tests to confirm the diagnosis. Instead, tests are given to rule out other diseases or disorders.
There is much mystery about this syndrome and no definite answers at this time. Hopefully through research more will be discovered about the causes and possible treatments for fibromyalgia syndrome.
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http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
DonnaZ
You may reprint this article but must leave this resource box intact.
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What are your experiences with fibromyalgia?

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Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - Questions and Answers About Fibromyalgia-What is Fibromyalgia?
Posted in What is Fibromyalgia
I will be posting articles from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin diseases. They are not copywrited and can be duplicated.
The first article is:
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia symdrome is a common and chronic disorder characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. The word fibro-
myalgia comes from the Latin term for fibrous tissue (fibro) and the Greek
ones for muscle (myo) and pain (algia).  Tender points are specific places
on the body-on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, and upper and lower extremities-where people with fibromyalgia feel pain in response to slight
pressure.

Although fibromyalgia is often considered an arthritis-related condition, it
is not truly a form of arthritis (a disease of the joints) because it does not cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles, or other tissues. Like arthritis,
however, fibromyalgia can cause significant pain and fatigue, and it can interfere with a person's ability to carry on daily activities. Also like arthritis,
fibromyalgia is considered a rheumatic condition.

You may wonder what exactly rheumatic means. Even physicians do not always agree on whether a disease is considered rheumatic.  If you look up the word in the dictionary, you'll find it comes from the Greek word rheum, which means flux-not an explanation that gives you a better understanding. In medicine, however, the term rheumatic means a medical condition that impairs the joints and/or soft tissues and causes chronic pain.

In addition to pain and fatigue, people who have fibromyalgia may experience
  • sleep disturbances
  • morning stiffness
  • headaches
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • painful menstrual periond
  • numbness or tingling of the extremities
  • restless legs syndrome
  • temperature sensitivity
  • cognitive and memory problems (sometimes referred to as "fibro fog") or
  • a variety of other symptoms
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease. Unlike a disease, which is a
medical condition with a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs,
symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause.
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http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
DonnaZ
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Sunday, April 23, 2006 - Fibromyalgia...Syndrome or Disease?
Posted in What is Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia...syndrome or disease?
Fibromyalgia is classified as a syndrome, not as a disease. What is the difference between syndrome and disease? A disease is a condition with a clearly identified cause. A syndrome refers to a set of symptoms which define a condition but there is not a single proven cause for the condition.
Fibromyalgia has not yet had a definite cause identified. There are various theories as to the cause. Therefore it is classified as a syndrome.
Fibromyalgia is also related to a number of other conditions such as depression, irritable bowel, headaches, chronic fatigue, tempomandibular joint syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and others.
To be diagnosed with fibromyalgia patients must ache all over and have tender points in up to 11 of 18 predetermined areas when slight pressure is applied. These bilateral tender points include:
  • Attachment of neck muscles at the base of the skull
  • Midway between neck and shoulder
  • Muscle over upper inner shoulder blade
  • Below side bone at elbow
  • Upper outer buttock
  • Hip bone
  • Just above the knee area on the inside of the leg
  • Front lower neck
  • Edge of upper breast bone
More research is needed to identify the cause or causes of fibromyalgia syndrome.

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You may reprint this article as long as you keep this resource box intact.
http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
DonnaZ
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Feel free to comment on this topic. Your comments can help others who have this condition.












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Thursday, April 20, 2006 - Fibromyalgia Facts
Posted in What is Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia Facts
About 5 million Americans suffer from a debilitating condition that was once dismissed by doctors as being an imaginery disease. This condition is called fibromyalgia. It is a chronic disorder characterized by sleep disturbances, widespread pain, and fatigue. Some other symptoms include: irritable bowel syndrome, chronic headaches, sensitivity to light, odors, or sounds, TMJ, dizziness, fibrofog, poor concentration, depression, painful periods, overactive bladder, and many others.

Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, tendons...the soft or fibrous tissues of the body.
Many fibromyalgia sufferers say it is similar to the aches and pains you feel when you have the flu. People with fibromyalgia most commonly experience pain in the neck, shoulders, back and hips.

There are no lab tests to diagnose fibromyalgia but they can rule out other conditions. To make the diagnosis of fibromyalgia the doctor determines whether you have had widespread pain lasting more than three months. The pain must be in at least three of the four quadrants of your body...the left and right sides; above and below the waist. There are 18 specific tender points on your body. You must feel pain in at least 6 of these areas when pressure is applied in order to be given the fibromyalgia diagnosis. Some doctors require that the pain be felt in more than 6 of these areas before making the diagnosis.

People describe the pain of fibromyalgia as deep muscle aching, throbbing, stabbing, shooting, and/or burning pain. Muscle stiffness is generally present.

Fatigue may range from mild to incapicitating.  Some people are able to hold down a job while others are unable to do so.

Most patients with fibromyalgia experience sleep disorders . They experience unfreshing sleep. They may also have sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome. Some have painful muscle spasms which keep them from lying down comfortably.

This disorder is seen in family members so may have some inherited factor. It is more common in women than men.

Although the pain is similar to that of arthritis, there is no joint deformity or deterioration. However, it is possible to have both fibromyalgia and arthritis so symptoms may overlap.

Researchers have not yet found a definite cause. There are many theories about what causes fibromyalgia but no answers yet.
___________________________________________________________________________________
You may reprint this article as long as you leave this resource box intact.
http://www.bizzyblogz.com/fibromyalgia
DonnaZ
____________________________________________________________________________________
Feel free to comment on this article. Your experiences with fibromyalgia may be helpful to others who suffer from this condition.
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This blog is dedicated to those who have fibromyalgia. Some of the topics will be: causes and symptoms of fibromyalgia, lifestyle changes, excercise, fibromyalgia support, medications, research into fibromyalgia, what is fibromyalgia and other related topics.

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