Purple Ribbons for Support

Have you heard of Fibromyalgia before?

Yes, I have it.	20.1%	[ 37 ]
Yes, I know someone who has it.	28.8%	[ 53 ]
Vaguely, I knew it exists.	29.9%	[ 55 ]
Nope, never.	21.2%	[ 39 ]
Total Votes:			[ 184 ]

[Rinoa2000]

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Introduction & Welcome
The Reason for the Thread
Ten Basic Facts To Know
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Specific Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Resources & Literature

Welcome! I’m glad you were able to find this thread. Of course I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself “why did I click on this? There is way too much reading.” No worries, you don’t have to read all of it, read as much or as little as you’d like. I’m sure you are also thinking “oh great, another whiny thread about someone groaning and moaning about this disease no one has ever heard of.” I can assure you that is not and has never been the reason for this thread.

[Rinoa2000]

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Introduction & Welcome
The Reason for the Thread
Ten Basic Facts To Know
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Specific Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Resources & Literature

The goal of this thread is not to simply have people who pity those with Fibromyalgia. That is honestly the worst thing you can do for the person. Why? Because you only make them feel all the more pathetic despite the good intentions. The real goal of thread is this:

1. Spreading The Word
In reality, there are still tons of doctors and debates going on about whether Fibromyalgia exists or is simply in someone’s head. I can rest assure you that Fibromyalgia is indeed a real auto-immune disease and it is not simply a mind game.

2. Place Of Support
For those who are unfortunately affected every day by Fibromyalgia are free to come in and join in the conversation and find some relief or support from others who share the disease. Feel free to discuss and express your failures and triumphs, fears and accomplishments of overcoming them and just dealing with the everyday life of dealing with this auto-immune disease.

[Rinoa2000]

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Introduction & Welcome
The Reason for the Thread
Ten Basic Facts To Know
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Specific Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Resources & Literature

1. Fibromyalgia is primarily characterized by widespread muscle pain and tenderness.
Fibromyalgia does not cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles, or other tissues. Therefore, it is not a disease of the joints but is arthritis-related. In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology established criteria to diagnose fibromyalgia:

• A history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body (e.g. above the waist on both sides; below the waist on both sides of the body) for three months or more.
• Pain at 11 of 18 tender point sites

2. Fibromyalgia can occur as a primary or secondary condition.
Fibromyalgia can occur as a primary syndrome characterized by muscular pain or as a secondary syndrome to other rheumatic diseases. It is possible to have fibromyalgia syndrome as well as another rheumatic disease.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or ankylosing spondylitis are at increased risk of also developing fibromyalgia syndrome. Those patients may wonder if they have symptoms which are common to two conditions (i.e. overlapping symptoms) or if they actually have two distinct conditions.

3. Fibromyalgia is often misunderstood and symptoms are often unrecognized, causing the syndrome to remain undiagnosed for months or years.
Fibromyalgia symptoms are often confused with symptoms typically linked to another condition. Fibromyalgia symptoms can mimic or overlap symptoms associated with other rheumatic diseases. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it takes about five years on average to get an accurate diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

4. Ninety percent of fibromyalgia patients suffer with severe fatigue or a sleep disorder.
Fatigue and sleep problems are a major characteristic associated with fibromyalgia. Therefore, problems which develop because of poor sleep, also referred to as non-restorative sleep, are problematic as well (i.e. cognitive problems, memory lapses, lack of energy).

5. Fibromyalgia is associated with additional symptoms which seem distinct themselves but are actually included in fibromyalgia syndrome.
Other than muscular pain, fatigue, and tenderness, fibromyalgia patients also may experience:

• headaches
• irritable bladder or bowel
• memory problems
• temporomandibular joint disorder
• pelvic pain
• noise sensitivity
• temperature sensitivity
• restless leg syndrome
• depression
• anxiety

6. There are psychological as well as physical aspects associated with fibromyalgia.
In a study of 307 patients evaluated over an 11-year period (reported at an American College of Rheumatology meeting by Yunus and colleagues), one-third of patients had severe physical as well as severe psychological issues. One-third had mild psychological and moderate physical issues. Another third had moderate pyschological symptoms with mild physical symptoms.

7. Since there is so much variability in fibromyalgia, the syndrome does not manifest itself identically in all patients.
Since not all fibromyalgia patients experience the same symptoms, there may be sub-types of fibromyalgia which may be discovered later and would influence treatment choices. Until the cause of fibromyalgia is determined, the variability of symptoms will remain part of the puzzle.

8. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia focuses on tender points but there is no definitive diagnostic test for fibromyalgia such as a blood test or X-ray.
Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is solely based on symptoms which are presented and on a physical examination. If diagnostic tests are ordered, it is to rule out other conditions or find out more about other symptoms.

9. Medication and non-medication treatments are used to manage fibromyalgia.
Medications are used to treat pain, improve sleep, and manage depression and anxiety. Your physician will determine what to prescribe based on symptoms presented. Alternative treatments which focus on pain relief and stress relief also benefit many fibromyalgia patients.

10. Fibromyalgia affects more women than men. The prevalence of fibromyalgia is between two and four percent of the population.
Though the statistics reveal the prevalence of fibromyalgia, statistics do not reveal how many people live well with fibromyalgia and have successfully managed the syndrome to the degree of maintaining good quality of life. It's important to get a proper diagnosis and to follow a treatment regiment which affords you a good quality of life despite your diagnosis.

[Rinoa2000]

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Introduction & Welcome
The Reason for the Thread
Ten Basic Facts To Know
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Specific Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Resources & Literature

Fibromyalgia is a common condition characterized by long-term, body-wide pain and tender points in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, morning stiffness, sleep problems, headaches, numbness in hands and feet, depression, and anxiety.

Fibromyalgia can develop on its own or along with other musculoskeletal conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Alternative Names: Fibromyositis; Fibrositis

wahmbulance New Discovery Alert wahmbulance

WASHINGTON, October 17, 2013— The National Biotechnology Information Center (NBIC) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently released the findings of research funded by grants from Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals and Forest Laboratories that claim to have discovered a causative pathology (the science of cause and effect) for fibromyalgia.

The cause of the disease escaped researchers for years. In fact, the condition was considered by many in the field of medicine as psychosomatic (in the mind) because of the variety of symptoms that could not be clinically pinned down and patient reporting was the primary criteria.
Dr. Frank Rice writes of findings at Integrated Tissue Dynamics that has made a major discovery of the cause of fibromyalgia, making diagnosis more certain and explaining the multitude of varied symptoms and effect.

Research has identified alterations in our core body temperature is a culprit, as our blood acts as a coolant in much the same fashion water does in the radiator of a car. Our major organs and active muscles require a constant temperature of about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit but sufferers cannot maintain a steady temperature.

If we lose too much heat (hypothermia) or gain too much heat (hyperthermia), our body’s primary thermostat, the hypothalamus, struggles to maintain balance. Our blood is the means by which our body and brain get nutrients, oxygen and takes away waste and blood flow is disrupted.
When we use our muscles, particularly the hands and feet, blood flows between the skin and muscles and must be kept in balance. We have internal thermostat controls distant from the hypothalamus called aterio-venous shunts or AV shunts that act as valves between arterioles or veins that supply the good stuff and venules which carry away waste. Much as the body as a whole, these must be in synch for homeostasis.

The smallest part of our blood supply system is the capillaries which are tiny vessels that act as temperature regulators (among many other functions) and either conserve or release heat. Capillaries run throughout or bodies and are highly concentrated in our hands and feet. It has long been known that when malfunctioned from injury or another pathological issue, capillary function is diminished causing problems for diabetics.

Now it has been discovered when the AV shunt is defective in function and interferes with capillary function, muscle and skin tissue cannot get proper nutrition or waste drawn away. Additionally, temperature regulation becomes an issue affecting nerve fibers.

One result is a build-up of lactic acid in muscle and deeper tissue affecting the muscular system and causes pain that can seem to ‘travel’ from areas of the body one day to the next and cause fatigue, commonly reported from victims of fibromyalgia.

The sympathetic nervous system which uses the spinal cord for communication and the sensory fibers or nerve fibers that carry signals to the central nervous system, can have their communication disrupted by the results of AV shunt disorder and hypersensitized nerves send pain signals that can ‘travel’ as well.

The American Academy of Pain Medicine featured this research on its front cover accompanied by a laudatory editorial from Robert Gerwin of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. To date, the research is confined to women since women seem to suffer from fibromyalgia in greater numbers than men.

According to this research, fibromyalgia has pathology and is not psychosomatic so those who suffer from this ‘syndrome’ can now rest assured it is not all in their minds.

Paul Mountjoy is a Virginia based writer and psychotherapist.

Source (pulled 1-9-14)

[Rinoa2000]

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Introduction & Welcome
The Reason for the Thread
Ten Basic Facts To Know
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Specific Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Resources & Literature

The cause of this disorder is unknown. Physical or emotional trauma may play a role in development of the syndrome. Some evidence suggests that fibromyalgia patients have abnormal pain transmission responses.

It has been suggested that sleep disturbances, which are common in fibromyalgia patients, may actually cause the condition. Another theory suggests that the disorder may be associated with changes in skeletal muscle metabolism, possibly caused by decreased blood flow, which could cause chronic fatigue and weakness.

Others have suggested that an infectious microbe, such as a virus, triggers the illness. At this point, no such virus or microbe has been identified.

Pilot studies have shown a possible inherited tendency toward the disease, though evidence is very preliminary.

Men and women of all ages get fibromyalgia, but the disorder is most common among women aged 20 to 50.

wahmbulance New Discovery Alert wahmbulance

Fibromyalgia Mystery Finally Solved!
Researchers Find Main Source of Pain in Blood Vessels

Researchers have found the main source of pain in Fibromyalgia patients, and contrary to what many believe, it does not stem from the brain. The findings mark the end of a decades-old mystery about the disease, which many doctors believed was conjured in patients’ imaginations. The mystery of Fibromyalgia has left millions of sufferers searching for hope in pain medications. Up until recently, many physicians thought that the disease was “imaginary” or psychological, but scientists have now revealed that the main source of pain stems from a most unlikely place- excess blood vessels in the hand.

The discovery may lead to new treatments and perhaps even a total cure in the future, bringing relief to as many as 5 million Americans thought to have the disease. To solve the Fibromyalgia mystery, researchers zeroed in on the skin from the hand of one patient who had a lack of the sensory nerve fibers, causing a reduced reaction to pain. They then took skin samples from the hands of Fibromyalgia patients and were surprised to find an extremely excessive amount of a particular type of nerve fiber called arteriole-venule (AV) shunts.

Up until this point scientists had thought that these fibers were only responsible for regulating blood flow, and did not play any role in pain sensation, but now they’ve discovered that there is a direct link between these nerves and the widespread body pain that Fibromyalgia sufferers feel.
The breakthrough also could solve the lingering question of why many sufferers have extremely painful hands as well as other “tender points” throughout the body, and why cold weather seems to aggravate the symptoms. In addition to feeling widespread deep tissue pain, many Fibromyalgia patients also suffer from debilitating fatigue.

Neuroscientist Dr. Frank L. Rice explained: “We previously thought that these nerve endings were only involved in regulating blood flow at a subconscious level, yet here we had evidences that the blood vessel endings could also contribute to our conscious sense of touch… and also pain,” Rice said. “This mismanaged blood flow could be the source of muscular pain and achiness, and the sense of fatigue which are thought to be due to a build-up of lactic acid and low levels of inflammation fibromyalgia patients. This, in turn, could contribute to the hyperactivity in the brain.”

Current treatments for the disease have not brought complete relief to the millions of sufferers. Therapies include narcotic pain medicines; anti-seizure drugs, anti-depressants and even simple advice such as “get more sleep and exercise regularly.” Now that the cause of Fibromyalgia has been pinpointed, patients are looking forward to an eventual cure. Other expressed frustration about how much they had suffered already:

“When are they ever going to figure out that things are never “all in your head?” said one commenter. “Whenever something doesn’t fit in their tiny little understanding, they belittle the patient and tell them they are crazy. People have suffered through this since they were invented. Prescribing SSRIs for everything is not the answer any more than a lobotomy or hysterectomy was.”

The announcement has the potential to unlock better future treatments and undoubtedly has patients all over the world rejoicing that the mystery of Fibromyalgia has finally been solved.

Source (Pulled 2-27-14)

[Rinoa2000]

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Introduction & Welcome
The Reason for the Thread
Ten Basic Facts To Know
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Specific Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Resources & Literature

The overwhelming characteristic of fibromyalgia is long-standing, body-wide pain with defined tender points. Tender points are distinct from trigger points seen in other pain syndromes. Unlike tender points, trigger points can occur in isolation and represent a source of radiating pain, even in the absence of direct pressure.

Fibromyalgia pain can mimic the pain that occurs with various types of arthritis. However, the significant swelling, destruction, and deformity of joints seen in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis does not occur with fibromyalgia syndrome alone.

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 wake up with body aches and stiffness.

For some patients, pain improves during the day and increases again during the evening, though many patients with fibromyalgia have day-long, unrelenting pain. Pain can increase with activity, cold or damp weather, anxiety, and stress.

[Rinoa2000]

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Introduction & Welcome
The Reason for the Thread
Ten Basic Facts To Know
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Specific Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Resources & Literature

• Body aches
• Chronic facial muscle pain or aching
• Fatigue
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Memory difficulties and cognitive difficulties
• Multiple tender areas (muscle and joint pain) on the back of the neck, shoulders, sternum, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, knees
• Numbness and tingling
• Palpitations
• Reduced exercise tolerance
• Sleep disturbances
• Tension or migraine headaches

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia requires a history of a least 3 months of widespread pain, and pain and tenderness in at least 11 of 18 tender-point sites. These tender-point sites include fibrous tissue or muscles of the:

• Arms (elbows)
• Buttocks
• Chest
• Knees
• Lower back
• Neck
• Rib cage
• Shoulders
• Thighs

Sometimes, laboratory and x-ray tests are done to help confirm the diagnosis by ruling out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. The following conditions have been associated with fibromyalgia or mimic its symptoms:

• Cancer
• Cervical and low-back degenerative disease
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Depression
• HIV infection
• Hypothyroidism
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lyme disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sleep disorders

[Rinoa2000]

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Introduction & Welcome
The Reason for the Thread
Ten Basic Facts To Know
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Specific Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Resources & Literature

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. Many fibromyalgia sufferers have found support groups helpful.

In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration approved Pregabalin (Lyrica) as the first drug for the treatment of fibromyalgia. In June 2008, a second drug, Cymbalta, which was previously approved for treating depression, was FDA approved for treating fibromyalgia as well. In 2009 the FDA approved milnacipran (Savella) for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Certain classes of antidepressant medications are sometimes prescribed for the disorder. Studies show that antidepressants in low doses can decrease depression, relax craniofacial and skeletal muscles, improve sleep quality, and release pain-killing endorphins. Other medications that are used include anti-inflammatory pain medications and medications that work on pain transmission pathways, such as Gabapentin.

Eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding caffeine may help with problems sleeping, and may help reduce the severity of the symptoms. Lifestyle measures to improve the quality of sleep can be effective for fibromyalgia.

Some reports indicate that fish oil, magnesium/malic acid combinations, or vitamins may be effective. Reducing stress and improving coping skills may also help reduce painful symptoms.

Improved fitness through exercise is recommended. Studies have shown that fibromyalgia symptoms can be relieved by aerobic exercise. The best way to begin a fitness program is to start with short sessions of just a few minutes of gentle, low-impact exercises such as walking and swimming. The length of each session can be increased slowly, as tolerated. Attempts at keeping to an exercise program often fail because they are begun too aggressively, with sessions that are too long or too intense. Starting out slowly and gently can help ease you into an effective program you can stick with.

Starting slowly helps stretch and mobilize tight, sore muscles. High-impact aerobics and weight lifting could cause increased discomfort. Symptoms may be relieved by gentle stretching and light massage, as well as acupressure, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques.

Severe cases of fibromyalgia may require a referral to a pain clinic.

[Rinoa2000]

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Introduction & Welcome
The Reason for the Thread
Ten Basic Facts To Know
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Specific Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Resources & Literature

Fibromyalgia is a common and chronic problem. The symptoms sometimes improve. At other times, the symptoms may worsen and continue for months or years. The key is seeking professional help which includes a multi-faceted approach to the management and treatment of the disease. There is no proof that fibromyalgia syndrome results in an increased death rate.

Call your health-care provider if you have symptoms of fibromyalgia.

[Rinoa2000]

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Introduction & Welcome
The Reason for the Thread
Ten Basic Facts To Know
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Specific Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Resources & Literature

There is no proven prevention for this disorder. However, over the years, the treatment and management of the disease has improved.

[Rinoa2000]

Fibromyalgia Awareness

Introduction & Welcome
The Reason for the Thread
Ten Basic Facts To Know
Overview
Causes
Symptoms
Specific Symptoms
Treatment
Prognosis
Prevention
Resources & Literature

Listed below are trusted links that can educate you more if you want to further your thirst for knowledge on this disorder. Also, I have provided books you can purchase or possibly borrow from your library if you would like to study this further.

Online Resources

- Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079
- NFA (National Fibromyalgia Association): http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServerded3.html?pagename=fibromyalgia
- Web MD: http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/default.htm
- E Medicine Health: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/fibromyalgia/article_em.htm

Literature Resources

- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual (2nd Edition) by Devin J. Starlanyl & Mary Ellen Copeland
- Freedom from Fibromyalgia : The 5-Week Program Proven to Conquer Pain by Nancy Selfridge & Franklynn Peterson
- What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia : The Revolutionary Treatment That Can Reverse The Disease by R. Paul St. Amand & laudia Craig Marek
- Fibromyalgia For Dummies 2nd Edition by Roland Staud & Christine Adamec
- Fibromyalgia Controversy by M. Clement Hall

[Centipedes In Utero]

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We had one of these before, but I think it died pretty fast.

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[Rinoa2000]

@ Centipedes In Utero:
There is nothing wrong with trying again though.

[Rinoa2000]

Feel free to post

[Rinoa2000]

-waits for someone to talk to-