|
|
|
|
|
FIBROMYALGIA
What
it is believed to be:
A brief explanation of fibro
from "FIBROMYALGIA ADVOCATE", by Devin Starlanyl
"Fibromyalgia
seems to be the result of many neurotransmitter cascades (Fibromyalgia
Advocate, Chapter 2). A neurotransmitter cascade is like a
waterfall that starts at the top and bounces off rocks and ridges on
the way down, wearing down rock, moving gravel, and changing the
river as it goes. The neurotransmitter cascade can cause
changes throughout your body, and many of these changes start
cascades of their own. Once they get going, a combination of
peripheral and central factors join in to make the changes chronic,
and the result is what we call fibromyalgia. Every patient may
have different "informational substances" disrupted in
different ways... that is why we all experience this slightly
differently. It is believed to be caused by a greater than
normal amount of SUBSTANCE P which helps the brain receive pain
signals. People with fibro have MORE substance P than
"normal". This is the reason for the
antidepressants. It is not because we are depressed or that
depression causes fibro.... (but of course you can have fibro and
depression also). Antidepressants raise Seratonin levels and
Seratonin counteracts the Substance P, so in many people it helps
the pain. "
Many doctors would often just write a prescription for an
antidepressant with no explanation to the patient and thus,
misconception that Fibro patients are just depressed, was born.
FIBROMYALGIA
SYMPTOMS
Soft
Tissue Pain
is the primary symptom of FMS, usually occurring at 11 of 18
specified Tender Point sites. ( Note: tender points are NOT the same
thing as trigger points.)
Tender points will hurt when pressed, but the pressure will
not cause pain in any other part of the body.
Trigger points cause Myofascial Pain Syndrome, and refer pain to
other parts of the body. This is a different condition than
fibro but people with Fibro may, of course, have both. For
Fibro, tender points are used for diagnosis.
This
Chart illustrates the 9 areas of TENDER POINT pairs. Generally, to
be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a patient would react to pressure as
pain in a minimum of 11 of these 18 points
 |
Pain
detected by palpation at certain characteristic sites, were
discovered by researchers about 20 years ago, which have become
the hallmark for diagnosing Fibromyalgia. (note: poking at these
yourself generally will not elicit the same response...)
Sleep Disturbance occurs in 90% of FMS patients in one or
more of the following forms of insomnia: difficulty falling
asleep, frequent awakenings, inability to fall back to sleep,
tossing and turning all night and early morning awakenings.
Fatigue is a major symptom of Fibromyalgia.
Neurological Symptoms occur in about 25% of FMS patients
and are reported as numbness and tingling in arms and legs,
hands feel clumsy and swollen.
Headaches as a regular experience are reported by over
40% of FMS patients. |
|
|
Irritable
Bowel Syndrome
is reported by 30% of FMS patients, whose experience includes
intermittent bouts of diarrhea, constipation, crampy abdominal
pain, bloating, gas and other digestive difficulties.
Interstitial
cystitis (IC) - Health Encyclopedia - Online-Ambulance
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) which is an
inflammatory (possibly autoimmune) disorder affecting the wall
of the bladder.
Subjective Swelling frequently reported as a
swelling sensation of the hands, feet and ankles when there
is no visible or palpable swelling present. Joint
pain in the hands, wrists, elbows, neck, chest wall, hip,
knee, ankles and feet are frequently reported by FMS patients.
Chest Wall Pain is reported by about 33% of FMS
patients and before diagnostic tests are performed is mistaken
for heart abnormalities.
Cold Sensitivity is reported by many FMS patients, and
almost 40% also have symptoms to those of Raynauds phenomenon,
a condition in which small blood vessels in the hand over
respond to cold and develop spasms.
Memory and Concentration Difficulties are reported by
25% of FMS patients.
* Source: The Fibromyalgia Help Book, Fransen and Russell, pp
7 - 14
These are some of the more common symptoms.. you need not have
ALL of them to have Fibromyalgia and you may have others not
listed here. The only way to know for sure is to be
diagnosed by a doctor who is KNOWLEDGEABLE about Fibromyalgia.
Seizures are not a symptom of Fibromyalgia as some people have
been misled to believe.
~~ WHAT FIBROMYALGIA IS NOT ~~
We have found NO research or evidence that indicates
Fibromyalgia is: contagious, a virus or progressive (definition
of a progressive disease," a disease that grows and spreads
until it ultimately results in death") and color DOES NOT
cause seizures in people with Fibromyalgia in spite of what you
may have heard! Photosensitive epilepsy is a rare condition in a
small minority of epileptics.. it is related to light speed, NOT
color and has NOTHING to do with fibro. A link to read
more...
Epilepsy
Action: Photosensitive Epilepsy
IS Fibromyalgia a diagnosis of exclusion??
You
may also read, on some poorly researched websites or outdated
books, that FIBROMYALGIA is a DIAGNOSIS of exclusion. It
is a diagnosis that can be made on its own and can coexist with
other conditions. This distinguishes Fibromyalgia from
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which at present is still considered a
diagnosis of exclusion.
Fibromyalgia:
Not a diagnosis of exclusion
Researchers
are working on more and more ways to "see" clinical
evidence of fibro.. this is just a beginning...
Fibromyalgia
Pain Is Real
WHO
GETS FIBRO?
Fibromyalgia effects both men and women,
from all ethnic backgrounds. It also can effect children.
What are often called "growing pains" and
sleeplessness and the inability to sit still can often be
undiagnosed fibromyalgia symptoms in children. Children
with fibro can be misdiagnosed as having ADD or hyperactivity
disorders. A good pediatrician or pediatric rheumatologist
can differentiate between these conditions.
For further information about FIBROMYALGIA in Children:
Fibromyalgia
in children, pain, sleep, insomnia
Fibromyalgia
in Children
eMedicine
- Fibromyalgiain children: Article by Angelo P Giardino, MD, PhD
Fibro and Pregnancy
If
you are contemplating having children or having more children
and are wondering how pregnancy will effect your fibro, these
links may help:
Q&A
with Dr. Mark J. Pellegrino: Fibromyalgia and Pregnancy
Dealing
with Fibromyalgia during Pregnancy
Pregnancy
and Childbirth - Understanding the Link between Pregnancy and
Fibro
InteliHealth:
Fibromyalgia and pregnancy
~~ FIBRO READING~~
There are many excellent fibro books, magazine
and articles available now.
Here are some of our favorites:
Fibromyalgia
for Dummies
by Roland Staud (Author), Christine A. Adamec (Author)
(Paperback)
and some new research by DR STAUD
Health
News Articles: Reuters.com
Fibromyalgia
and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual (2nd Edition)
Edition
by Devin J. Starlanyl, Mary Ellen Copeland (Paperback)
Parting
the Fog: The Personal Side of Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome
by
Sue Jones
The
Arthritis Foundation's Guide to Good Living with Fibromyalgia,
2nd Edition
by
The Arthritis Foundation (Editor) (Paperback)
The
Fibromyalgia Help Book: Practical Guide to Living Better with
Fibromyalgia
by
Fransen and Russell
Many, many new books appear often. Explore your bookstore
and see what appeals to you...
For those that suffer with Interstitial Cystitis an excellent
book to read is
You
Don't Have to Live With Cystitis by
Larrian Gillespie
~~
Weekly Charts ~~
It sometimes helps to control pain, if we have a record
of how and when it occurs. You may find this chart by
Brenda Lee of help in tracking your pain.
|
|
Copyright 2007 Fibro
Welcome Package
Write to:
Rose:
TNsLittleRiver@aol.com
Micki: Micki55555@aol.com
|
All rights reserved.
No portion
of www.webersons.com/FibroWelcomePackage
may be duplicated, redistributed or
manipulated in any form without the written permission of the owners.
Charts may be printed out for personal individual use, if
copyright information is not altered. This site may contain links to websites
not administered by Micki55555 and she is not responsible or liable
for the accuracy or the content of linked pages. No medical
treatment or product is endorsed. Any information provided
herein is for you to read and research, and then discuss with your own
doctor. All original work, art and writing are copyright
protected. Designated trademarks and brands and copyrights are
the property of their respective owners. Please email Micki if
any infringement of copyright laws is detected. |
|
|
|
