Improved
6112 HealthChanged
3785 LivesSaved
3568 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
When we feel ill, it's always our decision to visit a physician hoping to find treatment and lessen any discomfort. But what happens if the doctors dismiss your illness because it is only in your mind, a sort of psychological problem?
There is nothing more frustrating than knowing that you are physically in pain and doctors cannot find a diagnosis for your illness.
This is the case of fibromyalgia (sometimes referred as FM or FMS). It is a chronic condition of widespread mascular pain and fatigue. Its cause is still unknown however common recognizable syndromes include diffuse pain in your muscles, tendons and ligaments, fatigue, sleep and mood disturbance, difficulty in swallowing, dispersed sensations of numbness and tingling and abnormal bowel and bladder functionalities.
However, these syndromes are not prevalent in all patients and the degree of their syndrome experience varies from one patient to the other.
There is no laboratory test available for fibromyalgia patients. Physical exams will only show the presence of pain but in a modest palpation of the tender points. There are 18 specified tender points in our body. The anatomical locations of these tender points are the attachment of neck muscles at the base of the skull, midway between neck and shoulder, muscle over upper inner shoulder blade, 2 cms below side bone at elbow, upper outer buttock, hip bone, just above knee on inside, lower neck in front and edge of upper breast bone.
A person suffering with fibromyalgia is believed to experience pain for at least in the 11 tender points when 4 kg of pressure is applied.
Because of its complicated nature and vague criteria of diagnosis which often resembles the symptoms of other conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis, doctors dismiss the fibromyalgia patients. They perceive the patient suffers from some psychological problem or a certain brain dysfunction that allows FMS patients to experience pain in extensive level compared to others who don’t have the fibromyalgia symptoms.
The pain attributed to fibromyalgia is described as deep-aching, burning, radiating and gnawing stretching from mild to severe.
So far there are only three FDA approved medications for fibromyalgia however patients respond differently to different medications. The limited availability of multiple medications strains treatment because the degree of pain that the fibromyalgia patients experience varies in every patient. The only remedy now for FMS patients who haven’t found the right treatment is to control the symptoms and minimize the discomfort brought by this disorder.
Sleep disturbance is medicated through anti-depressants and sleeping pills which is used for certain time frame while muscle pain is medicated by muscle relaxants and drugs for anti seizure and analgesics. Other fibromyalgia patients opt for alternative medications such as therapy, acupuncture, and massage.
Patients may take varied course of actions to reduce the chronic pain but general health condition is still vital for overcoming any symptoms of fibromyalgia. Keeping a healthy lifestyle, proper diet, regular exercise and living a less stressful life though will not lead to curing the illness but is substantial to cope up with the fibromyalgia syndromes.
Cyra Miles is a daytime corporate slave and a passionate freelance writer at night. Visit http://www.cyramiles.com or follow her at http://www.thepassionateslave.com.
Add a Comment1 Comments
Appreciate Cyra's comments regarding Fibromyalgia. While I am fortunate not to suffer from FMS, I do suffer terribly from it's sister disease CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrom) which mirror many of the same symptoms as FMS. For three years I underwent many exams and various medications from M.D.'s with no results in improvement...they just shrugged their shoulders and told me they did'nt know what the problem was. I was just about to give up and figured if this was part of getting older I didn't want any part of it. Luckily a friend mentioned her N.P.(Naturapathic Physician) who worked with FMS patients and suggested I try her. She determined that I had CFS not FMS. I shared this information with my M.D., however, she refused to acknowledge the disease and even refused to work with the licensed, certified, N.P. Part of the problem with these diseases and M.D.'s is the tests they order do not find most of the typical problems of CFS. Only after I had taken extensive tests odered by my N.P., using my blood serum, saliva, and deeper levels of thyroid testing, was it discovered that my adrenal gland was almost non-functioning which caused a severe imbalance of my thyroid (all the usual form of blood tests previously taken by the M.D.'s came back as normal). Also, over the years stress had created a problem with my neuro-transmitter levels which were also not previously indicated, but, again the problem was located only after using the tests order by my N.P. Please note this is not to say an N.P. is the only answer to all health problems...they will honestly acknowledge this fact and are pleased to work with an M.D. in order to bring the quality of your life back. Yes, there is a need for both physicians in your life, but here's the tricky part...to find an Medical Doctor that will work with a Naturapathic Physician. You cannot imagine how wonderful it is to have the energy to function normally and to eliminate the "brain fog" that is a big part of CFS. My life is absolutely terrific and I almost feel like I'm 20 again. That is such a gift for a 73 year old babe. I wish all you CFS sufferers good luck and warm wishes that you find help. SueB
March 27, 2009 - 11:49amThis Comment