Welcome To My Page About Fibromyalgia!!

I am an attractive individual, who incidentally looks at least ten years younger, looks physically fit, in shape and healthy. Unfortunately, that is often my nemesis. Most people would be glad to look like me, and truly I thank god that I am blessed with a fine physical appearance. Nonetheless, it is often to my detriment. You see, I suffer from a chronic pain syndrome called Fibromyalgia Syndrome and have lived with it for the past 16 years. Although I look well, I suffer in pain every waking moment of my life.Looking at me, you would never believe that anything was wrong. Most of us who suffer from this condition tend to be "A" personality types. Type A personality individuals live in a state of constant self-imposed stress. We tend to be perfectionists, over achievers, who constantly plan ahead and are unable to relax. The word"no" is not apart of our vocabulary. We do not allow ourselves to give in to the syndrome. Even though we are generally in constant, often severe, pain, we smile and put on a happy face. We take on life's daily responsibilities and expectations with a vengance, doing everything that needs to be done, and more, regardless of how we feel physically. We tend to keep ourselves looking good, and work hard at everything we do. Our behaviour and lifestyle often promotes our disorder.

The number of people with chronic pain conditions, such as Fibromyalgia Syndrome presenting themselves to health care practitioners, seems to be on the rise, reaching epidemic proportions. As there is no definitive diagnostic test or treatment for this syndrome, patients usually desperately turn from doctors to physiotherapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, nutritionists, naturopaths or various other alternative therapies for help. Some of us who have been told that our symptoms "are all in our mind", have sought the help of psychiatrists, psychotherapists or spiritual guides. In my 16 years, I have tried them all, looking for answers.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a Rheumatic condition. Rheumatism refers to aches and pains that originate in the bones and joints and their soft supporting tissues-such as muscles,tendons and ligaments. It is a generic term that covers all our musculoskeletal aches and pains. The name Fibromyalgia combines the words "fibrous" which refers to the fibrous connective tissue in the muscles and "myalgia" which means muscle aches. A "syndrome" is a collection of symptoms or characteristics that constitute a disorder. This condition has been called by many other names, but is now regularly known as Fibromyalgia Syndrome(FMS).

Science has not as yet found a definitive cause or cure for FMS. It is a complicated condition, often highly misunderstood. Far too long, people have been in the dark about this syndrome. Although more and more research is being done (especially in the area of Central Nervous System functioning) and professionals are being educated, there still exists a lack of understanding and many differences in opinion within modern medicine. As a result, sufferers have suffered silently or faced confusion about what to do to improve the quality of their lives! We are often misdiagnosed or told we are hypochondriacs, crazy, neurotic, weak, etc. Presently, there are still numerous doctors who believe this syndrome to be psychosomatic. We are often told to get on with our lives, but no one talks about the QUALITY of life.

Fibromyalgia appears to result from a confluence of causes. Many elements combine to produce this disorder. There seems to be a definite susceptibility to it on the part of the sufferer. Enviromental and psychological components, interacting in a particular manner contribute to this syndrome. Diverse factors play important roles, ie. adverse internal and external stress, muscle strain, muscle fatigue or imbalance, injury, concern or fear, anxiety, etc. The causes are numerous and involve the enviroment, body and mind. The specific primary symptoms of FMS include muscle aches and pain, prominent stiffness, fatigue, muscle tender points in specific areas and a lack of a feeling of well being. Consistent findings on physical exam is the presence of tender points in muscles and where tendons insert onto bone. To be diagnosed as having FMS, generalized aches and pains must be present in anatomic sites for at least three months. Some doctors say local tenderness should be present at at least three specified sites, while others say twelve sites. Disturbed sleeppatterns, although common in people with FMS, is not an expected criteria for diagnosis. There must also exist a lack of objective findings, such as an absence of anything abnormal in laboratory tests routinely used by doctors (x-rays, biopsies of muscles, blood tests, etc.). There is no development of joint destruction, no crippling, and no deformity. However, it should be noted that people with FMS tend to have low levels or an imbalance in the levels of Seratonin and raised levels of Substance P. Although there are no specific diagnostic lab tests for fibromyalgia, it is important to follow through with a number of medical tests to rule out several conditions that could be confused with FMS and to help avoid a misdiagnosis.

FMS is quite common and yet unique. It is prevalent among the general population, but is most often found in young or middle-aged people, during the most productive years of their lives. It is the second or third rheumatic complaint seen by physicians and although both men and women can develop this disorder, it is more common for women to seek out help and ultimately be diagnosed. It has been found in children as well. Although FMS is dominated by chronic muscle aches and pains, it is common for sufferers to develop secondary or associated conditions and symptoms. It is not purely a muscular problem. Individuals may have one or more of the following:

Fatigue and Exaustion

Irritible bowel

IBS is a group of symptoms that result from hyperactivity of the bowels, primarely the colon. No organic diseases exists, but rather, motility is abnormal. Sufferers may experience abdominal pain, diarhea or constipation.

Irritable bladder

Indigestion

Sleep disturbances

FMS sufferers experience poor sleep, or more specifically "non restorative sleep". Sufferers do not get into the fourth stage of sleep, the deepest stage of sleep, when muscles regenerate. This crucial stage enables people to feel revitalized and rejuvinated in the morning. FMS sufferers wake withought feeling that their energy has been restored! Instead, we experience fatigue, and a worsening of our aches, pains and stiffness. It is not known whether abnormal sleep is caused or is a result of FMS.

T.M.J. (also known as TMD-temporomandibular joint disorder)

Temporomandibular joint syndrome involves chronic pain in the muscles around the jaw. Most patients complain of pain on palpatation of the muscles of mastication (chewing) and the TMjoints, restrictions of jaw movement, including locking of the jaw, joint sounds, headaches, tooth pain, earaches, ear pain and tinnitus.

Although the above conditions or symptoms are not uncommon in the general population, they are found with higher frequency in patients with FMS.

Each of the above come with another set of problems. Some FMS sufferrers have all of the above, like myself. Each condition or symptom complicates and worsens the disorder. Treatment becomes difficult.

Treatment is often a frustrating venture for both the patient and the physician alike. Traditional treatments tend to mask the problem, rather than correcting it. Traditional treatments have been geared towards using drugs to reduce pain and improve the quality of sleep. Often medications are prescribed that boost the body's level of a neurotransmitter known as serotonin which modulates sleep, pain, and immune system function. Pain killers and anti-inflammatories are also prescibed. Sometimes trigger point injections are suggested. Recently, more doctors are becoming open to and interested in the alternative and natural treatments.

We are often turned down by insurance companies on disability claims, because of their lack of knowledge and conflicting beliefs by professionals. FMS symptoms are subjective, no detectable abnormality exist.Hence, controversy exists. And so we continue to work, over-taxing ourselves, increasing our pain and decreasing our ability to function within an appropriate comfort zone. When we finally learn to say no and take better charge of our life, focusing on ourselves, we often suffer internal strife and guilt.Those of us who make the decision to stop working because we are at the point where we are quite ill and cannot cope any longer, sometimes go into serious debt because of our loss of income. Attempting appropriate health measures becomes pitted against economic factors! Naturally, this stresses us even more. For some of us, life becomes tumultuous. The turmoil in turn, perpetuates and exacerbates the symptoms and the pain. Any form of stress on our system will produce these results. We face emotional, social and financial hardships, aside from the physical. The burdens are enourmous. Stress is our slow killer. But it is not alone.

We must keep in mind that we are complex organisms. We are the product of heredity and environmental factors. Heredity not only determines our physical characteristics, but also has a profound influence on our emotional, physiological, metabolic and immune functions. Our psyche plays an important part in who we are and how we react to situations. Our makeup determines which organs or functions of the body(target organs) will be affected by stress. There is an infinite diversity among people. All these factors determine whether we will develop FMS, to what degree of severity, and whether we can get it under control or perpetuate it.

There is no cure, regardless of the people who promote their miracle cures-likely to make a dollar. There are however, periods of true relief (remission)-but it takes discipline, commitment, education and a positive attitude to finally achieve such a goal. Changing our lifestyles, our behaviours, our beliefs, finding a balance in our environment and managing stress are the keys to maintaining health. Exercise, good posture, relaxation, proper nutrition and self awareness, especially the unlocking of our subconscious, are important components to keeping fit and healthy.

Success involves a comprehensive program that must be tailored to each individuals needs and capabilities. Every FMS patient is unique. The degree of the severity of symptoms must be assessed. The attitudes and lifestyle of each individual must be looked at to see what may be triggering or contributing to the disorder. Based on the results of the assessments, an appropriate program should be devised for the sufferer. A primary health care professional should coordinate the program/treatment plan, involving all the care givers. The primary health care professional and the patient together as a team must consider all avenues for treatment, including alternative approaches. Ultimately the thrust must be towards self management through the education of the FMS sufferer. We must commit ourselves to learn what to do and what not to do in order to restore our health. The journey is by no means an easy one, for we can become easily discouraged, confused and frustrated! But it is a necessary one if we want to regain the quality of life. We must encourage the support and promote the understanding of everyone.

I hope You have learned somethimg from visiting my site

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