Welcome to the world of Fibromyalgia. It isn't a pleasant
world, but at times you can cope. There are times that you can not, and you
do your best not to scream at the injustice that has been dealt you. Let
me try to explain what Fibromyalgia is. First the technical/medical terms.
Fibromyalgia is a disease of the connective tissues, generally effecting
the tissues at the joints, however, it can and does effect ALL connective
tissue. Now my explanation..Yes, it does effect the connective tissue...
and... It doesn't stay in one place all the time, it jumps, moves and generally
goes where it wants to. It feels like Arthritis Rheumatism or Tendinitis,
but 100% worse. There are days when you can't walk and other days when you
can't use your hands/arms, but then there are days when neither of these
extremities are effected. Almost always you can't sleep. Now I don't mean
you don't sleep what I mean is that even though you sleep you are not resting,
so the sleep is non productive or as the Doctors term it non restorative.
It generally effects only women, however, there are cases of men suffering
from it. It is not an inflammation of the joints, or for that matter of the
connective tissues it attacks...it is just pain!!! And let us not forget..(no
pun intended) about the memory loss.. can be either long term or short, I
am effected with short term memory loss..this is better known as "Fibro
Fog".There are a list of other symptoms syndromes, and I will try to help
you understand them as my page grows, and as I better understand them.. The
strangest thing is they seem all unrelated. There is no concrete cause,
no cure and treatment is a hodge podge of medicines, some work, some don't
and you just have to keep experimenting until you find one that will, in
fact a particular medication may not work today, but next week it might.
On top of all this, there is no test for this disease, so when you go to
an uninformed Doctor, and tell him your symptoms, he will either mis-diagnose
you or tell you there is nothing wrong with you..Ya know crazy hypochondriac!!
Of course this comes after a barrage of tests that would make the Marquis
de Sade look like Little Bo Peep!! Depression does come, but not right away.
And who wouldn't be depressed if you went through hundreds of tests over
a period of years only to be told there is nothing wrong with you, but you
still can hardly walk or use your hands and arms, and at times your butt
feels like it is going to fall off. But let me tell you the support of loved
ones and friends are your best defense, and a Doctor who is knowledgeable,
and they are hard to find.
I'm just starting my page on this disease, and will be adding to it. For
the time being here are a few links that might help.
Fibromyalgia-Coping with Real Pain
Physical Proof of Fibromyalgia
Oregon Fibromyalgia Foundation
Jane's Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia Page
FMNet/News.com
Fibromyalgia Network
(Also National Fibromyalgia Support Group)
P.O. Box 31750
Tucson, AZ 85751
Call 800-853-2929
A Patients Guide to Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)
All information below is provided for the purposes of assisting FMS and CFS
patients in understanding their condition. Patients should always consult
their physician for medical advice and treatment.
(the following is from "FMS, A Patient's Guide"
supplied by Fibromyalgia Network.Reprinted from Arthritis and Rheumatism
Journal)
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Fibromyalgia
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