DONNA HEART'S
FIBROMYALGIA RESOURCE PAGE!
**Personal Experience @ bottom of this page!
More about Fibromyalgia...
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. An individual looks perfectly normal, which at times makes it difficult for others to understand the pain associated with Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is not fatal, however, there is no cure. It is possibly related to hormonal changes or hereditary. "Tender points" refers to tenderness that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. People with this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms.
How Many People Have Fibromyalgia?
According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia affects 3 to 6 million Americans. It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but children, the elderly, and men can also be affected.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, researchers have several theories about causes or triggers of the disease. Some scientists believe that the syndrome may be caused by an injury or trauma. This injury may affect the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia may be associated with changes in muscle metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and decreased strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious agent such as a virus in susceptible people, but no such agent has been identified.
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms mimic those of other diseases. The physician reviews the patient's medical history and makes a diagnosis of fibromyalgia based on a history of chronic widespread pain that persists for more than 3 months. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has developed criteria for fibromyalgia that physicians can use in diagnosing the disease. According to ACR criteria, a person is considered to have fibromyalgia if he or she has widespread pain in combination with tenderness in at least 11 of 18 specific tender point sites.
How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Treatment of fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive approach. The physician, physical therapist, and patient may all play an active role in the management of fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise, such as swimming and walking, improves muscle fitness and reduces muscle pain and tenderness. Heat and massage may also give short-term relief. Antidepressant medications may help elevate mood, improve quality of sleep, and relax muscles. Fibromyalgia patients may benefit from a combination of exercise, medication, physical therapy, and relaxation.
What Research Is Being Conducted on Fibromyalgia?
The NIAMS is sponsoring research that will increase understanding of the specific abnormalities that cause and accompany fibromyalgia with the hope of developing better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent this disorder.
Recent NIAMS studies show that abnormally low levels of the hormone cortisol may be associated with fibromyalgia. At Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, and at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor, researchers are studying regulation of the function of the adrenal gland (which makes cortisol) in fibromyalgia. People whose bodies make inadequate amounts of cortisol experience many of the same symptoms as people with fibromyalgia. It is hoped that these studies will increase understanding about fibromyalgia and may suggest new ways to treat the disorder.
Other NIAMS research studies are looking at different aspects of the disease. At the University of Alabama in Birmingham, researchers are concentrating on how specific brain structures are involved in the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia. Researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, are using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) techniques to study patients with fibromyalgia. MRI and MRS are powerful tools that have been shown to be useful in evaluating muscle disorders and muscle performance. At the New York Medical College in Valhalla, scientists are investigating the causes of a post-Lyme disease syndrome as a model for fibromyalgia. Some patients develop a fibromyalgia-like condition following Lyme disease, an infectious disorder associated with arthritis and other symptoms.
NIAMS-supported research on fibromyalgia also includes several projects in the Institute's Multipurpose Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Centers. Researchers at these centers are studying individuals who do not seek medical care, but who meet the criteria for fibromyalgia. (Potential subjects are located through advertisements in local newspapers asking for volunteers with widespread pain or aching.) Other studies at the Centers are attempting to uncover better ways to manage the pain associated with the disease through behavioral interventions such as relaxation training.
The NIAMS supports and encourages outstanding basic and clinical research that increases the understanding of fibromyalgia. However, much more research needs to be done before fibromyalgia can be successfully treated or prevented.
The Federal Government, in collaboration with researchers, physicians, and private voluntary health organizations, is committed to research efforts that are directed to significantly improving the health of all Americans afflicted with fibromyalgia.
Where Can People Get More Information About Fibromyalgia?
Arthritis Foundation
1330 West Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30309
404/872-7100
800/283-7800 or call your local chapter (listed in the telephone directory)
World Wide Web address: http://www.arthritis.org
This is the main voluntary organization devoted to all forms of arthritis. The Foundation publishes a pamphlet on fibrositis. Single copies are free with a self-addresses stamped envelope. The Foundation also can provide physician referrals.
Fibromyalgia Alliance of America
P.O. Box 21990
Columbus, OH 43221-0990
614/457-4222
Contact: Mary Anne Saathoff, R.N.
Fibromyalgia Association of Texas
3810 Keele Drive
Garland, TX 75041
972/271-5085
Contact: Ms. Faye Wright
Fibromyalgia Network
P.O. Box 31750
Tucson, AZ 85751-1750
800/853-2929
Contact: Ms. Kristin Thorson
Fibromyalgia Association of Greater Washington (FMAGW)
13203 Valley Drive
Woodbridge, VA 22191-1531
Phone: 703/790-2324
Fax: 703/494-4103
Web: www.fmagw.org
Contact person: Tamara Liller
**FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
Fibromyalgia is a connective tissue disorder. It's symptoms are... burning sensation in the legs, back, arms, or chest. (my symptoms began with severe
burning in my legs, as if my bones were on fire)
It is also accompanied by migraines, chronic pain, memory loss, sometimes blurry vision, lack of concentration of even the simplest tasks, sleeplessness, irritable bowel/stomach cramps, fatigue, clumsiness, radical mood swings, worrying about unnecessary things, etc. These symptoms seem to 'flare' when stress levels are high.
As with any other situation in life, Fibromyalgia is easier to deal with when you have the support of a "partner" and/or family members.
Since the degree of symptoms varies for each person, exercise methods vary also! Each person/and doctor must use trial and error to find what medications/exercises work best for them. There are also trigger points throughout the body. After seeing one doctor for a long period of time, he can successfully rule that a person does have Fibromyalgia. Many people function somewhat normally after the diagnosis, however, some find it hard to function at all.
UPDATE: April 18, 2005 - To date,
I have received 2,000+ Survey Responses from 14 Countries including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, & United States!
Sharing frustrations is good, but so is laughter! I know it can be difficult to view things in a positive way sometimes, but I'll take laughter any day, opposed to crying!
Please check out these sites!
Fibro-Haze Humor Page #1!
Fibro-Haze Humor Page #2!
Fibro-Haze Humor Page #3!
Fibro-Haze Humor Page #4!
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Fibro-Haze Humor Page #7!
Fibro-Haze Humor Page #8!
I plan to include some humorous stories in my book, and submission of your story serves as right to publish! These stories will be used for entertainment, including my own wacky ones! If you object to having the story published, please do not submit it! Names will never be mentioned.
ATTENTION: THESE PAGES SHOULD NOT BE REPRODUCED FOR ANY REASON, WITHOUT EXPRESSED PERMISSION IN WRITING FROM THE AUTHOR!
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~Donna Heart
