Fibromyalgia (FMS)
Other names: Fibromyositis, Fibro, Fibrositis
Fibromyalgia is not an autoimmune
itself, but I've included it because it is often associated
with autoimmune disorders as a secondary condition
(I myself suffer secondary fibro).
Fibromyalgia is a chronic and painful condition involving
muscles, nerves and connective tissues. There is still
a lot not known about Fibromyalgia, and what causes
the pain is not completely understood. The pain can
involve any area of the body and can be a constant
pain, or can be triggered by a simple touch. Some
Fibromyalgia involve all areas of the body while other
Fibromyalgia may only experience pain in specific
pain points, referred to as tender points. The pain
can rage from mild to severe and can be disabling
in many cases.
Besides the pain, Fibromyalgia can cause other symptoms,
such as fatigue, joint stiffness, difficulty swallowing,
numbness and cognitive difficulties (commonly referred
to as “fibrofog” or “brain fog”).
Because of the fatigue and “fibrofog”,
memory can also suffer making it difficult for a Fibromyalgia
sufferer to live normal lives.
The exact cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, but studies
are starting to reflect that there may be connections
with emotional disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress
Disorders, Anxiety and other mental health disorders.
Brain imaging has also shown a possible neurological
difference between healthy patients and Fibromyalgia
patients Fibromyalgia is still very much in debate
within the medical community as to whether or not
it is an actual disease and until recent years was
not recognized as a diagnosis.
Symptoms:
Abdominal bloating
Anxiety
Chest pain
Constipation
Diarrhea
Difficulty falling asleep
Difficulty staying asleep
Elbow pain
Fatigue
Forgetfulness
Frequent urinating
General body pain
Headaches
Heavy, long periods
Insomnia
Joint pain with swelling and redness
Knee pain with stiffness
Mental confusion
Morning stiffness
Muscle cramping
Muscle twitching
Pain in back of skull
Pain in buttocks
Pain in hips
Pelvic pain
Restless leg syndrome
Shoulder pain
Stiffness and pain in lower spine
Tender scalp
Unsteady balance and clumsiness
Diagnosis:
Since the nature of Fibromyalgia is still very much
debated, diagnosing Fibromyalgia can be quite difficult.
Many physicians refer to the diagnosing criteria established
by the American College of Rheumatology in 1990 (known
as the ACR 1990). The diagnosing criteria according
to the ACR 1990 establishes a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia
when:
- There's a history of widespread pain lasting more
than 3 months and affecting all 4 quadrants of the
body (left and right sides, and above and below the
waist)
- Tender point test: 18 designated points on the
body where the patient may feel pain when force is
exerted on these points (the doctor will press on
these points). The patient must have at least 11 of
the 18 points for a Fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Treatment:
There is no known cure for Fibromyalgia, and currently
the only line of treatment is pain management and
trials of medication with anti-depressants and anti-seizure
medications.
Prognosis:
Since there is no cure, and not much is known about
Fibromyalgia, the condition is usually chronic and
life-long. Improvement has been seen in some cases
treated with medication for seizures and depression,
but pain management will always be a concern when
living with Fibromyalgia. Supportive therapy such
as support groups and counseling as well as occupational
and physical therapy can also improve the quality
of life for Fibromyalgia sufferers.
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