Fibromyalgia

[April]

What is it? Is it permanent? Degenerative? I haven't a clue.

Anybody got any useful links about this? Any online communities where I can learn about it? Any relevant info is appreciated. And PM's are very acceptable considering the climate of the board lately.

Thank you.

 

[thumbs2_ca]

Hi

Yes my wife suffers with it and I will send you some links.
As far as I know there is no cure but ways to limit it's impact on your life with diet and managing the factors that make it worse.

 

[bluemuse]

There is no cure, but it can be managed. It's one of sveral conditions/diseases that sort of copycat eachother, such as Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus. I'll PM you with the addy to a wonderful BB for Fybromyalgia.

 

[Agent99]

Good place to start with any medical question is at WebMD.

Here is a link specific to that condition:

http://my.webmd.com/condition_center/fms

 

[April]

The most worrisome question: Is it genetic?

In case anyone was wondering, my sister has been diagnosed recently with this disease. She worries me. But then, my whole family worries me.

 

[bluemuse]

The most worrisome question: Is it genetic?

In case anyone was wondering, my sister has been diagnosed recently with this disease. She worries me. But then, my whole family worries me.

Go to the BB who's addy I just gave you , and ask that question. Lot's of people there who will be glad to share all they know with you. Good luck.

 

[April]

Thank you for the links. I've got them bookmarked, and will go through them as soon as I can. Please, keep them coming.

 

[April]

*bump*

 

[scylis]

*bump*

what? no grind?

 

[HeavyStick]

Fibromyalgia, long-lasting or chronic pain, stiffness, and tenderness in muscles, joints, and tendons. Unlike similar muscle and joint pain disorders, popularly called rheumatic disorders, fibromyalgia pain occurs without swelling. Fibromyalgia is characterized by the presence of sensitive areas, called tender points, commonly found in the elbows, knees, hips, and back of the head. Touching these tender points may trigger severe discomfort and widespread pain and muscle spasm. Other symptoms include difficulty sleeping, fatigue, poor concentration, and headaches. People with fibromyalgia are also more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome, a chronic disorder that causes abdominal cramping and discomfort. According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia occurs in 5 percent of the American population. Found in all age groups and in both sexes, the condition primarily affects women ages 20 to 40.

Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, many different factors, such as stress or inadequate sleep, may trigger or worsen the symptoms. Researchers are investigating possible connections between fibromyalgia and abnormal levels of hormones and neurotransmitters (chemicals that regulate the body’s physical processes). Certain infectious agents, such as the bacteria that cause Lyme disease and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which causes AIDS, may also be linked to fibromyalgia.

Physicians diagnose fibromyalgia by determining if a patient has soreness in at least 11 of 18 possible tender points and widespread body pain without swelling. If both of these symptoms are present, a positive diagnosis is confirmed after the physician administers a series of blood tests to eliminate the possibility of other disorders that create similar symptoms, such as arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and thyroid disorders.

There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but a number of treatments can ease its symptoms. Careful stretching and low-impact exercise, stress reduction, and improved sleep patterns may offer relief. Physicians may inject pain-relieving medications, such as analgesics or cortisone, directly into a patient’s tender points to reduce pain and muscle spasm. Small doses of certain antidepressants, taken at bedtime, may help relax muscles and improve sleep.

C&P'ed

 

[April]

The cortisone shots work quite well. My sister just got one last week. They last for about 4-5 months. She's almost back to normal after the shot.

 

[lilfrk]

Here April:


http://fibrohugs.com/

http://www.sover.net/~devstar/index.htm

http://www.fmpartnership.org/FMPartnership.htm

http://www.sover.net/~devstar/fmsdef.htm

I don't believe it's genetic, but there is still lots of unknown stuff about FMS.

 

[April]

Thanks lilfrk. Much appreciated.


Does anybody have any others?

 

[lilfrk]

You're welcome.

 

[carrie-on]

My daughter has fibro and a couple of the links that have been posted were ones that I was going to tell you about. Fibrohugs is the best one according to my daughter and from what I have seen I agree with her. You can also ask your doctor if he/she knows anything about support groups in your area. There wasn't one here where we live,so she and another person started one. She was surprised that there were as many people around here who have it for the little population in our area. We live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and she found out that people with fibro have more problems when it is hot,so many people move north to avoid the heat. Every case is different,some people have only a few triggerpoints while others like my daughter have a lot of them. Out of the 18 that are most common,she has 16 of them.
Good Luck in searching for what you need.