Fibromyalgia: the Painful Truth
Symptoms such as rheumatism, fibrositis, lumbago, hysterical paroxysm, and even sleeping sickness have been studied since the 1800s. They were considered common individual illnesses that were for the most part, unsuccessfully treated. No one knew they would later be linked to a much more complicated illness.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by fatigue and widespread soft tissue pain of muscle, ligaments, and tendons.It is accompanied by an extensive number of indications that until recently, were thought to be individual illnesses unassociated to each other and major components of fibromyalgia. While the illnesses of fibromyalgia are not exclusive to the syndrome, FM sufferers can experience any or all of these associated ailments.
Fibromyalgia Facts:
- Fm lacks a clear test to verify its existence.
- There is no known cure for fibromyalgia.
- The cause of fm is unknown.
- The wide range of symptoms associated with FM makes the illness difficult to diagnose.
- FM affects an estimated 3 in 100 or roughly 900,000 Canadians and Americans combined.
- More women develop FM than men by 5 to 1.
- Every FM patient has at least 11 tender points out of a possible 18.
- Not all family doctors are familiar with fibromyalgia.
- There are no medications exclusive to FM.
- So far, the most useful medication for FM is Tricyclic antidepressants such as Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.
- Often, fatigue brought on by FM can mimic flu symptoms.
- Pain associated with FM is more concentrated in the parts of the body that are used most.
- Short periods of exertion often triggers extreme exhaustion
The most common symptoms of Fibromyalgia include:
Pain
Even though FM pain is widespread, the most concentrated or common pain areas are the upper back, neck, shoulders, head, hips, and knees. This does not mean that pain is restricted to these areas. FM concentrates in the most commonly used muscles and in most patients, this is usually the upper body.
Fatigue
Fatigue can develop very quickly. Patients experience fatigue as a mild tiredness but it is not uncommon to experience complete exhaustion of mind and body after exertion.
Sleep Problems
The most common sleep problem for FM patients is non-restorative sleep. Even those who sleep through the night can wake up feeling as tired as when they went to bed. This happens when the discomfort of FM pulls the patient to semi consciousness keeping them from reaching R.E.M. or, sometimes, preventing the patient from completing the R.E.M cycle. The R.E.M. or rapid eye movement cycle of sleep is marked by increased respiration and brain activity, eye movement, and relaxation of muscles. If R.E.M. is interrupted or never reached, the exhausted muscles do not have a chance to relax and renew their energy.
Cognitive Problems
Impaired mental processing is a common problem for FM patients. One’s ability to process and retain information is diminished causing brain fog which weakens concentration making it hard to remember words or retain and remember simple information.
Balance and Dizziness
Another common symptom is dizziness and loss of balance. FM patients may feel dizzy or faint when rising from a sitting position which may be caused from lack of blood flow to the brain or low blood pressure, another common FM symptom.
Bowel complaints
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common symptom associated with fibromyalgia. It can cause the bowels to behave radically causing pain and discomfort. IBS causes constipation in some while other patients have constant diarrhea or, it may be a combination of the two. In either case the symptoms are usually chronic. Accompanying IBS symptoms include abdominal bloating, nausea, alternating diarrhea/constipation, excessive gas, loss of appetite, indigestion, and mucus in the stool. It is not uncommon to experience nausea before, during, or after a bowel movement.
Digestive Problems
Gastrointestinal Esophageal Reflux Disease or GERD and Acid Reflux are common fibromyalgia diseases affecting more than 60% of FM patients. Acid Reflux is a backup of stomach acid into one’s esophagus while Gastrointestinal Esophageal Reflux Disease or GERD causes recurring heart burn, chest pain, coughing, and a regurgitation of an acid taste. Most FM patients have lower than normal stomach acid which is a problem in itself leaving one to wonder why or how acid reflux may occur. Acid reflux caused by fibromyalgia happens when the abdominal muscles tighten pushing stomach content up into the esophagus.
Depression
About 30% of FM patients encounter some type of depression. It is unclear whether depression is part of the FM illness or if it is caused by it due to the changes occurring in their way of life.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
Another common affect of FM is Multiple Chemical Sensitivities or MCS. Sensitivities can occur from chemicals touching the skin such as soaps, perfumes, skin creams, inhalation of airborne chemicals such as cleaners, or ingested chemicals such as medications and food additives. It is not uncommon to experience unpleasant effects without connecting it to a source.
Difficulty Breathing
Chaotic breathing affects more than 50% of FM patients. The problem occurs when patients tend to take small breaths and/or shallow breathing. Breathing problems can also be caused by a low level of thyroid hormone that can result in weak respiratory muscles.
Other Fibromyalgia symptoms include:
- panic (anxiety) attacks
- crying easily
- mood swings
- anxiety
- irritability
- mitral valve prolapse or MVP
- irregular heartbeat or rapid heart rate
- costochondritis. A condition caused by inflammation of the cartilage that joins the rib bone to the sternum or breastbone.
- cognitive confusion
- short term memory problems
- trouble concentrating
- difficulty remembering known or common words-nouns in particular
- poor memory and loss of concentration when speaking.
- inability to form thoughts or ideas in as orderly fashion
- urinary problems such as frequency or urgency due to spastic bladder muscles
- nausea
- low sex drive
- PMS
- menses problems
- ridges on fingernails
- depressions or curvatures in fingernails
- sensitivity to loud noise
- sensitivity to odors
- sensitivity to light
- sensitivity to weather changes
- insomnia
- dizziness
- sensitivity to food and the environment
- allergies
- low blood sugar
Symptoms can change at any time and new affects are diagnosed each year.
Those who have FM can have a couple, all, or any combination of symptoms.
Liked it
Jasin | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
WHewww!
Must have been a lot of studying for this article eh.
Great work.
MJPatrick | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Great work, full of information!
Lucas Dié | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Great information!
Darla Smith | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Very informative and thorough article.
BC Doan | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Very informative and I learn a whole lot more from your article…
CHAN LEE PENG | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
You’ve outlined it in a very comprehensive manner. Thanks!
Marthex | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Very interesting
Darlene McFarlane | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for your comments, everyone. I know I haven’t been around much over the last couple of months but I am hoping to be from now on.
Karen bondy | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Well done article, I can put myself in almost every symptom listed.Look forward to the next article. Karen
Darlene McFarlane | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Karen! So nice to see you here. I hope my future articles will be of help to you and others.
Betty Carew | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
I was diagnosed with this a few years ago but have been very lucky so far I can still cope with it. What amazed me is how many sysmptom I have from you list. Thanks you Darlene it helps explain a lot more. Excellent article very well presented.
Josey | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
great info!
Moses Ingram | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
Great information, Thanks for sharing.
Drake Harlem | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
That is a lot of symptoms, hell I frequently have many of those symptoms. Maybe this is something I should be asking my doctor about.
Mary Patricia Bird | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
I can add at least two more symptoms to that list – chest pain and Tinnitus are also common symptoms of fibromites. Also, doctors will not diagnose fibromyalgia unless you have 11 out of 18 tender points.
It’s a rough deal for those of us who are dealing with this illness. Learning to manage the illness is key.
Darlene McFarlane | Apr 7, 2009 | Reply
yaffel, I am glad to hear your FM is still manageable. I was diagnosed 19 years ago and was able to cope well for the first 11. I wish you luck.
Drake, the symptoms listed above can also be stand alone and unrelated to FM. It is certainly worth talking to your doctor about.
Mary Patricia Bird, thanks for adding to the list of symptoms. I realized after I finished the article that there were more I could have added. The fact that the list keeps growing makes it hard to remember though I should have thought of your additions as I have both. A few years ago, after much debate in Canada they decided that 3 out of 18 points are acceptable. I am unable to find evidence of this now and am wondering if the idea was scrapped. I will continue to look and may have to change my information.
Debra. | Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
OMG, Darlene! I had no idea that disease consisted of so many ailments! I feel for you and my heart goes out to you. Great article!
Darlene McFarlane | Apr 8, 2009 | Reply
Debra, thank you for your kindness.
Chris Stonecipher | Apr 9, 2009 | Reply
Darlene,
I have relatives that have Fibromyalgia and I know they go through excruciating pain. My prayers are with you.
Blessings,
Chris
C Jordan | Apr 10, 2009 | Reply
Really good article packed full of information, from the inside.
Darlene McFarlane | Apr 10, 2009 | Reply
Chris, thank you. I hope to share my experiences and what I have learned in the future.
C Jordan, Thank you. I appreciate everyone for their comments.
Evelyn Moore | Apr 12, 2009 | Reply
Interesting article – so sorry you have to suffer this
Darlene McFarlane | Apr 13, 2009 | Reply
Thank you Evelyn.
Ruby Hawk | Apr 16, 2009 | Reply
I have known several women with this disease. I understand it is very hard to treat. Don’t you think this disease has always been with us but doctors didn’t recognise it. I wish all you ladies well who suffer from this disease. I know it isn’t easy.
Mr Ghaz | Apr 20, 2009 | Reply
Excellent! Great writing…Thnx for sharing yr great experience…all the best 2U my sis…
Nick Kenney | Apr 28, 2009 | Reply
Holy cow, Darlene…I can certainly understand the depression involved with this…bless your heart! This is awful…
Athlyn Green | Apr 30, 2009 | Reply
I tested positive for all 18 tender spots. This information is spot on. Will Stumble, Buzz and Digg this.
valli | May 2, 2009 | Reply
Great information.
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas | May 17, 2009 | Reply
Great job, Darlene, you have covered it well, thanks for sharing this.
Judy Sheldon | May 22, 2009 | Reply
Darlene, I was sure I read this earlier. I apologize. My kids & grands keep me hopping. Sometimes I don’t know if I’m coming or going. You have definitely done a wonderful job of researching fibromyalgia. There is lots of helpful info here, but you never do a halfhearted job.
Take care & God bless.
Momma Tells | May 27, 2009 | Reply
Like a lot of people, I have some friends with this condition – and it is very hard on them, and their families. Thanks for writing about it.
jedopi | Jun 24, 2009 | Reply
I loved your article but I absolutely HATE Fibromyalgia. I have had it for ten years now! I have my good days and my bad days. Usually the bad days turn into bad weeks or even months. I have a blog that you might want to check out where I discuss (mostly) my life with Fibromyalgia. It is http://jedopi.blogspot.com.
Mrs Sue Ginger Howard | Jul 23, 2009 | Reply
Your Fobro article is on the point.
Fibro is even worse when you have Lupus also.
I have both + other health problems.
I am not going into detail about that right now.
Thank you for writing the piece on Fibro.
Do you have Fibro?
If so, are you part of some kind of support group.
Anyone with this condition needs some kind of support for this condition.
Anyone with Fibro really needs to be tested for other things that comes along with Fibro.
Please , I pray that you will be tested.
Get your lungs checked out, your heart checked, and arthritis problems that can occur with Fibro.
mystery61 | Aug 17, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for doing this article. My friend suffers from this and now I understand so much better what she is going through.