Fibramyalgia advice on pain relief and coping?!
Question: can anyone advise on symptoms of fibramyalgia and how it effects you and to any types of effective pain relief for this illness
Answers: can anyone advise on symptoms of fibramyalgia and how it effects you and to any types of effective pain relief for this illness
These sites are all useful
http://www.fibromyalgia-support.org/
http://www.ukfibromyalgia.com/frames.htm...
http://www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.or...
http://www.immunesupport.com/
http://www.medicinenet.com/fibromyalgia/...
http://www.rheumatology.org/public/facts...
I have Fibromyalgia as part of having Lupus(SLE) and would advise that if you have not already had the immunology tests ask your Dr to test you for ANA to screen you for lupus.
For me its difficult to say which symptoms are lupus & which are fibromyalgia but I think the fibro ones are fatigue (I still get exhausted even though I'm on lupus medication) and the tender spots I get (mainly on my knees, hips, and shoulders)
I use "voltarol" gel on my tender spots and sore muscles & take a non-steroid anti- inflammatory medication ("Lodine") to help pain relief both of which help me
Other things that can help include
paceing your activities so as not to "overdo" things,
gentle excersise (you probably don't feel as if you can do anything but even just a gentle walk or swim can help)
hot baths (I also use aromatherapy oils in bath eg Lavender to help sleep)
Avoiding stress - this article about stress was interesting - http://www.medicinenet.com/fibromyalgia/...
You may also like this lupus message boards site to ask others about there experience (try the related conditions section) http://www.thelupussite.com/forum/index....
If I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia , I would find a good doctor with a knowledge of infections like borreliosis/lyme disease,etc,that are know to cause the same types of symptoms as fibro/ms/me/cfs & many other problems.
You can find good doctors at the site below.
Maybe nitrition could be an answer. A few people with Fibramyalgia have been drinking Acai juice and have felt better.There pain has diminished and energy levels are good.
Would you allow me to send some information to you on this amazing nutritional beverage? The juice contains the most potent antioxidant in the world -- the Acai Berry. Since you asked about pain issues, I thought you might be interested. Please let me know if you would like to receive the information on the juice. Thank you for your time.
Here is my website to see what this product is about:
http://www.mymonavie.com/anewlife
I have found some relief using a muscle relaxant called Flexeril. It helps me sleep and seems to lessen pain when I am having a bad bout! Good luck!
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a non-life-threatening, chronic disorder of the muscles and related soft tissue, including ligaments and tendons. Its main symptoms are muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and tender points at certain parts of the body. Many people describe fibromyalgia as feeling like a persistent flu.
Some health care providers may use these terms to refer to fibromyalgia: fibromyositis, fibrositis, periarticular fibrositis, muscular rheumatism, chronic muscle pain syndrome, musculoskeletal pain syndrome, or tension myalgia. However, "fibromyalgia," which means "pain of the muscles and other fibrous tissue," is the accepted term and has replaced some of the others. Terms ending in "-itis," which means "inflammation," are now considered incorrect because inflammation does not play a significant role in fibromyalgia.
Key Characteristics
Muscle pain, either throughout the body or only at certain points, is the primary symptom. It may range from mild discomfort to pain severe enough to limit work, social activities, and everyday tasks. Pain commonly occurs in the neck, shoulders, chest, rib cage, lower back and thighs and may feel like a burning, gnawing, throbbing, stabbing, or aching sensation and may develop gradually. It usually seems worse when a person is trying to relax and is less noticeable during activity.
A related, key aspect of fibromyalgia is the presence of "tender points," muscles and tendons that are tender when pressed. Typically, tender points are located in the neck, back, knee, shoulder, elbow, and hip.
People with fibromyalgia also feel moderately to severely fatigued and have sleep problems, including insomnia. This may result from restless legs and arms, which may disrupt their sleep, or they may suffer from sleep apnea or grind their teeth while they sleep.
Tender Points
According to the American Academy of Rheumatology, for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, you must have unusual tenderness at a minimum of 11 of the 18 "tender points" associated with the condition. Some health care providers diagnose fibromyalgia in patients who have fewer tender points but who otherwise have severe, widespread (meaning upper and lower body occurring on both right and left sides) pain symptoms that are present for at least three months.
The standard tender points are located in the muscle or other soft tissue on both sides and the front and back of the body. Those who have fibromyalgia may have unusual tenderness at any of several other points on the body as well.
Who Is Affected
Experts estimate that 3 million to 6 million Americans have fibromyalgia. Of these, 80% are women. One of the main risk factors is being a woman between the age of 20 and 50. Another risk factor is having a rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or Sjogren's syndrome. Fibromyalgia also seems to run in families, so a gene may be at least partly responsible for the condition. Most people with fibromyalgia begin to notice symptoms between the ages of 20 and 40, but children and older adults may also develop the condition. Women with fibromyalgia typically feel pain throughout their body, while men are more likely to have facial pain or pain and stiffness in a certain part of the body as a result of a work- or recreation-related muscle strain.
What Causes It?
Experts do not know what causes fibromyalgia. There are several theories about possible causes or triggers. Inadequate sleep is a possible trigger. Another is suffering an injury or physical or emotional trauma that affects the brain, spine, and nerves. Some experts believe that a viral or bacterial infection plays a part.
Abnormal production of pain-related chemicals in the nervous system also contributes to the symptoms of fibromyalgia. It's thought that any one of these factors may bring on the symptoms of fibromyalgia in someone who is already genetically predisposed to the condition.