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What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia?
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Sparky
Joined: 15-Aug-2007
Posts: 13
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 03:22 am
Post topic: What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia? |
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My mom was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and I'm not really sure what it is. I know she seems to have a lot of muscle pains and aches, and she's tired all the time. What causes it?? It doesn't get passed down to kids or anything, does it? |
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Tags: muscle-pain |
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aht52
Joined: 07-Aug-2007
Posts: 2
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 02:18 pm
Post topic: What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia? |
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sparky,
I have, also, been recently diagnosised with Fibromyalgia and the doctor told me that my children can also have it as it is passed on. But that doesn't mean that they will but they could. However, I do know that one of my sons does have it and he is going to attend the doctor on Friday for it.
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RavenCares
Joined: 25-Jul-2007
Posts: 197
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Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 06:01 am
Post topic: What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia? |
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Wow, that's scary! I had no idea that fibromyalgia can be passed down to your kids! Do the doctors know yet the exact cause?? |
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sadielady
Joined: 26-Aug-2007
Posts: 42
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mysticalangel_laur
Joined: 07-Oct-2007
Posts: 3
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 07:53 pm
Post topic: What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia? |
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About Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is an illness characterized by diffuse
muscle pain, poor sleep, and unrelenting fatigue. Individuals with
fibromyalgia may also experience headaches, anxiety, depression, poor
memory, numbness and tingling in the extremities, cold hands and feet,
irritable bowel syndrome, lowered immune function, and chemical
sensitivities. Over 10 million Americans suffer with fibromyalgia;
ninety percent of them are women between 25 and 45 years old.
Diagnostic tests are currently unavailable to confirm fibromyalgia.
The diagnosis is usually reached after ruling out other conditions
including neurological, autoimmune, endocrine, musculoskeletal,
immunological, and mental disorders. Patients have typically had the
illness at least 7 years and have been seen by a dozen different
doctors before they're diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
In 1990 The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) first proposed the
current criteria for defining fibromyalgia syndrome. The criteria
include a history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months and
the presence of at least 11, out of a possible 18, tender points. Pain
is considered to be widespread when it affects all four quadrants of
the body; that is, you must have pain in both your right and left
sides as well as above and below the waist to be diagnosed with
fibromyalgia.
The American College of Rheumatology first proposed the current
criteria for defining FMS. The diagnosis requires that all three of
the major criteria, and four or more of the minor criteria, be present:
Major Criteria:
1. Generalized aches or stiffness of at least three anatomical sites
for at least three months
2. Six or more typical, reproducible tender points
3. Exclusion of other disorders that can cause similar symptoms
Minor Criteria:
1. Generalized fatigue
2. Chronic headache
3. Sleep disturbance
4. Neurological and psychological complaints
5. Numbing or tingling sensations
6. Irritable bowel syndrome
7. Variation of symptoms in relation to activity, stress, and weather
changes
8. Depression
the various conditions seen in FMS patients.
The following is a more detailed list of potential symptoms that
patients may experience:
Sleep disturbances:
Sufferers may not feel refreshed, despite getting adequate amounts of
sleep. They may also have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
Stiffness:
Body stiffness is present in most patients. Weather changes and
remaining in one position for a long period of time contributes to the
problem. Stiffness may also be present upon awakening.
Headaches and facial pain:
Headaches may be caused by associated tenderness in the neck and
shoulder area or soft tissue around the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Abdominal discomfort:
Irritable bowel syndrome including such symptoms as digestive
disturbances, abdominal pain and bloating, constipation, and diarrhea
may be present.
Irritable Bladder:
An increase in urinary frequency and a greater urgency to urinate may
be present.
Numbness or tingling:
Known as parathesia, symptoms include a prickling or burning sensation
in the extremities.
Chest Pain:
Muscular pain at the point where the ribs meet the chest bone may occur.
Cognitive Disorders:
The symptoms of cognitive disorders may vary from day to day. They can
include "spaciness," memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, word
mix-ups when speaking or writing, and clumsiness.
Environmental Sensitivity:
Sensitivities to light noise, odors, and weather are often present, as
are allergic reactions to a variety of substances.
Disequilibrium:
Difficulties in orientation may occur when standing, driving, or
reading. Dizziness and balance problems may also be present.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Research suggests fibromyalgia may be the result of:
� Trauma, especially whiplash injuries.
� Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) dysfunction.
� Emotional/physical/mental stress.
� Low thyroid function.
� Low serotonin states.
� Adrenal dysfunction.
� Chronic viral, mycoplasma, and or bacterial infections.
� Endocrine disorders.
� Sleep disorders.
The truth is we really don't know for sure what causes fibromyalgia.
What We Do Know
Fibromyalgia is now thought to arise from a miscommunication between
the nerve impulses of the central nervous system. The neurons, which
supply the brain, become more excitable, exaggerating the pain
sensation. This over-amplification of pain is referred to as "central
sensitization." Fibromyalgia patients have a reduction in their pain
threshold (allodynia),
brainblue
an increased response to painful stimuli (hyperalgesia) and an
increase in the duration of pain after nociceptor stimulation
(persistent pain). Individuals with fibromyalgia syndrome have low
levels of serotonin, a 4-fold increase in nerve growth factor, and
elevated levels of substance P. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a member
of a family of peptides known as the neurotrophins. The exposure of
nociceptive sensory neurons to NGF leads to up-regulation of substance
P in sensory neurons. Substance P, the neuropeptide in spinal fluid,
is a neurotransmitter that is released when axons are stimulated.
Increased levels of substance P increase the sensitivity of nerves to
pain or heighten awareness of pain. Although it's not fully
understood, fibromyalgia patients have an imbalance of the
hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This imbalance creates
hormonal inconsistencies, which disrupt the body's ability to maintain
homeostasis.
Many of the most common fibromyalgia symptoms including widespread
muscle pain, fatigue, poor sleep, gastrointestinal problems, and
depression regularly occur in people with various neuroendocrine
disorders, including those manifested by HPA dysfunction. Researchers
believe suppression of the HPA (quite likely from chronic stress),
which results in lowering human growth hormone (HGH),
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), cortisol, and other hormones, is
aggravated by the chronic pain and poor sleep associated with
fibromyalgia.
Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA) Dysfunction
The main function of the hypothalamus is homeostasis, or maintaining
the body's status quo. The hypothalamus receives and transmits
messages from the nervous system and hormonally through the
circulatory system. Because of its broad sphere of influence, the
hypothalamus could be considered the body's master computer. The
hypothalamus receives continuous input about the state of the body and
must be able to initiate compensatory changes if anything drifts out
of line.
The Hypothalamus regulates such bodily functions as:
1. Blood pressure - is often low in those with fibromyalgia.
2. Digestion - bloating, gas, indigestion, and reflux are common in
FMS patients.
4. Circadian rhythms (sleep/wake cycle) - which is consistently
disrupted in FMS.
6. Sex drive - loss of libido is a common complaint for FMS patients.
7. Body temperature - is often low in FMS patients.
8. Balance and coordination- FMS patients have balance and
coordination problems.
9. Heart rate - mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and heart arrhythmias are
a common finding in FMS patients.
10. Sweating - it's not unusual for FMS patients to experience
excessive sweating.
11. Adrenal hormones - are consistently low in FMS patients.
12. Thyroid hormones and metabolism-hypothyroid is a common finding in
FMS patients.
Recent studies show that over 43% of FMS patients have low thyroid
function. It's estimated that those with FMS are 10 to 250,000 times
more likely to suffer from thyroid dysfunction.
A Vicious Cycle
1. Chronic stress disrupts HPA homeostasis, leading to allodynia.
2. Chronic pain disrupts the circadian rhythm.
3. Dysfunction in the circadian rhythm results in poor sleep.
4. Poor sleep reduces growth hormone production, leading to poor
repair of damaged muscle fibers, poor memory, fatigue, suppressed
immune function, and more pain.
5. Increased pain further disrupts sleep and leads to depletion of
stress coping chemicals including serotonin.
6. A reduction in serotonin causes an increase in the
neurotransmitter, substance P.
Substance P enhances pain receptors, creating even more pain.
7. Poor sleep and ongoing stress lead to fatigue, mood disorders, IBS
and may cause thyroid
dysfunction.
8. Chronic stress contributes to adrenal fatigue, decreased DHEA, and
lowered resistance to stress. Decreased stress coping abilities then
lead to lowered immune function.
9. Lowered blood volume from adrenal dysfunction (and resultant
hypo-tension) leads to further fatigue.
cellphonestresssm |
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mysticalangel_laur
Joined: 07-Oct-2007
Posts: 3
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Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 08:00 am
Post topic: What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia? |
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I have FMS and it is not fun to have. Since it is getting colder out I am getting more pain. I dread these next 5 to 6 months of the freezing cold temps in Northern Wi. but I am not able to move where it tis warmer yet. I have to wait till my boy is 18 and out of school due to my Ex. So since I have to live here in the cold northwoods I just cuddle up in a blanket and sip some nice hot chamomile herbal teas and weather out the painful storm in Northern Wi.
I was diagnosed in 1998 but my Dr. and my Specialists believe I had it longer then that. Now I am not working and fighting for Disability - I was denied twice and then I had to go to my hearing on it last month yes I went in front of a Adminstrative law judge already - NOT FUN! Between the judge HERSELF and the medical examiner oh my gosh NOT FUN AT ALL! So I pray everday that they will be able to help me and approve my disabilty.
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Malena
Joined: 06-Oct-2007
Posts: 22
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Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 08:32 pm
Post topic: What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia? |
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Wow Mystical, thanks for the info. I had read about Fibro before but your post explained it.
Malena |
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Sissy
Joined: 18-Jul-2007
Posts: 251
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Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 09:48 pm
Post topic: What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia? |
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Has anyone had any experience or heard about the new medication that their advertising? I will be interested to find out how it works and if it works. Anybody with any information please pass along.
Sissy |
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RavenCares
Joined: 25-Jul-2007
Posts: 197
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Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 05:26 am
Post topic: What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia? |
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MysticalAngel, thank you so much for the in-depth explanation of what fibromyalgia is and how it is diagnosed. It sounds like it's a really complex disease. I hope the researchers gain some headway in the near future on what causes this illness. It seems to be spreading like wildfire, at least in my community. |
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