Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) – All the Misconceptions And Rumors

Sep 30, 2008 in Fibromyalgia Symptoms

fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) has been around for a long time, although it has not been recognized as a biological syndrome with physical symptoms to be treated until fairly recently.  There were and still are myths floating around about the syndrome that are simply untrue.

Until these myths are dispelled, individuals with the syndrome will continue to be misdiagnosed and subjected to treatments that do not help, increasing their frustration and distress.

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Psycho Syndrome?

For a long time, Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) was considered to be a psychosomatic illness.  When individuals went to their doctors for help with the symptoms they were experiencing, they were sent to a psychologist to solve the issue.  Although there are psychological symptoms related to Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), such as depression, anxiety and sleeping disorders, these to not address the entirety of the issues caused by the syndrome.

Another misconception was that women were the only ones who had the symptoms.  Since that was the case, linked with the belief that the syndrome was psychosomatic, it led to calling the syndrome ‘hysteria’ or a ‘woman’s disease.’  Doctors and scientists did the community as a whole a disservice by lumping the syndrome into the psychosomatic category without further research since the syndrome is not just found in women, but in men and children as well.

One benefit of this incorrect diagnosis was that behavioral therapy was used to help with the symptoms, which is still found to be useful in patients today.  By addressing stress and modifying beliefs about stressful situations, the patient is better able to relax, sleep, and gives his body time to mend.

Rare, Damaging, and Fatal?

Although Fibromyalgia Pain Syndrome is damaging on an emotional and physical level as far as what the patient has to deal with on a day to day basis, Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is not progressively damaging to the body.  In other words, it does not harm other organs, nor does it progressively tear down the muscle tissue.  The pain of Fibromyalgia can get worse over time, but on a biological level, it does not tear down the body’s systems nor is it fatal.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) was also thought to be a rare syndrome, but is found in about six percent of the population today, meaning millions of Americans are affected by it.  As mentioned, it was though to only be found in women, but it is now known that men, women, children and the elderly are all susceptible to the syndrome.



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Fibromyalgia Diagnosis – How Do You Diagnose Fibromyalgia

Jun 18, 2008 in Fibromyalgia Symptoms

So is there an official diagnosis for fibromyalgia? How does someone who suspects they may be suffering from it actually have it confirmed it’s arrived in their life?

Well, self diagnosis is never recommended for anything medical – even doctors who diagnose their own ailments are sometimes frowned upon. If you suspect the symptoms of fibromyalgia are at play then get a professional opinion. That is, make an appointment to see you doctor.

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Can Doctors Diagnose Fibromyalgia?

This is a very tough question to answer. Reason is, because of the sometimes mysterious nature of fibromyalgia and becuase there doesn’t seem to be anything tangible to diagnose such as with a disease, many doctors may overlook it as a cause of the symptoms you’re suffering.

They will obviously explore other causes first and that’s only natural so be patient. Sooner or later fibromyalgia will be put forward as a reason for the symptoms you may be suffering.

Criteria For Diagnosis Of Fibromyalgia

One of the best explanations on how to diagnose fibromyalgia has been put forward by the American College of Rheumatology.There is a summary of what are known as the tender point locations.

Fibromyalgia can be diagnosed if:

- A person suffers widespread pain over a period of three months or more.

- Widespread pain meaning pain in all four corners of the body but not necessarily all being affected at the same time. For example, pain could be experienced in the upper or lower half of the body or the left or right half.

- It’s been determined that there are at least 18 trigger points in the body. A person would need to be suffering pain or soreness in at least 11 of these trigger points.

- The trigger points are distributed at various positions on the front and back of the body. The main concentration is around the neck and shoulder area where there are at least nine. Other areas where trigger points are located are the buttocks, back and front of the knee area and there is also a trigger point located in the arm.



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Fibromyalgia Cause – So What Causes Fibromyalgia?

Jun 07, 2008 in What Is Fibromyalgia?

So what is fibromyalgia and what actually causes it? At this time, researchers are still working on theories although they are getting close to “nailing” possible causes.

Explaining the cause of fibromyalgia is where non-believers like to have a shot at it’s validity because there are still several theories. In a nutshell let’s take a look at what fibromyalgia is not:

- it’s not an inflammatory disease and
- it should not be thrown in the trauma basket or associated with trauma

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What Is Fibromyalgia?

So what is it? One of the best explanations we’ve seen is that it is akin to referred pain. In other words, fibromyalgia can be categorized as referred pain emanating from areas of the body such as muscle, fat and the tissue surrounding muscles known as fascia.

Referred pain you say? Is that a condition? After all, examinations reveal there is no disease present. Why does this matter? Well, we humans are non-believers and like to see something tangible before we actually believe. It’s a little like UFO sightings – we think they’re out there but until someone can produce a real live spacecraft and an alien which we can physically see or touch, they will remain a mystery.

Get the picture? Now you can appreciate why it’s difficult for some to believe fibromyalgia exists. But there is too much evidence to suggest otherwise and many are suffering from a lack of life quality because of it.

Fibromyalgia Referred Pain

One theory relates to referred pain being caused following translation of messages by the brain to the body following the chemicals of nerve cells within the brain being stimulized. The term used for this is “pain modulation.” Another description refers to “down regulation of endorphins.”

Trying to find a medical comparison, medicos will use an analogy such as rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever surfaces due to hypersensitivity – hypersensitivity to an infection such as the throat.

The theory is that the cause of fibromyalgia is similar – an infection or area of the body under stress will result in a similar reaction.

In layman’s terms, the cause of fibromyalgia can still be put under the “theory”banner. Triggers known to exacerbate the condition include exposure to inclement weather including wet conditions. Another connection found in fibromyalgia sufferers is sleep pattern abnormalities.



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