Fibromyalgia
also called fibrositis
Fibromyalgia
Symptoms
Pain: in the muscles, elbow, back, neck, or abdomen, can occur at night, can be chronic, throbbing, sharp, or diffuse, severe
Sleep: sleep disturbances, difficulty falling asleep, or sleepiness
Sensory: pins and needles, sensitivity to cold, or sensitivity to pain
Muscular: muscle tenderness, delayed onset muscle soreness, or muscle spasms
Hand: tingling or sensation of coldness
Gastrointestinal: bloating or constipation
Psychological: anxiety or depression
Mood: mood swings or nervousness
Cognitive: lack of concentration or forgetfulness
Whole body: feeling tired, nausea, fatigue, or malaise
Also common: acute episodes, irritability, joint stiffness, tingling feet, headache, or painful menstruation
Often it is also accompanied by depression.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
- Genetics. Because fibromyalgia tends to run in families, there may be certain genetic mutations that may make you more susceptible to developing the disorder.
- Infections. Some illnesses appear to trigger or aggravate fibromyalgia.
- Physical or emotional trauma. Post-traumatic stress disorder has been linked to fibromyalgia.
Treatment
Prescription
Muscle relaxant: Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril )
SSRI: Paroxetine (Paxil), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft)
Other treatments: Milnacipran (Savella), Pregabalin (Lyrica), Amitriptyline, Gabapentin (Neurontin), Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Self-treatment
Anti-inflammatory: Naproxen (Aleve)
Other treatments: Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Also common
Lifestyle: Physical exercise, Relaxation techniques, Stretching, Stress management
Therapies: Support group, Acupuncture, Massage, Graded exercise therapy, Biofeedback, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Hydrotherapy
Other treatments: Chiropractic treatment techniques
Why Does Fibromyalgia Hurt?
What gene or chromosome is affected by this disorder?
What population is affected?
That's roughly around 5 million people.
Are there prenatal tests for fibromyalgia?
Could this disorder have been prevented?
How Is Fibromyalgia Inherited?
Families and Fibromyalgia
- Studies of DNA from family members of people with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain syndromes have turned up a number of genes that could help explain why these disorders seem to run in families.
- The odds of developing fibromyalgia are several times higher in the immediate families of people with fibromyalgia than in families in which no one has fibromyalgia.
Is there a cure/new treatment coming soon?
What is the current status of research on fibromyalgia?
What Gene Or Chromosome Is Affected By Fibromyalgia?
Women w/ fibromyalgia
Women typically experience tenderness or pain in at least 11 of 18 tender points, men may have only six places in the body that are tender, and they aren't as painful as those in women patients.
Fibromyalgia peaks in women during the reproductive years, female hormones are believed to play a role in the higher incidence and severity of the disorder.
- Many women complain that fibromyalgia pain is worse just before and during their periods.
Men w/ fibromyalgia
Men get the disorder too, but they experience it very differently. Males tend to get fewer and milder symptoms than women. Their discomfort also lasts for shorter periods of time and occurs less often.
Men have a small amount of estrogen, but it doesn't fluctuate throughout the month the way it does in menstruating women. "It's the changes in estrogen levels that seem to trigger a higher sensitivity to pain,"
Children And Fibromyalgia
Children and Fibromyalgia
- Fibromyalgia isn't passed directly from parents to children, but the disorder does appear to cluster within families.
- Can be hard to spot in children because it's much more common in adults.
- Children of a parent with fibromyalgia syndrome won't necessarily develop the syndrome themselves – however, they may be more likely to develop the disorder than other people may if something triggers it, such as an accident, infection or stress.
What kind of medical assistance will the affected child need?
- They will need the basic treatment.
Can this individual have children in the future? What is the long-term outlook for the child?
- Yes they can still have children and the child could end up having fibromyalgia at some point in their life time. They still do not know if parents can pass it to their children
Will further assistance be needed, as the child grows older?
- The child will need treatment their entire life if they get it as a child, the treatment will change throughout their life time.
Who Can Be A Candidate For Fibromyalgia?
Adults more likely than children.
Fibromyalgia Diet
Foods low in calories, high in fiber, and rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals.
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Omega-3s (nuts and cold water fish)
- Lean Protein
Foods that Hurt ~ Foods To Avoid
- Caffeine
- Simple Carbs
- Artificial Sweeteners
Specialists
Rheumatologist: Specializes in arthritis and other rheumatic diseases.
Pain management: Eases suffering and improves quality of life for those in pain.
Clinical psychologist: Treats psychological disorders.
Physical medicine and rehabilitation: Restores function and quality of life to those with physical disabilities.
Physical therapist: Restores muscle strength and function through exercise.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is fibromyalgia?
- Is there a cure?
- How is fibromyalgia treated?
- How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
- Can I still work with How is fibromyalgia?
Work Cited
http://www.aarda.org/descriptions-of-diseases/#Fibromyalgia
2004. American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/basics/causes/con-20019243
2015 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/expert-answers/is-fibromyalgia-hereditary/faq-20058091 Kevin C. Fleming, M.D. 2005
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23280346 2013 by the American College of Rheumatology.
http://www.sharecare.com/health/fibromyalgia/percentage-population-affected-by-fibromyalgia Michael Roizen MD 2011
http://www.fibrokur.com/P318/ (The name was in a forgien language) 2009