Myths and Facts About Fibromyalgia

Myth: Fibromyalgia is rare.
Fact: Fibromyalgia is one of the most common types of chronic pain disorders. It is estimated that more than 5 million people in the United States have fibromyalgia.

Read about fibromyalgia and the pain of living with it here

Myth: Fibromyalgia is “all in the head.”
Fact: Fibromyalgia has been described for centuries (See http://www.fibrocenter.com/fibromyalgia-disease). But it wasn’t until 1981 that the first scientific study formally confirmed fibromyalgia symptoms and tender points in the body.
Since then, researchers have further tested pain reactions in people with fibromyalgia.

• Imaging studies show that the brains of people with fibromyalgia have more activity in reaction to pain
• Studies also have shown that people with fibromyalgia feel pain more intensely at lower levels than people without the condition
It’s thought that overactive nerves cause the pain of fibromyalgia (see http://www.fibrocenter.com/fibromyalgia-research). Although fibromyalgia is not just “in the head,” it is still important to understand that the condition is stressful—especially when it goes undiagnosed. Stress can also make fibromyalgia worse.

Myth: Doctors diagnose fibromyalgia when they can’t find a “real” diagnosis.
Fact: It’s true that diagnosis of fibromyalgia often takes time. There is no specific lab test for it. Your doctor can’t see it on an x-ray or do a blood test to confirm it. Instead, he or she relies on your symptoms and a physical exam. What’s more, the symptoms can overlap with symptoms of several other conditions. These other conditions must be tested for as well.

But fibromyalgia is very much a real condition. In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology developed guidelines for diagnosing fibromyalgia. Today, these guidelines are widely applied.

What’s more, there are now thousands of studies validating this form of chronic widespread pain. In 1990, there were only about 200 published studies on fibromyalgia. Today there are more than 4,000 published fibromyalgia studies.

Myth: Fibromyalgia is a “woman’s disease.”
Fact: The majority of people with fibromyalgia are women (about 80%). But, remember that fibromyalgia is a common condition. That means many men are diagnosed as well.

Studies have found that women with fibromyalgia do tend to have a lower pain tolerance and more symptoms than men. Both genders, however, responded similarly to fibromyalgia treatment as well as other nondrug treatments such as exercise.

Fibromyalgia is also seen in all age groups, from teenagers to older people. But the symptoms more typically begin in a person’s 30s. Fibromyalgia occurs around the globe. And it appears in all ethnic groups and cultures.

Myth: The pain of fibromyalgia is mild.
Fact: Some people only experience mild symptoms, especially when they are being properly treated. For others, the pain can be severe. It can have a significant impact on quality of life. Simple things they once took for granted, like working, going for a walk, household chores, and taking care of their families can become difficult. Symptoms also often get worse under stress or even under certain weather conditions.

Myth: There is nothing that can be done to treat fibromyalgia.
Fact: Although fibromyalgia cannot be cured, for many people a diagnosis can be validating. It can mark the beginning of a new journey toward relief of some symptoms. Many people with fibromyalgia are able to reduce their symptoms through lifestyle changes and treatments.

Fibromyalgia Pain Is Different

Fibromyalgia patients often have an increased sensitivity to their environment. People with fibromyalgia have chronic pain and tenderness all over the body.

Although they have pain and tenderness and ache all over, they are often diagnosed by doctors based on tender spots (also referred to as tender points) in certain places in their body.

These include:

• Front and back of the neck
• Mid- to upper-back of the shoulders
• Upper chest
• Elbows
• Upper buttocks
• Hips
• Knees

Other common fibromyalgia symptoms include sleep problems and tiredness.

Studies have also shown that fibromyalgia is a condition that typically causes:

• Hyperalgesia—increased pain to normally painful contact (for example, when a small pinprick causes a sharp, stabbing pain—more pain than would occur in a person without fibromyalgia)
• Allodynia—pain to normally nonpainful contact (for example, when a hug or handshake can feel painful)
o Allodynia may also include increased sensitivity to smells, bright lights, loud sounds, changes in weather, heat, cold, and various foods. For example, some people find they are more sensitive to light, so they need to wear sunglasses. People sensitive to sound may describe sounds as piercing or painfully loud.

Many researchers believe that this sensitivity may point to a “central” problem with pain or sensory processing. To understand this better, let’s explore the idea of “pain.” The next section looks at emerging concepts in fibromyalgia.

The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a health care provider. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a health care provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient.

Ref: http://www.fibrocenter.com missing or outdated ad config

Print this entry