The usually and often misunderstood symptoms of fibromyalgia have lead to many myths and misconceptions. Fibromyalgia is real condition and the pain and fatigue you are experiencing is very real as well.
Finding proper treatments and learning to cope with fibromyalgia can be difficult, but not being fully informed, and believing untruths, can lead to unnecessary emotional pain as well.
Fibromyalgia Myths
Let’s take a look at seven common myths that surround fibromyalgia syndrome, and dig down deeper to uncover the truths.
#1) Myth: Fibromyalgia is not a real condition, and most doctors believe this to be true.
The Truth: Most doctors do believe that Fibromyalgia syndrome is real. However, can be difficult to assess, and this myth cropped up due to the misunderstanding between doctors who are not familiar with fibromyalgia, patients who are desperate for answers to a very painful condition, and the medical community which is trying to set standards for patient care.
The other complexity involves the disparity of symptoms that each patient can present, which can make a diagnosis more difficult. The American College of Rheumatology helped develop a set of criteria to help doctors diagnose fibromyalgia.
These guidelines are followed by doctors familiar with fibromyalgia syndrome collection of symptoms which include:
Fibromyalgia Syndrome:
Widespread, prevalent body pain that is above and below the waist
Pain For Three months or more
Have at least 11 out of 18 Tender points found in noted locations of the body
Can include: Extreme fatigue, Difficulty sleeping, disturbed sleep, inability to exercise due to exacerbation of symptoms
Your symptoms are real, and many doctors believe your symptoms are real, and will try to provide the best care possible.
#2) Myths: Fibromyalgia can damage your joints.
The Truth: The pain you are associating with fibromyalgia can be an aching discomfort, and it can also be very brutal at times, but it is not doing damaging your bones, joints or muscles. As well, you should understand that the severity of the pain you are experiencing does not reflect a deterioration or progression of the disease, or condition.
#3) Myths: Doctors diagnose patients with Fibromyalgia when they can’t find anything else wrong with them.
Truth: Doctors diagnose Fibromyalgia based on the symptoms you present on exam. They will not pin a fibromyalgia label on you when your symptoms don’t fit a certain criteria for any other disease or conditions.
Getting a fibromyalgia diagnosis can take time, as there is no single blood test, no x-ray or CT scan that will confirm your diagnosis. It becomes a medial puzzle of running tests, and ruling out other symptoms to determine the cause of your symptoms, and it can be frustrating to both you and your doctor as well.
#4) Myths: If there is no cure or treatments for fibromyalgia then going to the doctor is a waste of time and money
The Truth: There is no one size fits all treatment that fits all patients, but the Food and Drug Administration has approved one drug for treating fibromyalgia, and other treatments are the pipeline.
Learning to live with your condition can include: medications, changes to your lifestyle, alternative treatment, complementary treatments, changes to your diet, and staying active with low impact exercise.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease where symptoms can diminish, and become more sever, but it is not life threatening, but it very likely a lifelong chronic condition.
#5) Myths: If Fibromyalgia causes pain, and then there must be something more wrong with me. I have lots of other unexplainable symptoms.
The Truth: No one knows why there is such a wide array of symptoms that can be found Fibromyalgia patient beside pain.
Fatigue, depression, mood disorders, headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to sound, memory problems “fibro fog” , sleep problems, cold fingers and toes, numbness fingers and toes, restless leg syndrome, tingling in fingers and toes. Abdominal problems: Weight gain, abdomen pain, IBS, bladder control problems, and nausea.
#6) Myths: Fibromyalgia is so debilitating that you can’t live a productive life.
The Truth: It is true that learning to live with this chronic disease takes time, and patience. You may find the your pain never completely goes away, but there are millions of people living in chronic pain from other disorders, and they put one foot in front of the other every day.
There are many approaches to living, and strategies that may mean altering your life style, but by setting goals, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and learning to pace your day you can get by, and you will.
#7) Myths: If you look fine, then there’s nothing wrong with you.
The Truth: It can be easy to feel angry with your family, friend, and co-workers who do not understand this condition, and withdraw. However you need to be honest, and explain your symptoms so that they have a clear understanding of the physical and emotional toll you are under.
Joining a support group can be very helpful, and just having an outlet to share your feelings, your frustrations, and to discuss what treatment options that are works for others can be very beneficial. Finding people who really understand what a really bad day is who are suffering and going through similar circumstances can make coping and managing your condition much more tolerable.
Do not underestimate the power of friendship and compassion, it is very powerful medicine, and that is not a myth that is the truth!
Discover Fibromyalgia Pain Relief though the use of Fibromyalgia Natural Treatment. Treating fibromyalgia can be done with alternative therapies for fibromyalgia. Do not give up, you deserve to live a happy healthy life; don’t let fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue stops you from living.
Treating fibromyalgia is basically a “crap shoot” what works for one person may not work for another. It is vital that you try different approaches to treating your fibromyalgia pain. Fibromyalgia pain relief can take many forms, and the right fibromyalgia Natural Treatment may take a few test runs before it clicks, and you start feeling better. Dr. Mark Shaw has a program that encompasses many components to being pain free, you may want to check it out, and see if it might be a fit for you. His book Beat Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue has help many fibromalgia pain suffers.
Acupuncture Fibromyalgia
Originated and founded in Eastern medicine thousands of years ago, it has been used successfully to treat pain, and clear energy pathways called meridians. Acupuncture helps balance the meridians that link the nervous system to our internal organs. Many Fibromyalgia sufferers find that acupuncture stimulates their own body’s endorphins, creating natural pain relief freeing them from the debilitating effects of constant pain.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback can use special devices that help individuals achieve a state a relaxation by training them to control their heart rate, reduce blood pressure and muscle tension levels. Training is done by a professional.
Chiropractic Medicine and Proper Body Support
Chiropractic adjustments can help many sufferers treat headaches, back problems, and maintain proper spine alignment. It has been found that there is a connection between the spine, and the nervous system, keeping the spine well aligned may help prevent neurological problems associated with impeded nerve signals.
Use pillow for support. Keep pillows on the couch, in your car, in the bed, anywhere you will be spending any amount of time. Pillows behind the back, under your arms, under your legs, prop pillows where support is needed.
Use proper body mechanics for getting out of the bed, or off the couch. Roll to your side when getting out of bed.
Scoot to the edge of chairs when getting up, and then use your legs, and arms to push up. Keep back straight.
Counseling
Living with fibromyalgia can be very difficult, at times it may feel as if you are going crazy, and the pain eats at your emotional well being isolating you from friends, family, and other social venues. It is helpful to have someone to share your feelings whether it be a trained professional or a support group.
Fibromyalgia Exercise
Stretching, Body mechanics- Flexibility- I have found a very simple device to be highly effective and easy to use. They are called resistance bands, and they can help you target, and gently stretch and strengthen your muscles. You can buy resistance bands online, or in your local store. The online resistance bands come are better made, and come with door hooks that are vital to proper use. These simple, but effictive bands work for any fitness level, and you find see the different types of exercises that can be done by visiting Bodylstics.
Fibromyalgia exercises can include: Walking, swimming, tai chi, resistance bands, bicycling (electric bikes are great for fibromyalgia), dancing, yoga, and more.
Hot or Cold Therapy
Moist heat or dry heat to painful muscles, increases blood supply, and increases oxygen, relaxes muscle spasms, helps relieve pain, and helps maintain range of motion.
Cold therapy-This helps relieve swelling of painful joints, decrease pain, and calms muscle spasms.Cold treatments might include the use of ice packs, frozen vegetables, crushed ice pack mixed with rubbing alcohol frozen, after is comes to the slushy stage place it on the area of your pain using a light covering over the skin.
Heat Therapy – treatments can include moist heat: soaking in warm water, warming wet towels, or using a hot water bottle. Dry heat can include heat packs, using a heating pad for a limited amount of time; in addition some sufferers find that using an electric blanket work for soothing the pain, and achiness.
Paraffin Wax – is also used by dipping your hand in a paraffin bath. You may also find relief by alternating heat and cold water bath treatments.
Safety precautions should always to when working with heat and cold treatments on bare skin.
Hypnosis- Guided Imagery – Meditation
Hypnosis is a simple and easy way to reprogram the brains way of thinking, and can be used in this manner to help the brain’s pain perception. Many times when the pain starts we begin our brain goes on alert and our tension levels increase, as well as our anxiety. The more anxious we become the more we focus on the pain. Using self hypnosis, and breathing exercises you can teach your brain to stop the anxiety, and remain calm. This really is an amazing tool that is underutilized due to hypnosis being seen as a stage trick, or show. Hypnosis has been used by therapists, and in Eastern medicine and studies prove it works. Meditation and hypnosis should be a part of every fibromyalgia sufferer’s daily routine. I recommend Hypnoworld.com, or Hypnosis.org.
Magnetic Therapy
Magnetic therapy has been used for thousands of years, but has come more into the spot light with new research and technology. Studies are showing that medical magnets work by improving blood flow and decreasing inflammation. It has been proven to work for arthritis sufferers and fibromyalgia patients as well. Magnetic therapy is similar to acupuncture, but without needles. It can decrease pain, and increase positive energy, and stabilizing metabolic cell function. You can find magnetic products such a bracelets, magnetic bedding, magnetic pillow, and magnetic mattress pads that fibromyalgia sufferers give high marks too. If you suffer from arthritis you can find more information on magnetic arthritis relief using medical magnets by clicking blue links.
Fibromyalgia Massage
Neuromuscular Massage Increase blood supply to soft tissues, smooths nerve energy, targets the trigger points, and relaxes muscles. Find a massage therapist that understands that fibromyalgia patients have different massage needs due to the tight tender muscle sensitivity
Can include: Myofascial Release, Pressure Point Massage,Deep Tissue Release tension
Physical Therapy – Need A Doctors Order
Learn proper body mechanics, how to apply hot and cold therapy, range of motion exercises, and life style aids.
Relaxation Therapy
Relaxation techniques may include, guided imagery to help you focus on images that bring pleasure, prayer, hypnosis, which aids by focusing attention internally, rather than persisting with concentration on your other thoughts or anxieties. You may consider using biofeedback, which involves very sensitive electrical equipment that measures the reactions of your body, as well as the use of audio tapes for relaxation guidance. Also see hypnosis and stress relief CD’s and MP3 downloads.
Tai Chi- Quigong- Tai Chi Ball
Tai chi is a gentle martial art that was originally designed to prepare warriors for battle both mentally and physically. As fibromyalgia is a constant battle is makes perfect sense that this ancient art form works very well to help battle the chronic pain, and fibro fog. It encompasses breathing techniques, gentle movements for flexibility and strength, encourages positive energy balance, and meditation. Many people find the tai chi ball and meridian balls; can add an element of strength, meditation, and mental vitality as well.
Any martial art will take commitment and training and does require physical exertion.
Water or Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy is very effective for people with fibromyalgia as it does not put any weight on the joints or muscles. Exercise is very important to staying flexible, maintaining stamina, decreasing fatigue , oxygenating the tissues, removing cellular waste, and helps maintain a your quality of life.
Yoga –Tai Chi
Breathing, stretching, maintains a positive flow of energy, socialization, relaxation, meditation, and muscle strength.
Utilize Support Groups as a means of education, and support. You are not alone, although it feels like it as you cocoon yourself in your bed, or on the couch due to your chronic pain, and fatigue. You know the saying “Use it or lose it” This is very true. Muscles atrophy or shrink from lack of use, muscles also become weaker which can lead to falls and more injuries. Living with the fibromyalgia pain is difficult, and someone who does not suffer from this chronic condition will never understand how difficult it can be to function, and live a normal life.
The best way to treat fibromyalgia is with knowlege, and trial and error. Keep trying different treatment options until you find one that works for you, the pain may never go away completely, but you don’ thave to stop living…… fibromyalgia pain relief is not a myth it is possible, but you must believe, and never give up.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that is generally characterized by widespread pain, and severs pain sensitivity that can affect your quality of life. It is a real condition, but as painful and debilitating as it is, it is not a life threatening disease. It will not cause any deformities, or paralysis. Unfortunately, once you have the diagnosis the search for a cure will continue, and living with fibromyalgia will not be easy, but it does not mean you have to stop living.
However, the pain does not only affect your physical health it can also affect your mental health well being too. Everyone who has fibromyalgia wonders how they got it, or what caused it?
Probable Causes of Fibromyalgia
The cause is not clear, but new technology does show that individuals with fibromyalgia have altered or malfunctioning sensory impute that is different than the general population. It is believed that the areas of the brain that deal with pain signals is not functioning properly.
It is thought to have a genetic component as it does seem to run in families. Several studies have been done in regards to the hereditary aspects of fibromyalgia and suggest an autosomal dominant mod of inheritance. This mean if your parent has the condition, that you or your siblings have a 50% chance of inheriting it too. It was also interestingly noted that different pain perceptions run in families as well. Dr. George Uhl found that pain perception plays a large role in this condition, and that individuals with fibromyalgia may be deficient in a type of cell receptor that helps diminish pain, or perceived pain.
The Causes Of Fibromyalgia Are Unknown, But Speculations On What Might Trigger This Condition Are:
* Accident – Car accident, Whip Lash, Motor Accident, etc.
* Nutritional Deficiencies
* Catastrophic Stress
* Pregnancy- Difficult Childbirth
* End Result of another Disease Process
* Chemical Exposure
* Genetics
* Medication Side Effects can trigger auto immune response
* Hormonal Problems
* Chronic Infections
* Drug Reaction
* Injury
* Stress
* Surgery
* Trauma
* Viral Infection
* Due To Difficult Job Environments – Night shift, Construction, Heavy Lifting, Standing of Feet, Sitting Long Hours in Vehicles. and more
What Is Going On That Causes The Pain?
Truthfully there is nothing concrete that they can point too, but there are some theories.
Researchers don’t believe it is inflammation of muscles and joints as once thought, but they are narrowing the gap. New technology is showing that fibromyalgia sufferers have decreased blood flow to areas of the brain that control and manage pain signal that are sent from the spinal cord to the brain.
Sufferers can have an elevation in a neurotransmitter call substance P that involves pain processing, and they can also have deficiencies in growth hormones (IGF) which promotes bone growth.
Other very important neurotransmitters that are vital to our health have been found to be low or deficient as well:
* Serotonin- which promotes sleep and feelings of well being.
* Norepinephrine – Stress Hormone
* Dopamine – Stress Hormone
* Cortisol – Stress Hormone
* Phophocreatine- Regulates the calcium uptake form muscle cells, and controls muscle relaxation
* Adensosine triphosphate (ATP) similar to Phophocreatine
Living With Fibromyalgia
I know the video is lone, but If you did not have the time to finish washing it, I hope that you will find the time to return and take the time to understand more about this chronic disease, and gather more information for living with fibromyalgia.
The difference between fibromyalgia and other disease processes, is that it does not just affect a single body system, but instead can encompass the whole body.
The management of disorders distinguished by symptoms of chronic pain and fatigue such as Chronic Multisymptom Illnesses, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Gulf War Illness
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome, a recognizable constellation of symptoms of unknown causation. The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread muscle pain.
Fibromyalgia How Do You Cope?