What is Fibromyalgia?
What is fibromyalgia? Is it a real disorder, or a symptom of depression? What are the symptoms? I noticed it is frequently treated with anti depressants (Cymbalta). I am becoming highly skeptical of modern day medicine.
Public Comments
1. Fibromyalgia (new lat., fibro-, fibrous tissue, Gk. myo-, muscle, Gk. algos-, pain, meaning muscle and connective tissue pain; also referred to as FM or FMS) is a medical disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain and allodynia, a heightened and painful response to pressure.[1] Fibromyalgia symptoms are not restricted to pain, leading to the use of the alternative term fibromyalgia syndrome for the condition. Other core symptoms include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. Some patients[2] may also report difficulty with swallowing,[3] bowel and bladder abnormalities,[4] numbness and tingling,[5] and cognitive dysfunction.[6] Fibromyalgia is frequently comorbid with psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety and stress-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder.[7][8] Not all people with fibromyalgia experience all associated symptoms.[9] Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect 2-4% of the population,[7] with a female to male incidence ratio of approximately 9:1.[10]Fibromyalgia is considered a controversial diagnosis, lacking scientific consensus as to its cause.[11] Many members of the medical community do not consider fibromyalgia a disease because of a lack of abnormalities on physical examination and the absence of objective diagnostic tests.[11][12]
While historically considered either a musculoskeletal disease or neuropsychiatric condition, evidence from research conducted in the last three decades has revealed abnormalities within the central nervous system affecting brain regions that may be linked both to clinical symptoms and research phenomena.[8] These studies show a correlation, but not causation.[12] Some research suggests that alterations in the central nervous system might be the result of childhood stress, or prolonged or severe stress.[8] Although there is as yet no cure for fibromyalgia, some treatments have been demonstrated by controlled clinical trials to be effective in reducing symptoms, including medications, behavioral interventions, patient education, and exercise
2. Fibromyalgia is indeed a real medical condition. It's a condition of the nervous system. It causes people to feel tired, achy all over, and often people have other complaints such a migraines, restless legs, bladder pain, allergies, depression/anxiety and other conditions along with the fibromyalgia.
There are different theories as to why people develop fibromyalgia. Some point to a history of physical trauma (car accidents etc.) and some point to emotional pain (a traumatic divorce, significant emotional loss or damage). The nervous system is overly sensitive and sends out pain signals when it shouldn't. Some people are so stricken they have a very hard time getting out of bed, let alone work. There are 18 spots on the body which can cause pain if pressed upon - to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, 11 of the spots must be positive (have pain).
Cymbalta has been approved as one of the treatments, but you should know many drugs have multiple purposes. Cymbalta was first a drug for depression, then for nerve pain from diabetes, and finally for fibromyalgia. Lyrica has also been approved for fibromyalgia, but originally for epilespy (seizures) then pain from diabetes and after shingles, and finally in Europe for anxiety.
People with fibromyalgia are often frustrated by doctors who deny this disorder's existence. Just because you can't see something in a blood test or on an x-ray doesn't make it not exist. People with restless legs syndrome have faced similar problems.
3. My mother has this. It causes your muslces to ache all over. Doctors arent really sure what causes this. Many people being is psychological (which it could be) but i doubt that because everytime someone hugs my mother to hard or even pats her on the shoulder, she grumbles in pain. My mother is not in depression so that shouldnt be it. She says that her "muslces flare up".
4. And now, for the OTHER side of the debate.
There is NO "proof" of fibromyalgia. No diagnostic test for it. It's a "clinical" diagnosis, as mentioned above.
The correlation of fibromyalgia label is extremely high with patients who also suffer from:
* gastric reflux, irritable bowel, and similar intestinal complaints
* depression, anxiety, and similar mood disorders
* hypertension
* insomnia
Along with my "professor" neurologists, my professional opinion: fibromyalgia is a "bull$#it" diagnosis, based on the somatic presentation of psychological dissonance.
5. it is a neuro dysfuntion--suspected to be with the way the brain processes neurotransmitters..
since neurotransmitters are involved with depression..it makes sense that they over lap...
remmeber--real depression is a biological condition--not justbeing sad...
FMS is also treated with outher neuro meds like Lyrica
It is highly overdiagnosed by incompetant docs who use it as a general label for pain--b ut it is not
i have had symtoms since i was 5...and have never had a true period of 'depression'...the only time was a few weeks after my cat died when i was 10.....
pain is the main symptom..also fatigue, numbness, cogntive difficutties and many other issues related neuro dysfunction
i don't have gastro or BP problems...and sleep dysfunction is a bif part of fms...there is a major problem with non rstorative sleep--even in people who do not have insomnia
there has been no proof of many conditions..ulcers were once thought to be mental--now they know its a germ...
