Exercise can help fibromyalgia sufferer

[Guest guest]

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: How does a person know if she has fibromyalgia? I

have never heard of it. When I had lunch with my friends, it was the

topic of discussion, and I have many of its symptoms. I have no energy,

and my entire body hurts. -MK

DEAR M.K.: Fibromyalgia is not a new illness. It was described in the

early 1900's but slipped into oblivion until the late 1900's.

Its symptoms are many. Overwhelming exhaustion engulfs patients.

Another common complaint is what patients call an ache-all-over feeling.

The illness fragments sleeping, and that adds to daytime fatigue.

There is no blood test, no x-ray or scan that establishes the diagnosis.

There is, however, a good piece of evidence that fibromyalgia is the

correct diagnosis. That evidence is trigger (or tender) points. There

are 18 body sites where slight pressure from the doctor probing fingers

elicits pain far out of proportion to the pressure applied to that site.

If a person has 11 such points, then the diagnosis of fibromyalgia can

be made with more confidence.

An immediate goal of treatment is relief from the fatigue that turns

people into zombies. Amitriptyline, an antidepressant, is prescribed

not for its antidepressant feature, but for it's restoration of normal

sleep cycles, which fibromyalgia upsets.

Tizanidine, a new muscle relaxant, might bring relief to some.

Exercise, however, is a most important element of treatment. Starting

out with a short walk and gradually increasing the distance walked and

the speed of walking is probably as effective as any medicine in

treating this illness.

People can obtain a copy of the recently written fibromyalgia pamphlet

by writing: Dr. Donohue - No. 305, Box 536475, Orlando, FL.

32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.50 along

with the recipients printed name and address. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks

for delivery.

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This article was in my newspaper today. Just wanted to send it for

those that may be interested in sending for the pamphlet.

Rhonda