Re: Rally the Troops... (Dave)

[Guest guest]

Hi Dave

The following is a pretty good overview of fibromyalgia (FMS). It can

be diagnosed alone or along with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Some

think they are separate diseases while others see them on a continuum.

Rheumatologists have recognized FMS and have certain treatment protocols

they follow. CFS is rather a bastard child, but studies are supporting

the fact that it is not all in our heads.

I have both; lucky me. HTH

Nina in Maine

Open RNY 2/02

325/201/???

5'8 " 69 years old

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WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME?

FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and

fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia

means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons – the soft fibrous

tissues in the body.

Most patients with FMS say that they ache all over. Their muscles may

feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles

twitch and at other times they burn. More women than men are afflicted

with FMS, and it shows up in people of all ages.

To help your family and friends relate to your condition, have them

think back to the last time they had a bad flu. Every muscle in their

body shouted out in pain. In addition, they felt devoid of energy as

though someone had unplugged their power supply. While the severity of

symptoms fluctuate from person to person, FMS may resemble a post-viral

state. This similarity is the reason experts in the field of FMS and

chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) believe that these two syndromes may be

one and the same. Gulf War syndrome also overlaps with FMS/CFS.

SYMPTOMS AND ASSOCIATED SYNDROMES

Pain - The pain of FMS has no boundaries. People describe the pain as

deep muscular aching, throbbing, shooting, and stabbing. Intense burning

may also be present. Quite often, the pain and stiffness are worse in

the morning and you may hurt more in muscle groups that are used

repetitively.

Fatigue - This symptom can be mild in some patients and yet

incapacitating in others. The fatigue has been described as " brain

fatigue " in which patients feel totally drained of energy. Many patients

depict this situation by saying that they feel as though their arms and

legs are tied to concrete blocks, and they have difficulty

concentrating, e.g., brain fog.

Sleep disorder - Most FMS patients have an associated sleep disorder

called the alpha-EEG anomaly. This condition was uncovered in a sleep

lab with the aid of a machine which recorded the brain waves of patients

during sleep. Researchers found that most FMS patients could fall asleep

without much trouble, but their deep level (or stage 4) sleep was

constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity. Patients

appeared to spend the night with one foot in sleep and the other one out

of it.

Sleep lab tests may not be necessary to determine if you have disturbed

sleep. If you wake up feeling as though you've just been run over by a

Mack truck – what doctors refer to as unrefreshing sleep – it is

reasonable for your physician to assume that you have a sleep disorder.

Many FMS patients have been found to have other sleep disorders in

addition to the alpha-EEG, such as sleep apnea, sleep myoclonus

(nighttime jerking of the arms and legs), and restless legs syndrome.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal

pain, abdominal gas, and nausea represent symptoms frequently found in

roughly 40 to 70% of FMS patients.

Chronic headaches - Recurrent migraine or tension-type headaches are

seen in about 50% of FMS patients and can pose a major problem in coping

for this patient group.

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome - This syndrome, sometimes

referred to as TMJ or TMD, causes tremendous jaw-related face and head

pain in one quarter of FMS patients. However, a 1997 published report

indicated that close to 75% of FMS patients have a varying degree of jaw

discomfort. Typically, the problems are related to the muscles and

ligaments surrounding the jaw joint and not necessarily the joint

itself.

Other common symptoms - Premenstrual syndrome and painful periods, chest

pain, morning stiffness, cognitive or memory impairment, numbness and

tingling sensations, muscle twitching, irritable bladder, the feeling of

swollen extremities, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and mouth, dizziness,

and impaired coordination can occur. Patients are often sensitive to

odors, loud noises, bright lights, and sometimes even the medications

that they are prescribed.

Aggravating factors - Changes in weather, cold or drafty environments,

hormonal fluctuations (premenstrual and menopausal states), stress,

depression, anxiety and over-exertion can all contribute to symptom

flare-ups.

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If this isn't bad enough you can Google and get acres and acres of

information!