Do you
Are these just a small sampling of what you feel? Do doctors tell you they can find nothing wrong with you? Or, worse yet, that it is all in your head?
A scenario that makes a patient feel ignored, disbelieved, emotionally and mentally unbalanced, is disheartening, at best. Your symptoms are real, painful, maybe even life changing.
Chances are, what you are experiencing is a common disorder, affecting millions worldwide, known as: FMS or Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Affecting approximately 2% of the population, women face this five times more frequently than do men.
Though the name fibromyalgia may be unfamiliar to many, even some medical professionals, the disorder is far from new. Originally diagnosed in the 1860's symptoms were reported as early as in the 1700's.
Known by more than 100 different names, like fibromyositis, fibrositis, even the familiar rheumatism, the American Arthritis Foundation and the National Center for Disease Control (CDC) officially designated it as FMS in 1988.
In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology established diagnostic criteria, which aids in distinguishing FMS from other disorders.
Even with established criteria, FMS is frequently confused with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myofacial Pain Syndrome, Lupus, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, insomnia, migraine headaches, depression, Epstein-Barr, and a myriad of other illnesses and disorders. FMS often co-exists with one, or more of these.
Though FMS causes extreme,unrelenting, often disabling pain, there are no blood tests, x-rays, or MRI studies that can verify the existence of FMS.
The cause of FMS is unknown. It is suggested that onset may be triggered by physical and/or emotional trauma, viral infection, genetics, immune system dysfunction, or existing neurological disorders. With no known cause, there is currently no cure for FMS.
Medical treatment is generally limited to pain, sleep, and anti-depressant medications, classes in chronic pain management, the suggestion to exercise more and to "just learn to live with it".
More enlightened practitioners, including some doctors, also employ the use of dietary intervention and planning, specific vitamin/mineral supplementation, herbal treatments, chiropractics, massage, meditation, bio-feedback, and exercise & movement programs, among other techniques.
The majority of relief has been reported after use of healing strategies incorporating aspects of all the above listed approaches. A full mind / body / spirit focus, requiring active participation by both healer and sufferer to establish beneficial protocol appears to have the most lasting effects.
As with any illness or disorder, treatment, even alternative, should be undertaken only with the direct supervision of a qualified health professional. Changes in diet, vitamin / mineral levels, and use of medications or herbs can have a profound and detrimental effect on health if used inappropriately.
Research into the how's and why's of FMS are ongoing. It is up to you, the sufferer, to seek new information and plan, with your health professional, your best course of treatment.
Diagnosis must include:
Current Research
Research completed in late 1999 and early 2000 offers much hope of identifying the cause of FMS.
Researchers have positively identified elevations and deficiencies in certain essential biochemical pathways, blood flow restrictions, sleep abnormalities and alterations of certain neurohormones.
With some of the causal factors identified, more adequate testing, treatment, and, perhaps, even a cure for FMS are sure to be on the near horizon!
Suggested reading:
Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome : A Survival Manual
by Devin J. Starlanyl,MD; & Mary Ellen Copeland
Fibromyalgia Advocate : Getting the Support You Need to Cope With
Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome
by Devin J. Starlanyl (Intro); & Hal Blatman
©2000Thorp, E., C.N.E., C.D.C., C.L.P.T.; Nutribytes;a division of WINTU WORKS;CA
For your VITAMIN & HERBAL needs, please visit my website at: http://www.MyNSP.com/coppersnutribytes.
