Fibromyalgia: What It Is and How to Manage
It
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a condition that
causes pain in the muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. The
pain occurs in areas called "tender points." Common tender
points are the front of the knees, the elbows, the hip joints
and around the neck.
Fibromyalgia affects up to 5% of
the population, including children. This disorder might be
hereditary (run in families), so you may have family members
with similar symptoms.
What are the symptoms of
fibromyalgia?
Increased sensitivity to pain is
the main symptom of fibromyalgia. Many other symptoms also
occur in people with this disorder. Symptoms may come and go.
You may have some degree of
constant pain, but the pain may get worse in response to
activity, stress, weather changes and other factors. You may
have a deep ache or a burning pain. You may have muscle
tightening or spasms. Many people have migratory pain (pain
that moves around the body).
Most people with fibromyalgia
feel tired or fatigued (out of energy). This fatigue may be
mild or very severe. You may also have trouble sleeping, which
may add to the fatigue.
You may have feelings of numbness
or tingling in parts of your body, or a feeling of poor blood
flow in some areas. Many people are very sensitive to odors,
bright lights, loud noises and even medicines. Headaches and
jaw pain are also common.
In addition, you may have dry
eyes or difficulty focusing on nearby objects. Problems with
dizziness and balance may also occur. Some people have chest
pain, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, or shortness of breath.
Digestive symptoms are also
common in fibromyalgia and include difficulty swallowing,
heartburn, gas, cramping abdominal pain, and alternating
diarrhea and constipation.
Some people have urinary
complaints, including frequent urination, a strong urge to
urinate and pain in the bladder area. Women with fibromyalgia
often have pelvic symptoms, including pelvic pain, painful
menstrual periods and painful sexual intercourse.
Why do I feel depressed?
Depression or anxiety may occur as a result of your
constant pain and fatigue, or the frustration you feel with
the condition. It is also possible that the same chemical
imbalances in the brain that cause fibromyalgia also cause
depression and anxiety.
Does fibromyalgia cause permanent
damage?
No. Although
fibromyalgia causes symptoms that can be very uncomfortable,
your muscles and organs are not being damaged. This condition
is not life-threatening, but it is chronic (ongoing). Although
there is no cure, you can do many things to help you feel
better.
Is there any medicine I can take to help
my symptoms?
Several medicines can help
relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia. Many of these medicines are
taken before bedtime and improve your sleep. They also help
the pain and other symptoms.
You will probably begin to notice
the benefits of these medicines in about 6 to 8 weeks. When
you begin taking these medicines, it is common to feel very
groggy the following morning. Other possible side effects
include dry eyes and mouth, nightmares, constipation and
increased appetite. These side effects are worse when you
begin taking the medicine and improve with time.
What else can I do to relieve my
symptoms?
One of the best things you can do
is low-impact aerobic exercise. Examples of this type of
exercise include swimming or water exercise, stationary
bicycling and exercising on ski-type machines. You may need to
begin at a very low level of exercise (5 minutes every other
day is helpful at first). Continue to increase the length and
frequency of exercise until you are exercising for at least 30
to 60 minutes at least 4 times a week. Once you reach this
point, you can consider switching to high-impact exercises,
like walking, jogging and tennis.
Because the symptoms of
fibromyalgia are made worse by stress and poor sleep, it is
important to cut stress out of your life whenever possible and
to get as much sleep as you need. Since alcohol and caffeine
cause poor sleep, avoid these substances around bedtime.
Other simple lifestyle changes
may be helpful. For example, try keeping your activity level
the same each day. Many people with fibromyalgia try to do as
much as possible on "good" days, which leads them to have
several "bad" days. If you keep your activity level even, you
may not have as many "bad" days.
Other Organizations
Fibromyalgia
Network
http://www.fmnetnews.com
P.O. Box 31750
Tucson, AZ
85751-1750
800-853-2929
Arthritis
Foundation
http://www.arthritis.org
800-283-7800
Source
Treating
Fibromyalgia (American Family Physician October 1, 2000,
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001001/1575.html)
