1 post tagged “fibromyalgia”
The word "fibromyalgia" literally means "muscle pain," translated from Latin. Early studies into the root causes led physicians to surmise it was everything from a tissue disorder or nerve damage to a sleep disorder or biochemical failure. Today it's just as mysterious because it seems to pair up with other ailments, such as myofascial disorder and temperomandibular joint disorder (facial pain). The most common division is Fibromyalgia chronic fatigue, with nearly all sufferers reporting difficulty sleeping, which suggests a link between biochemicals and the muscle pain.
Fibromyalgia chronic fatigue is characterized by musculoskeletal pain that seemingly comes out of nowhere. The easiest way to describe the pain symptoms is to compare it to how you feel when you have the flu - heavy, achy, uncomfortable, sore, "off," and constantly in pain. At night, you'll toss and turn relentlessly. You may have Restless Leg Syndrome or frequently feel like you're falling and when you do finally fall asleep, you'll wake up feeling like you had been up all night. Regardless of the cause, the impact can't be denied. When you miss out on quality sleep time, your body can't replenish itself with Dopamine, Seratonin and other biochemicals it needs to process pain, boost your mood, help you sleep the following night and maintain the body's homeostasis. It's like you're always starting the day one step behind and you can never catch up.
If you've been looking for a cure for 5-8 years like many sufferers of Fibromyalgia chronic fatigue, then chances are you've exhausted most of the obvious options. You're sick of people trying to plan a "better schedule" for you or recommending Tylenol. Anti-depressants and sleeping pills have been known to help some patients, but others require something stronger. Lyrica has been used to treat seizures or diabetes and also has been hailed as a "life saver" for some people with very severe pain that can't be attributed to anything specific. You should be aware that weight gain, depression and habituation are possible side effects. Don't be afraid to get several opinions before rushing into anything.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to join a Fibromyalgia support group to learn more about how others are coping with muscle pain and Fibromyalgia chronic fatigue. By talking with others, you'll feel like you're not crazy and not alone. While the pain is very real, it can be difficult for others to understand the ups and downs associated with your condition. Also, since treatments vary and doctors are still researching, you'll be combining all the knowledge of various physicians and hearing what worked and what didn't.
