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Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a generalized musculoskeletal
pain and fatigue disorder for which there is an unknown etiology
or cause. Individuals have generalized muscle aches with focally
tender joints. Large muscle groups are tender. They complain of
“burning in muscles.” This is pervasive with slow and
insidious onset. It more commonly appears in the 3rd and 4th decades
of life, and is far more common in women than men. There is speculation
that a virus may be the cause. However it is important to note that
there are NO lab tests to diagnose this disorder and, in fact, many
healthcare professionals question whether or not the disorder actually
exists at all. Fibromyalgia has, however, received a good deal of
press, and there has been an enormous amount of monetary gain funneled
to clinicians who diagnose and treat this as a real disorder.
Interestingly enough, individuals with this disorder not only have
generalized muscle aches and fatigue, they also have sleep disorders,
chronic headaches and irritable bowel problems. Alcohol abuse is
not uncommon as they try to self medicate, and other substances
may also be abused as these individuals travel from healthcare provider
to healthcare provider seeking out different diagnoses and usually
walking away with a variety of different medication.
Causes of Fibromyalgia
Speculation and theories abound as to what causes fibromyalgia,
whether there is a viral or bacterial connection to the onset of
fibromyalgiause, perhaps related to lupus or an endocrine disorder.
Others feel that certain traumas can exacerbate the symptoms. The
bottom line is that we do NOT know what causes fibromyalgia, and
we don’t even at this point whether fibromyalgia exists, as
there are no laboratory studies validating its existence.
Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Because there is usually associated sleep disturbance, we have
found that if we can get individuals to sleep, they do much better
and have decreased symptoms. Subsequently, medications like Sonata,
Ambien, and Halcion are very helpful in getting individuals to sleep.
Individuals should not drink alcohol with these medications. SSRI’s
are also very effective. Anti-depressants such as Paxil, Zoloft,
Serzone, and Elavil have been most helpful in alleviating the symptoms
of fibromyalgia.
It is this author’s experience that individuals with fibromyalgia
become grossly defensive when it is suggested that perhaps they
are depressed. It appears that certain individuals may enjoy clinging
to the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, wearing it like a badge. This
author is not saying that fibromyalgia symptoms DO NOT EXIST. The
symptoms exist and are very real to the patients. However we also
know that with depression, we get very similar symptoms including
generalized fatigue, generalized muscle aches, joint aches, sufferers
may be somewhat despondent, and insomnia. Subsequently, this author
speculates there may be something other than a physiological basis
of fibromyalgia.
In our society, people are leery and defensive with regard to being
labeled, especially where there are stigma attached, such as with
depression. Isn’t it ironic, then, that we have conjured up
two diagnoses over the last few years called fibromyalgia and chronic
fatigue syndrome? The amount of money that is generated by fibromyalgia
and chronic fatigue syndrome is absolutely appalling, in this author’s
opinion. Before we start creating new labels for old diagnoses,
should we not first spend more time finding the cause?
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