‘’Fibromyalgia” The Invisible Disease By Kathryn Revis
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f you grew up in Rabun County, you may have undoubtedly been the victim of a “Snipe Hunt”. Briefly, a “Snipe Hunt” entails being sent out in the dark, with a bag, to catch a Snipe In this particular scenario, the Snipe is a nonexistent animal whose description varies. In a Snipe Hunt you are left alone in the dark. Imagine enjoying the company of your children and grandchildren; when out of the blue, you begin to ache and hurt from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. You suddenly feel extremely tired and feel as though you have the flu. You no longer feel like playing with your grandchildren and they don’t understand why and neither do you! If you experience widespread aching muscles and joints, insomnia, depression, tender points on your body, irritable bowel syndrome and brain fogginess, you may be experiencing symptoms of Fibromyalgia. These are just a few of the numerous, and varying symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Just as the legendary snipe defies a succinct description, so does the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. The important difference is a Snipe is nonexistent while Fibromyalgia is very real. However, diagnosing Fibromyalgia can be just as elusive as the legendary snipe. While many individuals may experience different symptoms, there are enough common symptoms, when considered along with an individual’s history and physical, to lead to the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. There is not a single test or tests that diagnosis Fibromyalgia, rather, it is really a diagnosis of exclusions. Since many of the Fibromyalgia symptoms can be the same as other diseases; these other diseases must be ruled out. Traditionally Fibromyalgia has been diagnosed by identifying certain “Trigger Points” (tender points) in specific areas of the body which elicit pain when palpated. It is estimated that Fibromyalgia affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans Fibromyalgia predominately affects women but can also affect men. You might be asking, “What is Fibromyalgia?“ When you get injured, nerve signals travel through your spinal cord to your brain. It is a warning that something is wrong and you feel pain. However if you have Fibromyalgia you experience these painful sensations even when you are not sick or injured. Some doctors think that individuals with Fibromyalgia may have a “glich” in their transmission of pain from the body to the spinal cord and brain. Perhaps those individuals may have more cells that carry pain and fewer cells that slow pain signals? Pain is intensified in
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these individuals and this is real! The quality of life for these individuals is reduced as with any chronic illness. What causes Fibromyalgia has not been proven scientifically. It is thought many factors could causes one’s body pain signals to react abnormally. Genes are a possible factor as Fibromyalgia tends to run in families. I know of two sisters, both diagnosed with Fibromyalgia by different doctors who would have bad flares on the same day. Other painful conditions like arthritis or infections can increase your chance of getting Fibromyalgia. It is thought by some that emotional or physical abuse or PTSD can be culprits causing or contributing to Fibromyalgia, as is depression and anxiety. Also lack of exercise can be a factor contributing to this condition. So what is the treatment for Fibromyalgia? The treatments are varied and are mostly based on the individual’s personal symptoms. The first objective is to find the right doctor who has knowledge of Fibromyalgia. It is most important to find a doctor who believes and empathizes with the pain associated with this condition; and who is willing to work with the patient to find the best treatment for their symptoms. Finding the best possible treatment for an individual can be long and arduous for both the individual and for the doctor. It is believed that a multi-disciplinary approach is the most effective means of treating Fibromyalgia. This approach includes Medication, Alternative Remedies, and Lifestyle Habits. The FDA has approved three Drugs that are thought to help the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. These are Cymbalta, (an antidepressant), Savella, (which affects certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters) and Lyrica (pregablin) which is an antiseizure. Of course, like any drug these drugs come with side effects and risk and should be closely monitored by you and your doctor. In addition, complementary therapies that may prove effective include physical therapy, diet, chiropractic, massages, dietary supplements and exercise. Alternative therapies might included acupuncture, herbalism or homeopathy. Center to all these treatments is stress reduction as stress is a common thread among Fibromyalgia suffers. Joining a support group online or in person and having your family understand and empathize with your symptoms can be most helpful in preventing your “feeling alone in the dark”. Kathryn Speed Revis is a retired Registered Nurse with a lifetime of experience teaching and practicing nursing in some of Georgia’s finest hospitals. Her articles are intended to offer practical advice on facing health conditions and living your best life.
