Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Physical Health - FIBROMYALGIA

If you have some of these symptoms please see your physician. If he won't listen to you, keep trying until you have found a doctor who will listen to YOU. Remember, we know our bodies better than anyone else, so if you are ill and no one is doing anything about it, keep fighting and find a doctor who will help you. The best doctor to see regarding Fibromyalgia is a Rheumatologist. Although there are some Rheumatologist who do not treat Fibromyalgia, so when you call to schedule an appointment, make sure you ask first.

Before you go to any doctor, make a list of all your symptoms; all medications you are on along with all allergies; your diagnosed illnesses, surgeries and hospital stays. Also, start making a list of all medications you have been on; why, when and date and reason for not taking it now, i.e. “allergic to med”, or “did not help” etc. Also, keep a record of all medical tests and treatments. You have the right to ask for a copy of everything that pertains to you.

Be persistent; be bold; and if you are too tired to fight for yourself then have a concerned family member or friend become your advocate. The key is to be heard, seen, and treated

Ilness Summary for:
FIBROMYALGIA : FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons – the fibrous tissues in the body. FMS used to be called fibrositis, implying that there was inflammation in the muscles, but research later proved that inflammation did not exist. Most patients with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn. More women than men are afflicted with fibromyalgia, but it shows up in people of all ages. Symptoms include: pain, fatigue, sleep disorder, Joint Dysfunction Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome, and may also include: painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrheal), chest pain, morning stiffness, cognitive or memory impairment, numbness and tingling sensations, muscle twitching, irritable bladder, the feeling of swollen extremities, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and mouth, frequent changes in eye prescription, dizziness, and impaired coordination can occur. Treatment includes medications to reduce pain and increase the ability to sleep. Long term follow-up studies on fibromyalgia syndrome have shown that it is chronic, but the symptoms may wax and wane. The impact that FMS can have on daily-living activities, including the ability to work a full-time job, differs among patients. Overall, studies have shown that fibromyalgia can be equally as disabling as rheumatoid arthritis.

Contact: The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association, Inc., 6380 E. Tanque Verde, Suite D, Tucson, AZ 85715; Phone: 520-733-1570; Website: http://www.afsafund.org or Fibromyalgia Nework, P.O. Box 31750, Tucson, AZ 85751; Phone: 800-853-2929; Website: www.fmnetnews.com

6 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

Yep. All sounds familiar!

Marsha said...

I've wondered at times if I have this. But, as usual, doctors just kinda blow it off. So many of those symptoms are true of me. Any suggestions?

Sharon said...

Ohhhhhh my I have almost all those symptoms, that just gave me a reason to pray for myself. Wow that scares me.

Missy said...

I've had some muscle and joint issues for a while now. I keep waiting for Mom to get some sort of diagnosis and then I will follow suit.
I am going to the ENT tomorrow, although that has nothing to do with the muscle/joint stuff. Just tired of living with the sinus stuff. Logan is going too.

Hope you are having a good day :)

Denise said...

Thanks for this great information.

Marsha said...

Yes, I made that comment. I just signed in other my gmail account accidentally.