Re: Fibromyalia syndrome vs myofascial pain syndrome

[Guest guest]

I've done a lot of reading of articles by Dr. Devin, who is, by the way, a

woman. I did a posting to one of my groups awhile back on the differences

between MPS and FMS and CFS, all of which I have been dx'd with. The differences

are honestly sometimes subtle, but some doctors can help you differentiate. The

important thing to us as patients is that they all cause a lot of pain, and it's

hard to 'see' beyond that fact. However, my MPS causes large bands of hard,

knotty and stiff muscles that can be felt by a therapist by touching them. The

FM causes tender points which a therapist must know the location of to begin

with, as he/she cannot feel them by touch. I'm very 'foggy' today, and don't

know if I can explain it very well. But...when I need an injection, say a flu

shot, the nurse keeps telling me to relax my arm muscle so the needle can go in

more easily. HOWEVER, my muscles will NOT relax, no matter how hard I try to do

so. That is caused by the MPS.

I have an excellent chiro who helps 'relax' these muscle bands by manipulation.

He has a massage therapist who is skilled in 'tender point' massage. This hurts

like H--L! but if you can bear it, once he has 'released' those, your FM

symptoms will feel better for quite a while. On the other hand, traditional trp

release therapy can make us worse. There are acupuncture procedures which can be

used with more success on us, but they are not always effective.

Not all people who have FM have MPS, but many do. Since effective treatment for

one often does not help the other, or at times even makes it worse, it is hard

to find treatment to help both. It is a good idea for you to bring this up with

your doctor. I read a few weeks ago that there is now a scan which can

definitely dx MPS, however since it is so new, I don't know if insurance will

cover it or not, It's still a step in the right direction.

You might want to bring your books along to your appointment, you could

underline passages that are causing confusion. Dr. Devin is amazing. She has

made this study her life work.

There is a very good article at About.com discussing these issues. It might help

clarify some of your questions. I love About.com, but make sure you have a

pop-up blocker or it can drive you crazy.

http://thyroid.about.com/od/fibromyalgiacfscfids/a/devinstarlanyl.htm

And, no, I have no idea why they listed it under thyroid. If you do a google

search on her, you will find many articles written by and about her. This is her

official website:

http://www.sover.net/~devstar/index.htm

Also, she has just posted the following message on her site regarding New

Nomenclature:

All material written by me after October 1, 2007, will have the following

changes in nomenclature. I regret any confusion caused by this change, but deem

it necessary due to the changes in our current understanding of the conditions

involved.

The abbreviation for myofascial trigger point, " TrP, " is replaced by " MTP. "

The term Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) will no longer be used, as current

research shows it is not a syndrome but a true myopathy, and thus a true

disease.

There are acute MTPs and chronic myofascial pain (CMP) due to MTPs. Where

applicable, CMP will be separated into CMP Stage 1 (without central

sensitization) and CMP Stage 2 (with central sensitization).

Fibromyalgia (FM) will replace the former term fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).

So, things are changing on an almost daily basis for us. We are being

legitimised. That is so amazing in and of itself.

Peace and Love

Caroline

> I recently purchased two books by Deven J. Starlanyl, M.D. The

> Fibromyalgia Advocate is a great book. Full of good and useful

> information especially for fighting for your rights, self advocacy,

> and understanding the system.

>

> But...

>

> I'm left feeling kind of confused b/c he makes this big point in both

> the books I purchased about how FMS is different and separate from

> MPS. He goes on to define FMS as a " specific, chronic,

> nondegenerative, nonprogressive, noninflammatory, truly systemic pain

> condition. Whereas MPS is defined as " a neuromuscular condition " and

> " ...is caused by mechanical failures, not biochemistry. " FMS has

> tender points were MPS has trigger points (and there can be many). If

> you have FMS that doesn't necessarily mean you have MPS and vice

> versa. But if you have them both apparently they can feed off each

> other making you feel worse, and worse, and worse.

>

> So... I'm just still very confused. I had never heard of this MPS

> before. I think b/c it may be lumped all together under FMS but this

> author made a BIG deal that they are separate syndromes and not to

> confuse the two.

>

> So...

>

> I'm curious if anyone has a take on this? I'm going to discuss it

> with my RH doctor next month and see what he has to say.

>

> In the meanwhile, I'm trying to control/fight off a major flare in my

> left shoulder/back area. This are is one of the worse in terms of

> pain and almost impossible for me to major with the medications I

> have. It breaks through just about everything.

>

>

>

>

>

> 1. While it is wonderful to share our experiences with everyone on the

> list as to what treatments do and don't work for us, pls always check

> with your dr. Some treatments are dangerous when given along with other

> meds as well as to certain health conditions or just dangerous in

> general.

>

> 2. If you are in a difficult situation (doesn't matter what it is) pls

> don't be afraid to ask for help. It is the first step to trying to make

> that situation better.

>

> 3. To unsubscribe the e-mail is:

> Fibromyalgia_Support_Group-unsubscribe

>

> 4. Also, it is not uncommon for more than one member to be feeling bad at

> the same time when it comes to flares and b/c of that potentially take

> something another member says the wrong way. And that includes the

> things that one member may find funny (even if it's laughing at fibro

> itself) even though we who deal with illness whether one such as fibro or

> multiple illnesses try to keep a sense of humor.

>

> 5. Pls let's be gentle with each other, and if you are having a bad day

> pls let us know so that we can do our best to offer our support.

>

> Have a nice day everyone.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

> please excuse my ignorance, but what is MPS? Just wondering, b/c I seem

> to have more of the trigger points then the tender points.

>

> Judy in WI