Guest guest Posted August 23, 2001 Report Share Posted August 23, 2001 The imprecise meaning is " muscle pain. " Fibromyalgia is a (usually) chronic condition that appears mostly in women. It's not at all well understood and, until recently, many physicians swore that it didn't exist. Usually there is extreme tenderness at a minimum of 11 of 18 documented hot spots over the torso. (There's actually a chart they can use showing where these are located.) The pain sometimes begins after a viral infection, sometimes after trauma to the body. All testing (X-Rays, etc) show no visible injury but the pain can be excruciating and last for years. Some research has shown that people with fibromyalgia have increased levels of the " P " enzyme, designated the pain enzyme, in their spinal fluid. Therefore we feel pain when we shouldn't. Some treatments are anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, hot/cold packs, deep tissue massage (which I personally think is sadistic.) Unlike arthritis, lifting light weights can actually increase the muscle damage. Doctors want you to exercise but aren't really sure what kind is best. Some people swear by particular diets to help alleviate symptoms. It's an extremely irritating disease. P > > Re: sciatica > > > > completely disabled from my fibromyalgia and arthritis pain. Within > > Okay...I've seen this mentioned twice lately. What's " fibromyalgia " ?? > > alyssa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2001 Report Share Posted August 23, 2001 I have Myofascial Pain Syndrome, which my doctor calls a cousin of fibromyalgia. In my case, I have pain (from mild to severe) nearly everywhere but my stomach from my waist to the top of my head. I get " triggerpoints " on my head, face, neck, back, shoulders, and arms to my wrists. (As for my wrists, I have bilateral carpal tunnel so that takes care of that!) Oh, I forgot, I also have triggerpoints in my butt muscles. When my triggerpoints are touched or inflamed, pain travels to other areas of my body. I'm on 2 different kinds of medication for it, including a strong pain-killer. Treatment includes having my therapist push a wooden round device into the triggerpoint, holding it for 30 seconds and releasing. It hurts like hell but it (temporarily) releases the muscle. When she's done, I can actually turn my neck and move better. I just wished it lasted! Having said all that, if I had a choice between the two, I would keep the MPS. I don't know that I could handle fibromyalgia. I really feel for the people who have it. dee --- wrote: > The imprecise meaning is " muscle pain. " Fibromyalgia > is a (usually) > chronic condition that appears mostly in women. It's > not at all well > understood and, until recently, many physicians > swore that it didn't > exist. Usually there is extreme tenderness at a > minimum of 11 of 18 > documented hot spots over the torso. (There's > actually a chart they > can use showing where these are located.) The pain > sometimes begins > after a viral infection, sometimes after trauma to > the body. All > testing (X-Rays, etc) show no visible injury but the > pain can be > excruciating and last for years. Some research has > shown that people > with fibromyalgia have increased levels of the " P " > enzyme, designated > the pain enzyme, in their spinal fluid. Therefore we > feel pain when > we shouldn't. Some treatments are > anti-inflammatories, muscle > relaxers, hot/cold packs, deep tissue massage (which > I personally > think is sadistic.) Unlike arthritis, lifting light > weights can > actually increase the muscle damage. Doctors want > you to exercise but > aren't really sure what kind is best. Some people > swear by particular > diets to help alleviate symptoms. > It's an extremely irritating disease. > P > > > > > Re: sciatica > > > > > > > completely disabled from my fibromyalgia and > arthritis pain. > Within > > > > Okay...I've seen this mentioned twice lately. > What's " fibromyalgia " ?? > > > > alyssa > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2001 Report Share Posted August 24, 2001 re: fibromyalgia > think is sadistic.) Unlike arthritis, lifting light weights can > actually increase the muscle damage. Doctors want you to exercise but > aren't really sure what kind is best. Some people swear by particular > diets to help alleviate symptoms. > It's an extremely irritating disease. > P My goodness...it sounds *awful*! I'm so sorry you have this! alyssa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2001 Report Share Posted August 24, 2001 re: fibromyalgia > think is sadistic.) Unlike arthritis, lifting light weights can > actually increase the muscle damage. Doctors want you to exercise but > aren't really sure what kind is best. Some people swear by particular > diets to help alleviate symptoms. > It's an extremely irritating disease. > P My goodness...it sounds *awful*! I'm so sorry you have this! alyssa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 25, 2001 Report Share Posted August 25, 2001 Dear P: I also have fibromyalgia and was wondering if you are pre or post op? I would like to know how you are feeling. Do you notice less pain? What about the flue like symptoms? What kind of exercise do you do? I have had the diagnosis for about 6 years. When I first became ill, long before I knew what it was, I started to gain weight because I stopped moving. In about 2 1/2 years I gained about 120lbs. I now exercise regularly but find that the weight is clinging to me. I can hardly walk and for any outings, where more than a few steps is involved, I must use a wheelchair. I try to walk as much as possible in the house and yard. My pain is pretty chronic and some days are much worse than others. So, I am hoping that you might be able to give me some good news like the surgery has reduced your pain even a little. Has the condition, in your opinion, slowed weight loss? I have spoken with a few other people who have fibro and received mixed reviews. One person is losing slowly but she is having a revision another has lost just fine but she still has a significant amount of pain especially after exercise. Any thing you feel comfortable sharing would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Sheryle Dr Keshishian 10-10-01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2003 Report Share Posted April 8, 2003 Yes I have fibromyalgia & Dish disease of the spine & I'm beginning to think my esophagus pain is fibromyalgia pain.....which only Trazadone relieves. I can hardly breathe on some days with pain in the chest & not sure what is producing it, the fibromyalgia or Barrett's esophagus, esophageal spasms, or my Dish disease? Or Cp shooting up bile? I have Epstein-barr virus, herpes simplex 2 on the tailbone, and have had 2 outbreaks of shingles! Memory? I can't even remember all the diseases I have! I have Scleraderma in my family....does anybody with CP have Scleraderma? I wish they could connect some of my symptoms to one disease! I also can't remember who asked....but hopefully you will find me. Like to talk re Fibro..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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