Fibromyalgia

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Fibromyalgia! What is it?
A pain!!!!
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Definitions

• Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome that causes
  pain and stiffness throughout the tissues that
  support and move the bones and joints.
• a central nervous system disorder that results
  in abnormal pain processing
• the invisible disability or the irritable
  everything syndrome

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Causes

• Not fully understood but thought to be triggered
  by
• Stressors chronic but not acute
• Shock
• Trauma
• Viral Infection
• Could be an inherited weakness, but is not a
  generic disease

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Symptoms

• Pain in muscles, tendons and ligaments
• Fatigue
• Headaches migraines
• Restless legs syndrome
• Non-restorative Sleep insomnia, hypothalamic
  dysfunction
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Memory lapses (Fibro fog!)
• Anxiety Depression

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Diagnosis

• Difficult to acquire!
• Many medics dont recognise it
• Reluctance to diagnose
• Need to eliminate other problems
• Tender point test required
• Usually diagnosed by rheumatologist

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18 Tender Points

• 11 needed for a diagnosis
• Part of chronic pain distress

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Who gets it?

• Approx 3 of the population
• Women outnumber men by 91 on tender point
  diagnosis but otherwise 32
• No age discrimination
• Children and teens can have it too

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Is it curable?

• NO! but remission is possible

Is it treatable?
YES!!
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Treatments
Complementary Medicine Therapies
Supplements

• NHS Medicine
• Prescription Drugs
• Pain Management

Self Management Exercise Pacing Nutrition
Stress reduction Everyone is different!
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Prescription Drugs

• NHS website says these drugs are used to treat
  fibromyalgia
• Antidepressants (short term relief)
• Painkillers (not very effective)
• Tranquillizers
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Dopomine agonists
• Neuropathic pain medicines

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Recommended Supplements

• Omega 3 Fish Oils
• Multivitamins Minerals
• Magnesium
• Melatonin (available from USA)
• Calcium Vit D
• Vit B B12

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Complementary Therapies

• Hypnotherapy Neuro-Linguistic Programming
• Acupuncture - Alexander Technique
• Body Massage - Head Massage
• Reiki - Craniosacral Therapy
• Reflexology - Aromatherapy
• Chiropractic - Osteopathy
• Yoga - Herbal Remedies
• Meditation - Prayer
• Bowen Technique
• Relaxation

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Support

• Family and Friends
• Social Services
• Welfare Benefits
• Expert Patient Programme
• Support Groups e.g.
• Fibromyalgia Support Group for Surrey and Sussex

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Research?

• Mostly in USA
• Last few years some breakthroughs
• Limited in UK because of lack of funds

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Further information

• Internet
• Books
• CDs
• DVDs
• Magazines

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Prognosis for the future

• Research may eventually find a cure if its
  multifaced and looks at subgroups
• Meanwhile its trial and error hoping to find
  something that helps
• HOPE springs eternal!