Fibromyalgia Syndrome

What is Fibromyalgia?

WHERE CAN I GET HELP?Autoimmune Resource & Research Centre

Telephone: 02 49214095 email: ARRC@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au

web: www.autoimmune.org.au

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Original artwork and design Morgan Williams, Griphon Graphics © 2014

Things that may be helpful

• Keeping warm and always warming muscle with gentle stretchingbeforestartingtheday.

• Drinkplentyofwatertoreducedrynesssymptoms.

• Agoodsupportiveneckpillowforresting.

• Bodysleepsupportssuch as body pillows can help withbackpain.

• Gentlemassagewithmoisturising lotionstohelpitchyskinandtightmuscles.

• Heatpacksandwaterbottles for temporary relief of painful joints.

• Stress management, including counselling, biofeedbackandrelaxation techniquesareoftenbeneficial.

Learntotimetableresttimesafteractivetimes.

Tailoredexerciseprograms which could include Aqua aerobics, Tai Chi, Pilates, Qi Gong or gentle Yoga can help ease muscle tension and pain.

Your diet should include a variety of healthy foods.

Live well and enjoy life.

What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

Thefibromyalgiasyndrome(FMS)isachronicpaincondition,usuallyaccompaniedby

ongoingperiodsofexhaustion.Thewordcomesfromfibromeaningfibroustissue

(ligaments&tendons),myomeaningmuscle,and algia is used to describe pain.

Approximately2-10%ofthepopulationwillhave experiencewithfibromyalgiaovertheirlifetime. The syndrome ranges from mild to severe and can last for varyingperiodsoftimefromquiteshorttoextendedlongperiods.Amildcaseismerelyanuisance.Severecasescanaffectqualityoflifepreventingpeoplelivingwithfibromyalgiatoalterthewaytheylivetheirlives,workandsocialise.

Fibromyalgiacanaffectallagegroups,includingchildrenhoweverismorecommonin35-50yearolds.Itisalsomorecommoninwomenthan men 10:1 although more men are now being diagnosed with thecondition.ChildrenandyoungpeoplewhohaveFMSareoftenmistakenlydiagnosedashavinggrowingpainsorbehaviouralproblems.

Mostpeoplewithfibromyalgiahaveadditionalhealthproblemsthataffectvariousfunctionsinmindandbody,andmanyalsohavediseasesoftheimmunesystemsuchasrheumatoidarthritis,lupus,sclerodermaand Sjögrens.

FMSisacomplexconditionthatcanbetriggeredbyanumberoffactorssuchasafallorautoaccident,childbirthorhysterectomyor,often,aviralillness,suggestingageneticpredisposition.Withresearchgoingonintoitsmanyaspects,itislikelythatmoreeffectivetreatmentwillsoonbe found.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Peoplewithfibromyalgiahurtalloverfeelingwidespreadpaininmanydifferentpartsofthebodyincludingarms,legs,back,chest,hands,feetandevencheekbonesandjaw.Theyalsocanexperienceextremetirednessorfatigue.Fibromyalgiaitselfcausesnodetectabledamagetotissuesororgansinthebody.Nooneknowswhatcausesfibromyalgia,althoughstudieshavefound: ahighlevelofsubstanceP,apaintransmitter,inthe spinalfluidofpeoplewhohavethecondition,aswellas

low levels of serotonin, a chemical that moderates pain.

The pain tends to get worse in the parts of the body that are used the most, suggesting that muscles may lack sufficient oxygen or have aloweredabilitytouseoxygenasfuel.

Many people with fibromyalgia have sleep disorders which causeconstantinterruptionsofthedeep,slow-wavesleepneededforrestandrestorationoftissue.Thisisthelikelycauseoftheprofoundfatiguethatpeopleexperience.

Other health problems How is it diagnosed?

Many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia can be found in otherconditionsaswell.Thereforeadiagnosisoffibromyalgiastartswithtakingapatient’smedicalhistoryandprescribinglabteststhatwillruleoutsuchconditionsasthecauseofthesymptoms.Fibromyalgiaisthendiagnosedby2criteria:

1. Widespread pain for at least 3 months, and

2.11ormoreofthe18defined tender points “tender points” foundinpreciselocations on the body. Thisparticularpattern of tender points occurs onlyinFMS.

How is it treated?

Treatmentoffibromyalgiaisaimedatalleviatingitssymptoms.

Self-managementtechniques thatcanhelppromoteemotional wellbeingincludingmeditation andvisualisationtechniqueshave been shown to reduce some oftheeffectsofFMS.

The use of therapy aids such as heatpacks,andsupportpillows while sleeping have also been reportedtobebeneficial.

Exercise,afterwarmingandgentlestretching muscle can be of help to alleviate some joint and muscle pain,aswellaspromotingbettersleeppatternsresulting inreducedfatigue.Exerciseshouldbeanindividualised program.ExercisesuchasTaiChi,QiiGongandsome gentleyogaorstretchingsuitmanyFMSpatients.

Medicationscanbealsoprescribedin consultationwithyourdoctor. Medicationsareusuallyprescribedto

improve sleep reduce pain, or increase Serotonin levels.

Irritable bowel numb & tingling hands & feet

migraine o

r headach

esitching skin

dizzinessmuscle spasms

tender lymph nodes

sensitivity to environment

memoryblanks

confusion

panic attackblurred vision

sore throats

stiff & painful joints and muscles