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FibroFoggyKaty1
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Date Posted：08-10-2016 9:11 AM FIBROMYALGIA General Introduction Fibromyalgia (FM for short) is not a life threatening illness but is often life changing. It does not necessarily affect everyone in the same way. It is a condition that is often invisible to others, however research supports that FM is a distinct clinical condition. FM is recognised by the Department of Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and is listed on the NHS Direct website. Fibromyalgia is a condition of: chronic widespread pain / chronic pain amplification fatigue The pain involves mainly: muscles tendons tendons hold muscles to bones. ligaments ligaments hold bones together. bursa a bursa is a fluid filled sac that decreases the friction over joints. WHAT DOES THE WORD FIBROMYALGIA MEAN? Fibromyalgia is possibly a word that you have never heard of before. What does it mean? Fibro = Fibrous Tissues (tendons & ligaments) My = Muscle Algia = Pain These tender places occur symmetrically on both sides of the body: A. at the base of the skull beside the spinal column; B. at the base of the neck in the back; C. on the top of the shoulder toward the back; D. on the breastbone; E. on the outer edge of the forearm about 2 cm below the elbow; F. over the shoulder blade; G. at the top of the hip; H. on the outside of the hip; and I. on the fat pad over the knee. WHAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH FIBROMYALGIA? In addition to widespread pain and fatigue, fibromyalgia syndrome can be associated with: irritable bowel syndrome fluctuating stiffness a feeling of weakness numbness and tingling in the extremities cold intolerance poor sleep headaches chest pain cognitive difficulties painful menstruation jaw pain restless leg syndrome dizziness (balance problems) anxiety/panic attacks muscle pain or morning stiffness chronic fatigue syndrome sensitivity to light, smells, temperature, sound as well as other symptoms It can be called a "Head to Toe" condition. WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF FIBROMYALGIA? Seen in about 2—4% of the population, affects men, women, and children of all ages, races and economic backgrounds. Onset of symptoms can be at any age, but mainly from 20-60 years of age. Mild to incapacitating, no two people are the same Variable chronic symptoms Pain changes location Affects women more than men in the ratio: 9 to 1 WHAT CAUSES FIBROMYALGIA? Some possible triggers of FM are: some sort of trauma such as a fall or car accident a viral infection hormonal problems an operation muscle physiology problems—decreased oxygen supply to muscles may account for some of the pain mechanism or it begins without any obvious trigger It is a complicated condition: which often has more than one factor involved may even stem from a genetic predisposition it is an "end point" condition with multiple paths leading to it LATEST RESEARCH HAS IDENTIFIED: a deficiency in Serotonin in the central nervous system and a resulting imbalance of Substance P (a transmitter substance that sends pain messages to the brain) The effect of this is: disordered Sensory Processing (the brain registers pain, which is amplified, when others might experience a slight ache or stiffness) Research now strongly indicates: that a central nervous system dysfunction is primarily responsible for the increased pain sensitivity of FM With these advances come the hope that a cause may be found and hence a cure, or at least more effective treatment. WILL THE PAIN WORSEN? People with fibromyalgia have physical abnormalities that result in pain amplification, causing pain to be perceived even when they are exposed to sensations that would not normally cause pain i.e. wearing certain items of clothing, a touch on the arm or even a bright light can cause extreme pain & fatigue. the pain usually consists of generalised aching, it can be described as stabbing, burning, or even cramping—a sense of "I hurt all over" certain parts of the body may be particularly painful the pain may move around and be accompanied by muscle spasm the pain can fluctuate from day to day, even hour to hour everyone with fibromyalgia syndrome will experience worsening of their pain from time to time; that is part of the illness usually the worsening is temporary, and is known as a flare-up, we can’t stop this from happening, some people have frequent flare-ups others don’t HOW TO BE A FIBROMYALGIA SURVIVOR Educate Yourself, your Family and Friends/ Learn about the condition Concentrate on the "positives", accept that you have fibromyalgia and it is not life threatening, nor deforming, nor paralysing Understand that at this present time there is no cure for FM, but you can do a lot to help yourself, create your own health-care support team, do not be afraid to ask for help Make contact with a Local Support Group Work with your Medical Professionals to actively discover what works best for you Learn to self manage your illness, focus on you strengths, try to reduce your stress levels, expect to enjoy a good quality of life despite having fibromyalgia WHAT HELPS WITH PAIN MANAGEMENT? Think positively Making time for fun and laughter, Express your feelings can also help to switch negative thoughts to positive ones. Focusing your mind away from pain Pay attention to your breathing Relaxation is important. Massage. Exercise daily Regular exercise is essential to help reduce pain. Ask your GP for more information about moderate exercise to keep pain at bay. Maintain a healthy weight Losing weight will lessen the stress on your joints, and may make you feel better about yourself. Does Fibromyalgia Get Better? Many people with fibromyalgia find that their symptoms and quality of life improve substantially as they identify the most effective treatments and make lifestyle changes. While fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, it does not damage the joints, muscles, or internal organs. Fibromyalgia Association UK : Registered Charity No:1042582 Contact Details: Fibromyalgia Association UK, Studio 3013, Mile End, Abbey Mill Business Centre, 12, Seed Hill Road, Paisley PA1 1JS Office E-mail: head.office@fmauk.org Website: www.fmauk.org e-mail: charity@fmauk.org National Helpline: 0844 887 2444 Available Monday to Friday Between 10:00am and 4:00pm Benefits Helpline: 0844 887 2450 Between 10:00am and 12:00 noon International Awareness Day May 12th Why May 12th? May 12th was designated as ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia International Awareness day in 1993. That particular date of May 12th was chosen to honour the birth date of Florence Nightingale, the English army nurse who inspired the founding of the International Red Cross. Florence worked so hard she became chronically ill in her mid-thirties with an illness like ME/CFS. For the last 40 years of her life she was bedridden for most of the time. Even though Florence was suffering from a debilitating illness, she still managed to become the founder of the world’s first School of Nursing. In 1907 she was the first woman to be awarded the Order of Merit. |
