Fibromyalgia Symptoms |
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| Question: Where
are the 18 tender points? |
| Answer:
See the Fibromyalgia Tender
Points page for reference. |
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| Question: What
are some symptoms of fibromyalgia? |
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Answer: The main
symptom of central activation is pain basically everywhere.
As we evolve our understanding, it makes sense that
concomitant dovetail problems, such as migraine headaches,
interstitial cystitis, chronic fatigue, and irritable
bowel, etc. share a common heritage. It is not a simple
problem, but it is very real. Because we do not have
a test or marker for this disease does not invalidate
its existence. Our understanding is evolving rapidly.
Specific symptoms described in the literature are tender
points, malaise, and generalized progressive deconditioning.
Interrupted sleep pattern, especially restorative sleep
needs of the individual, are compromised. These symptoms
are vague and nonspecific. I am not a believer in classic
symptom expression that is defined by Travell and Simon,
and others in the popular literature. Believing as I
do that this is a disease of the central nervous system
and the fact that Travell and Simon and many other authors
have virtually no scientific foundation (despite many,
many years of researching) leads me to believe that
we're chasing the cat up the wrong tree.
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| Question: My
mother has constant headaches and toothaches... |
| Answer:
This is a symptom of fibromyalgia. It is non-specific
and is difficult to characterize, but the headaches might
be related to this problem of Nitric Oxide. A lot of research
will be directed toward this. |
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| Question: Is
panic disorder a disease of the central nervous system?
My doctor says panic disorder is part of the Fibro 5.
|
| Answer:
Yes, I believe that panic disorder is a disease of the
central nervous system. Based on your e-mail, it looks
like you've probably got some of the symptoms commonly
associated with fibromyalgia. |
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| Question: Can
fibromyalgia cause depression? |
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Answer: Yes. This
is one of the big parts of Fibro-5. I'm going to call
it reactive depression right now, but in fact, there
are probably alterations in serotonin, a major biochemical
element in the brain. Loss of function and loss of quality
of life is a real player here. I certainly would be
depressed if I couldn't do what I used to enjoy. This
is the fibromyalgia sufferer.
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| Question: Are
low-grade fevers & vertigo a symptom of fibromyalgia? |
|
Answer: These are
symptoms of many diseases and they need to be evaluated.
I hope you've had this evaluated by a medical doctor.
If you do have vertigo that is non-diagnosable (in other
words, you've been worked up), there are certain medications
that will help. This is probably a symptom of fibromyalgia.
I'm never really sure what to make of low-grade fevers.
It can be hormonal, it can be due to unrecognized infection,
or they can be basically normal. It's completely normal
that your body goes up and down in temperature based
on activity and time of day. I, myself, run a temperature
frequently at 100 degrees. Also, different parts of
the body are warmer than other parts of the body. For
example, the ear temperature test is different from
a rectal temperature test.
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| Question: Has
fibromyalgia been linked to heart palpitations? |
| Answer:
Yes. There's a bit of an anxiety component associated
with fibromyalgia (as with most patients in pain). This
is probably part of the issue. I do hear this quite frequently.
I found them in my practice to be benign. But, again,
palpitations should be evaluated by a medical doctor.
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| Question: Is
forgetfulness & memory loss associated with fibromyalgia?
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| Answer:
This is very common with fibromyalgia, interstitial
cystitis and the "Fibro 5". Again, this is a central nervous
system problem, most likely, and memory problems would
fit. This forgetfulness can be treated. Some people have
called it "fibro fog", but I don't like to use terms like
this because they are misleading. Memory loss needs to
be evaluated and not just assumed to be a problem of fibromyalgia.
If it becomes problematic, where it interferes with your
activities of daily living, other issues should be addressed.
This is within the context of safety. See the book for
more information and keep a diary. |
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| Question: Can
skin rashes be part of fibromyalgia? (My doctor calls
it "contact dermatographism"). |
| Answer:
This might be a symptom of fibromyalgia. It's probably
a picture of a more complex problem of central activation.
I can't comment one way or the other. Stick with your
medical doctors and let me know if you have further questions.
I don't have a good answer for this. |
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| Question: Do
fibromyalgia sufferers have allergy problems? |
| Answer:
Frequent allergies, or sensitivities, accompany fibromyalgia.
I think this is an amplified activation and sensitization.
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| Question: Is
it possible to experience bouts of fibromyalgia after
each allergy shot injection? |
|
Answer: A lot of
fibromyalgia patients have sensitivity to environment
and to chemicals. I imagine what you are doing with
allergy shots is increasing the antigen exposure and
possibly flaring up a bit of your central activation.
This is a guess. You may need to ask your allergist.
To better understand this, we have to reach a little
to define what fibromyalgia is. My assumption is that
fibromyalgia is a disease of central activation. This
might explain some of your problems.
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| Question: Can
barometric pressure affect fibromyalgia? |
| Answer:
It's anecdotal, but it does appear to be a problem. I'm
looking into this a little further. I hear this a lot |
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| Question: Do
people with fibromyalgia have problems with TMJ? |
| Answer:
[],
a.k.a. TMJ, is a common problem with fibromyalgia, but
I've not seen good results with most TMJ treatments. PIC
cream is a topical cream I use that I think is very safe
and has done well with TMJ. I believe I understand the
pathophysiology to a limited degree, but I will not comment
until I'm sure. |
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| Question: Are
migraine headaches a symptom of fibromyalgia? |
| Answer:
Yes, migraine headache is one of the Fibro 5 (see our
"Fibro 5" sections). A lot of interest will be revolving
around the role of Nitric Oxide in migrainous headaches
as well as the propagation of fibromyalgia and central
amplification. You'll read about this in the book, and
it is a very difficult subject to present. Nitric Oxide
is a point of research that I think is necessary to evolve
understanding of fibromyalgia. |
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| Question: I have
a lot of headaches in the back of my head where my head
and neck meet. They get very severe sometimes. I also
have sore spots all over my body like my spine, shoulderblades
and neck, like I've been bruised. I'm real tired all the
time and don't sleep good at night. Are these symptoms
of Fibromyalgia? |
| Answer:
Yes, it sounds like you have symptoms of fibromyalgia
reactive myofascial. |
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| Question: Is
there a neuro-chemical/physical correlation between fibromyalgia
and depression? |
| Answer:
There probably is. I don't think it's clearly related
to serotonin, but I think it also has something to do
with norepinephrin and the sensitivity to this naturally
occuring chemical. Antidepressants are fine. They have
to be taken within the context of expectation. Depression
is probably a secondary event to a primary problem of
central amplification. |
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