Fibromyalgia

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Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain and stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue, and sleep disturbances. The most common sites of pain include the neck, back, shoulders, pelvic girdle, and hands, but any body part can be affected. Fibromyalgia patients experience a range of symptoms of varying intensities that wax and wane over time.

While fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases affecting the muscles, its cause is currently unknown. The painful tissues involved are not accompanied by tissue inflammation. Therefore, despite potentially disabling body pain, patients with fibromyalgia do not develop body damage or deformity. Fibromyalgia also does not cause damage to internal body organs.

Sources:
National Fibromyalgia Association: http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?JServSessionIdr001=bbidnip2m4.app6b&pagename=fibromyalgia 
MedicineNet: http://www.medicinenet.com/fibromyalgia/article.htm  

Sources:
Medindia.net: http://www.medindia.net/patients/patientinfo/fibromyalgia.htm
WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-symptoms-types 

The cause of fibromyalgia is not known. Patients experience pain in response to stimuli that are normally not perceived as painful. Studies of pain in fibromyalgia have suggested that the central nervous system (brain) may be somehow supersensitive.

It's likely that a number of factors contribute to the development of fibromyalgia. Other theories as to the cause of fibromyalgia include:

The symptoms of fibromyalgia come in many shapes and sizes, and are often confused with other conditions.

Fibromyalgia symptoms can range from pain and sleep problems to dry eyes and irritable bowel.

Mental and/or emotional disturbances occur in over half of fibromyalgia patients. These symptoms include poor concentration, forgetfulness, mood changes, irritability, depression, and anxiety. Since a firm diagnosis of fibromyalgia is difficult, and no confirmatory laboratory tests are available, patients with fibromyalgia are often misdiagnosed as having depression as their primary underlying problem.

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include migraine and tension headaches, numbness or tingling of different parts of the body, abdominal pain related to irritable bowel syndrome ("spastic colon"), and irritable bladder, causing painful and frequent urination. Like fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome can cause chronic abdominal pain and other bowel disturbances without detectable inflammation of the stomach or the intestines.

Each patient with fibromyalgia is unique. Any of the above symptoms can occur intermittently and in different combinations.

Since the symptoms of fibromyalgia are diverse and vary among patients, treatment programs must be individualized for each patient. Treatment programs are most effective when they combine patient education, stress reduction, regular exercise, and medications.

Patient education is an important first step in helping patients understand and cope with the diverse symptoms. Therefore, community hospital support groups and the local chapters of the Arthritis Foundation have become important educational resources for patients and their doctors.

Stress reduction in the treatment of fibromyalgia must be individualized. Stress reduction might include simple stress modification at home or work, biofeedback, relaxation tapes, psychological counseling, and/or support among family members, friends, and doctors. Sometimes, changes in environmental factors (such as noise, temperature, and weather exposure) can exacerbate the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and these factors need to be modified.

Exercise - Low-impact aerobic exercises, such as swimming, cycling, walking and stationary cross-country ski machines can be effective treatments for fibromyalgia. Exercise may exert its beneficial effect by promoting a deep level of sleep (non-REM sleep).

Medications - Traditionally, the most effective medications in the treatment of fibromyalgia have been the tricyclic antidepressants, medications traditionally used in treating depression.

Studies have shown that adding fluoxetine (Prozac), or related medications, to low-dose Elavil further reduces muscle pain, anxiety, and depression in patients with fibromyalgia. The combination is also more effective in promoting restful sleep and improving an overall sense of well-being. Prozac has also been shown to be effective when used alone for some patients with fibromyalgia.

Other treatments - Local injections of analgesics and/or cortisone medication into the trigger-point areas can also be helpful in relieving painful soft tissues, while breaking cycles of pain and muscle spasm.

Both biofeedback and electroacupuncture have been used for relief of symptoms with some success. Standard acupuncture was recently reported to be effective in treating some patients with fibromyalgia.

• Susan Southard says, "I have had Fibromyalgia for almost 7 years - the misery and the pain that I would face just about everyday, was at times unbearable. I couldn't play with my two boys, ages 10 & 3; wearing shoes at times was awful because it would just make the pain worse. Sleep didn't come easy either...Since Herbalife, I have been pain free and off all my medications! Thank god and thank you Herbalife, and many thanks to my supervisor / sponsor and friend Tonya Bridges!! I'm on the ultimate program and Tang Kuei, lost 16 pounds and 15 inches in a little over 2 months, and my energy is amazing!"
   
• Ellen Pearce tells Herbacall, "I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia just over 4 years ago. I was a Registered Nurse, but due to the extreme pain & stiffness in my legs & thighs, I spent most of my time hobbling or on crutches. I also suffered from extreme pain in other muscles in my body, foggy headnedness, irritable bowel syndrome and sleeplessness, all due to Fibromyalgia...It is now January, 2006 and I have remained symptom-free for a whole year. At first I was extremely sceptical, having tried so many methods & products, however, that sceptiscism was short lived. I take the following products: Ultimate Program, Aloe Concentrate, Florafibre, Herbalifeline, XtraCal, Tang Kuei, and Protein Powder. I am so pleased that Herbalife found me and I will be on these products for life!"
   
• Cindy Blann said proudly, "I've had Fibromyalgia w/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for about 15 yrs. Since I started on the products a week and a half ago, not only have I lost 9 lbs., but for the first time in 15 years, the pain of my FMS is noticeably lessening, the muscles in my upper back from it are relaxing - UNHEARD OF FOR ME! And...for the Chronic Fatigue, I'm gaining energy- never knew what "energy" was!!!"
   
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