Is Fibromyalgia Real?

Very Well Health ^ | June 29, 2024 | Adrienne Dellwo

[DoodleBob]

There have long been medical conditions for which people will suffer symptoms even when doctors have no idea what is causing the illness. Scientists will refer to these as idiopathic, meaning that there is no apparent or known cause. Fibromyalgia is one such disorder, alongside chronic fatigue syndrome and certain types of epilepsy, that is considered idiopathic.

To some people, this may be misinterpreted as to mean "not real" or, even worse, "all in one's head." But this is clearly not the case.

Fibromyalgia is a very real medical condition that affects around four million Americans, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite the fact that its cause has not yet been identified, fibromyalgia has characteristics and symptoms that are consistent among those who suffer from the disorder.

Chronic widespread pain is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia. Most people will also experience moderate to severe fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and sensitivity to touch, light, and sound.

For reasons unknown, fibromyalgia affects women far more than men and is often seen in families, particularly first-degree relatives like parents, siblings, and children.

One of the reasons why people often question the existence of fibromyalgia is that it doesn’t have a single, identifiable cause, such as an infection, tumor, or congenital defect. And, while genetics are believed to play a part, scientists have yet to uncover any genetic anomaly that could explain the spectrum of symptoms experienced with fibromyalgia.

As such, fibromyalgia cannot be defined by its cause but rather by symptoms for which there are no other explanations. With no blood test or imaging test able to confirm the condition, doctors have to exclude all other possible conditions before a diagnosis can be made. Even then, a person must meet certain diagnostic criteria…

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TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Society
KEYWORDS: fibromyalgia

[mairdie]

I had it. I caught a flu over one Christmas and was sick the longest and worst of my life. And it never seemed over after that. Exhausted and achy. My doctor sent me to a psychiatrist, which was pretty amusing. I worked 12 hours a day when exhausted instead of 16. He said if there were 3 of me I’d still be exhausted. We spent a few sessions with him telling me all about himself and asking if I could turn his book into a screenplay. I couldn’t afford amusing myself with him so quit seeing him, but have fond memories.

And was still exhausted.

Then I put my back out at work and was sent to PT. As soon as she touched my back, she announced that I had fibromyalgia. The pain came exactly from the correct pressure points for that. She told me to go to a neurologist and ANNOUNCE that I had it. So I did. He gave me a pill to deepen my sleep and I was cured of something I’d had for several years in a month. Did I mention that I ADORE physical therapists!

My primary care doctor wanted to put me on Lyrica instead. I took one pill and was in a mental state I’d never ever imagined getting in. Never took another one. She tried to push me into taking more, so I assume there was some value to her in putting me into a study, but I refused.

So, yes, I believe fibromyalgia is real and treatable. I also believe that there are few doctors that understand it.

[mairdie]

I should add. I went to a research meeting on the topic that was fascinating. The gentleman was from New Zealand, I believe. He believed that fibromyalgia was caused by the change in shape of blood cells that slowed down the movement of oxygen in the blood, leading to fatigue. He was touring the world to collect blood samples to test his theory with world populations. I don’t do needles, so I never followed up with him. But he did have people who let him stick them frequently near a microscope. He discovered that the blood cells could change shape very quickly and pretty dramatically. I don’t know if this was observed only for people WITH or also for people WITHOUT fibromyalgia.

[TheWriterTX]

Have her try Aqua Flora High Potency 9 for candidas. Since she is already on Keto, the system cleanse will reset her microbiome.

I did the candida diet (paleo variation) and used the cleanse. Saw immediate results and in 3 months was completely healed.

Now I can enjoy restricted foods again but know they are triggers for my system, so I partake infrequently. Around the holidays, I get back on the cleanse so I can eat sweets, etc.

Ironically, I ate fairly clean prior to my bout with candidas (mostly salads, fruits, chicken or turkey, no alcohol). I stood 5’8” and weighed 122 lbs. It was the cheese and tomatoes I avoided as a child (but was prevalent in so many Italian dishes I made for my husband/family) that did me in. That, and the yeast in the garlic bread I made to accompany meals.

Fibromyalgia is painful and the side effects are real. I hope she can overcome it and get her life back.

[Pocketdoor]

“Now I can enjoy restricted foods again but know they are triggers for my system, so I partake infrequently. Around the holidays, I get back on the cleanse so I can eat sweets, etc.”
This is her.
Thanks I’ll refer her the Aqua Flora

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Ted Mack says it is caused by Iron Poor Blood.

[doorgunner69]

Does

“virulently anti-Trumps belong on the list?

[lurk]

Talking to a wise old insurance consultant with a PhD who has read widely, he traced a correlation between fibromyalgia and a bitter unforgiving spirit.

[Karliner]

FM appears sort of psychosomatic but also a more sedentary lifestyle in middle age. From what I remember most were females and had depressives dx’s. Every one
So they’re be popping Neurontin, Lurica, SSRI’s and the occasions opioid.

[1066AD]

My elder brother had Fibro., it followed a bout with winter flu’.
He had to retire early because of it and it lasted many, many years. He has recovered somewhat, no one seems to know why or what it really was.

[metmom]

One of the reasons why people often question the existence of fibromyalgia is that it doesn’t have a single, identifiable cause, such as an infection, tumor, or congenital defect.

One reason is because it afflicts women and there's a general disdain for women and writing off their maladies as being *all in their heads*.

[metmom]

I rest my case.

If it afflicted men, they’d have found a cure for it already.

The contempt shown for women by men is disgusting.

[Bullish]

Take two tylenol and call me in the morning.

[Justa]

Well, I think the ‘all in your head’ claim is applied to anyone whom medical professionals can’t diagnose.

Personally, I think the ‘experts’ are covering for the culprit. Possibly an environmental or industrial link where the responsible parties are ‘funding research’ to not show their industry as the cause.

[metmom]

Or another side effect of one or more common medicines.

Just look at Tylenol for example.

And I keep hearing about other meds, many very commonly used, whose *studies* look great until the true results and backgrounds are uncovered and exposed.

All they have to do is bury the unfavorable studies and publish the ones that make them look good. I do NOT trust big pharma at all.

[metmom]

Look at statins for example, with the way they destroy muscle tissue in many people.

Or something like Fosamax that allegedly works for bone density but instead interferes with the bone rebuilding process and causes femur fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw. And that stuff doesn’t leave the body. How do they know it doesn’t affect other organs and systems?

And look how many people are on them.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

My situation was almost identical to yours. I finally went to a naturopathic dr., diet change, some supplements,etc. The muscle weakness and pain was off the charts. Basically the diet was keto.

[DoodleBob]

I referred to this problem above - https://freerepublic.com/focus/chat/4344017/posts?page=10#10

It is stunning - though sadly not surprising - to see this amongst people of reason.

I am heartened by the few folks who see through the emotional response and approach this prudently.