June 14th, 2010 by admin

There are many misconceptions about fibromyalgia but, in a sense, they all boil down to one central concern. Is it a “real” disease? For some reason, fibromyalgia has been slotted into the “mental disorder” camp, where those affected are creating their sensations of pain. In part, this reflects a wider problem. Thanks to the persistence of the pharmaceutical industry, many have grown used to the idea that there is a cure for every disease and disorder on the planet. Thus, if there is no cure, it cannot be a “real” physical disease. It must all be happening inside your head. The reality is rather different. Unfortunately, there are a significant number of different diseases and disorders for which there are no “cures”. For some, there will be treatments to make the more obvious symptoms less severe. But the very best many patients can expect is a reduction in pain – such quality of life as there is will be based on learning how to live within the new physical limits. The real problem comes when people believe there is no help for them if they are diagnosed with fibromyalgia. They give up and rapidly become invalids.

There are some very precise criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia which appears to be a disease affecting the way in which the nervous system processes pain messages. The reality is that everyone will feel varying levels of pain. Some times, this will be because of loss of mobility in joints or greater sensitivity when touched. Other times, everything just seems more difficult and pain levels rise even though you are passive. This creates psychological pressure to get through the bad days of pain and fatigue. A failure to come up with coping strategies condemns you to despair and, unchecked, depression. This should emphasize why the use of painkillers is a double-edged sword. The stronger drugs will control the pain. But if you use the drugs too often, it is easy to become dependent on them and this brings with it the threat of withdrawal problems when you try to stop. Read the rest of this entry »