Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that encompasses a wide variety of symptoms and pain conditions. The criteria for a Fibromyalgia diagnosis is arbitrary. Fibromyalgia affects people in many different ways. Symptoms can vary greatly. According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia affects 3 to 6 million Americans. It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but children, the elderly, and men can also be affected.

Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose early. A person may be treated for arthritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, chronic headaches, and other health symptoms that appear to be unrelated. Over the course of several months, or years, these conditions begin a cascading effect and the person may suddenly be overwhelmed with a long list of pain conditions that appear to resist treatment and have no apparent cause.

Unfortunately, these people are either told it is “all in your head” or diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (which is a nicer way doctors say “either it's all in your head, or I can't fix what's wrong”).

The way a person's initial symptoms are approached for treatment has a huge impact on whether or not they will develop Fibromyalgia in the future. Fibromyalgia is a term used loosely; it only hurts the chances for effective treatment. For effective treatment of Fibromyalgia symptoms, the person must be treated as an individual, with unique symptoms...and thus a unique cause for them.

Consider the chart below. This chart represents three Fibromyalgia patients, and their symptoms:

On the surface, these three people appear to have different symptoms from one another, and they are seemingly all unrelated.

Although these people were all diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, they may all have different points of origin for their symptoms. These may include the metabolism and various components of the endocrine system, hormonal issues, digestive complications, diet, daily exposure to hidden toxins, and a host of other causes. The problem is, doctors are divided up into lots of different “departments”. In addition, they do not communicate with each other very well. The result is a list of conditions that all have the same cause or source, but no one to “connect the dots”.

There are 5 main considerations in preventing Fibromyalgia.

1- Choose a doctor who looks at you as a whole person. Example - If your complaint is joint pain, the whole body, not just the joints, should be considered for the cause.

2- Don't give up. Your symptoms are real from the first day you feel them. If someone does not believe you, find someone who does. If a treatment given does not seem to be effective, get a second opinion.

3- Eat right – Avoid anything man-made, anything with additives, preservatives, or artificial sweeteners or flavors. Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, and some meats (not lunch meats).

4- Exercise often – Daily is best. Walk every day. When you feel up to it, try a team sport.

5- Get good, (undisturbed) restful sleep. About eight hours per night is good. No distractions!

If you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, consider these treatments you can do at home for reducing pain while you are being treated:

Alpha Lipoic Acid – Neuropathy (nerve pain)

All B Vitamins – Pain reduction

Epsom Salts bath – Magnesium is natural pain relief

MSM lotion – Applied topically, reduces joint pain

Vitamin C – Important for immune system health; immune system regulates healing

Vitamin D3 – Assists in immune system health

Fish oil – Reduces nerve pain, lubricates all moving parts in body, helps memory “Fibro Fog”).

Snoozers – Natural sleep aide – insomnia

Adrenox – Adrenal support; helps with chronic fatigue

Thyrox – Supports thyroid health, Most Fibromyalgia patients have thyroid issues.

NOTE: Dr. Cassaro effectively treats Fibromyalgia. His patients benefit from whole-body consideration for the cause of symptoms. If you suffer from Fibromyalgia, you are encouraged to make an appointment with Dr. Cassaro.