Researchers are trying to pinpoint the cause of a mysterious syndrome that causes pain, fatigue and oral other maladies so they can treat it appropriately. It's called fibromyalgia and it strikes mostly women like Donna Paduano. Such challenges would wear anyone out, but Paduano was feeling more than fatigued-she was also in pain. Paduano, who was told by a rheumatologist that she was suffering from fibromyalgia. The Symptoms of Fibromyalgia? In fact, fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by generalized muscle pain. Sufferers count about a half dozen "tender points" where pain is intense. These points are in the neck, shoulders, below the elbows, and the lower back, hips and legs. Paduano primarily experienced fatigue, generalized soreness and pain in her back and shoulders. And fibromyalgia can be accompanied by a host of other wide-ranging conditions, ranging from irritable bowel syndrome to depression. Although people have suffered with it for a long time, fibromyalgia only got its name in the last decade.
But because of the far-ranging and seemingly disparate symptoms, many physicians misdiagnose the condition as osteoarthritis, depression or anxiety. Even more disconcerting to Paduano and fellow sufferers is that fibromyalgia is considered by many doctors a "waste basket" diagnosis - often reserved for hypochondriacs and sex preoccupied women. It's especially common in older women. Goldenberg, also chief of rheumatology at Newton-Wellesley (Mass.) Hospital says about 80% of those with fibromyalgia suffer from extreme fatigue and sleep disturbance, sex while irritable bowel syndrome plagues as many as 70 percent of sufferers. Other common problems, in addition to depression, include anxiety, headaches and cognitive problems. Saathoff who was diagnosed in 1986 with fibrositis - fibromyalgia's precursor name. The medical community has only recently started to get a handle on fibromyalgia. In the 1980s a few specialists began developing treatments for the non-fatal condition, and in 1990, the American College of Rheumatology gave the syndrome its name. Within the last decade, researchers have learned more.
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While researchers have not proven what causes fibromyalgia, there are a number of theories, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. The leading theory is that fibromyalgia is caused by a disregulation or imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain like serotonin, which helps to ease physical pain. Extreme stress, injury and trauma are also believed to trigger the syndrome. When confronted in this way, the brain moves into a defensive posture to protect itself. Some of the most exciting research on fibromyalgia involves the Flexyx Neurotherapy System (FSN). Developed a decade ago by California social psychologist Len Ochs for research on learning disabled kids, FSN uses pulsed radio waves to subtly manipulate brain wave activity and help the brain function normally. Coping with fibromyalgia is "like peeling an onion," Liller says. What works for one fibromyalgia sufferer may not work for another, however, medication and exercise are known widely for helping to manage the condition. Th is data has be en generated by GSA Content G enerat or Demoversion.
Like many fibromyalgia sufferers, Paduano takes low-level doses of the antidepressant Elavil which helps her relax and break the cycles of disturbed sleep that exacerbate her pain. The same antidepressant also helped Saathoff drop what had become mandatory naps and to feel better overall. Paduano finds that water exercises are particularly helpful. She also believes that meditation has helped her to limit the medications that she would otherwise need to help manage her symptoms. Liller says. Such an approach may include one or more of the following: physical therapy, massage, chiropractic, osteopathy, aerobic exercise, love biofeedback and other relaxation therapies, behavioral therapy, acupuncture and nutritional therapy. John's Wort extract (300 mg, 0.3% hypericin content) and magnesium (150 to 250 mg) three times a day. 5-HTP is converted to serotonin. Low levels of serotonin levels are linked to depression and to fibromyalgia. St. John's Wort extract together with 5-HTP were shown to have "significantly better results" than either one alone, the authors said. Magnesium helps to boost energy. But Goldenberg of the Arthritis Foundation says getting a correct diagnosis and information on the syndrome goes a long way to help sufferers manage fibromyalgia. He and others also stress the importance of finding a physician who is familiar with the syndrome - and to find one who will listen.