There are a variety of conditions that can lead to widespread pain and chronic fatigue; however, Fibromyalgia generally includes cognitive difficulties (foggy thought) and the grievance of fatigue that is debilitating, and unrelieved by rest. Now, it is possible to experience these same symptoms if a person is suffering from sleep apnea or other non FM related disorders. Don't self diagnose yourself here, people with FM may also suffer from sleep disordered breathing, so it is recommended you keep a sleep and sleepiness diary to present to your physician or specialist on your next visit.
SYMPTOMS:
Fibromyalgia usually includes a broad range of symptoms including some combination of the following:
- widespread pain
- sleep disturbances
- morning stiffness in the joints and muscles
- chronic daytime fatigue
- migraine headaches
- painful menstrual periods
- irritable bowl syndrome
- restless legs syndrome
- numbness or tingling of the extremities
- temperature sensitivity
- cognitive and memory problems
- mood disturbance such as depression and anxiety
TREATMENT:
As of yet there are no FDA-approved drugs specifically developed for fibromyalgia but there are medications commonly used for other conditions that are effective treatments(ie.Lyrica) So for now most physicians focus on the treatment of behavioral methods such as exercise and massage which have shown to help patients improve their sleep and in return reducing the amount of pain and daytime fatigue.
COPING:
Fibromyalgia is a very real and persistent condition for which there is no cure. There may be times of the day, month or year that symptoms become more severe and they have also been known to remit for an extended period of time only to reappear later for no apparent reason or following a traumatic stressful event either physically or emotionally. But, there are ways of helping you cope with the symptoms of FM/CFS and aiding in the prevention of exacerbated pain. Here are some tips:
- Prioritize sleep - it is important for people with fibromyalgia to maintain a regular sleep schedule and to get treatment for sleep disorders if necessary.
- Create a quiet environment - chronic pain has been known to intensify in the presence of sound stress.
- Exercise - regular exercise is known to improve symptoms in some patients. For people with fibromyalgia, low-impact activities such as walking, yoga or swimming are the best choice.
- Medication - work with your physician to develop an effective medication regime.
- Massage - gentle message, deep breathing and relaxation techniques are all generally considered beneficial with respect to chronic pain/fatigue management.
I know for some of you seasoned sufferers this is all old hat information but if you are not implementing any of these treatments or coping strategies into your daily routine you are doing yourself a great disservice. I know there is nothing harder than waking up in the morning, barely making it out of bed only to put one more fight in your schedule such as diet and exercise. I am the last person to preach about exercise, I hate it even on a good day but I do know that when I do force myself past the pain, even to just walk around the block I have made a difference in my recovery and not just become a victim of it. I also know it helps if you have motivators, so find a walking group or a FM/CFS support group and suggest a group walk activity. (this is one of those good peer pressure times) What do you have to lose? Besides, if you can find a way to motivate yourself into healthy exercise and sleep habits you just might be able to have your cake and eat it too!
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