fibromyalgia/myalgia

What is fibromyalgia? � Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes people to feel pain in the muscles all over their body. People with fibromyalgia also have �tender points,� places on their body that hurt when they are touched. No one knows what causes fibromyalgia.

Can fibromyalgia be cured? � Some people seem to get over fibromyalgia. But in most people it cannot be cured. Even so, people can learn to deal with the condition and to lead fairly normal lives. Fibromyalgia does not get worse over time, and it is not life-threatening.

Does fibromyalgia cause symptoms besides muscle pain? � Yes. People with fibromyalgia often say they feel tired all the time and that sleep does not help them feel rested. They may also have:

Flu-like symptoms
Headaches
Depression and anxiety
Stomach pain
Too many or too few bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation)
Pain in the bladder or the need to urinate in a hurry or often
Problems with the jaw
Is there a test for fibromyalgia? � No, there is no test. To diagnose it, doctors and nurses have to go by symptoms. First they look for other causes of the symptoms, such as arthritis or a hormone problem. They diagnose the condition if they can find no other cause, and if a person has:

Muscle pain all over their body
Severe tenderness in at least 11 of the 18 known �tender points� of fibromyalgia (figure 1)
Sometimes doctors diagnose fibromyalgia without checking for the number of tender points a person has. This might happen if the person has many areas that feel painful, and is bothered a lot by symptoms that are often caused by fibromyalgia. Some of these symptoms include feeling tired when getting up in the morning and during the day, and having trouble thinking clearly.

How is fibromyalgia treated? � There are medicines and strategies to help with the symptoms of fibromyalgia. But there is no one treatment that works for everyone. You and your healthcare team will need to work together to find the right mix of treatments for you. In general, treatment can include:

Medicines to relieve pain, improve sleep, or improve mood
Physical therapy to learn exercises and stretches
Relaxation therapy
Working with a counselor
To get the best treatment, many people need a team that includes:

A doctor
A physical therapist
Someone trained in mental health (such as a social worker or counselor)
Be open to medicines � Your doctor or nurse may suggest that you take a medicine normally used to treat depression or seizures. If so, be open to trying it. Even if you are not depressed and do not have seizures, these medicines may help. That is because they work on the brain areas that deal with pain.

What can I do on my own? � It is really important that you stay active. Walking, swimming, or biking can all help ease muscle pain. If you have not been active, it might hurt a little more when you start. But being active can help improve your symptoms.

It is also really important that you try not to be too negative about your life. Your outlook has a big effect on how you feel pain. Do your best to be positive.
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fibromyalgia/myalgia

Contact:

Rosewood Healthcare & Medical Spa

A Promise for Exceptional Care

Please look us up on the web at www.rosewoodhc.com

fibromyalgia/myalgia

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