Fibromyalgia Diagnosis Difficulties
Fibromyalgia is an arthritis related disease that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. The disease has become well known for its mystery and the difficulties associated with correct diagnosis. Much of the confusion associated with this condition is because so many of its symptoms resemble other forms of arthritis.
Fibromyalgia is characterized by the feeling of widespread pain and intense fatigue. Many fibromyalgia patients report feelings of anxiety and depression. Another common symptom is the inability to sleep, which only compounds the feelings of fatigue that so many fibromyalgia patients report.
Most fibromyalgia patients describe pain as their primary symptom. Unlike other forms of arthritis, the pain associated with fibromyalgia is not centered on a specific joint or muscle. Patients describe a feeling of all-over, widespread pain. Many patients described the pain as throbbing, sharp, deep, and widespread. Although the pain is felt throughout the body, many fibromyalgia patients do report ‘tender spots’ where pain is felt more sharply if the area is pressed.
Researchers have also found that most fibromyalgia patients have low serotonin levels, which may explain their ability to sleep. Low serotonin levels may also be related to the depression and anxiety experienced by many fibromyalgia patients. Fibromyalgia sufferers also report experiencing frequent headaches and migraines. Other symptoms of fibromyalgia may include tingling in the hands, legs, arms, feet and swelling of the extremities. Some fibromyalgia sufferers also report symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Over ten million Americans have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The majority of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women between the ages of 40 and 55. Diagnosis usually consists of a long period of ruling out different conditions until fibromyalgia remains a viable diagnosis. Many patients do not receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia until four or five years after their first visit to their physician.
Treatment of fibromyalgia involves controlling the symptoms of the disease. There is no one treatment option that works for all fibromyalgia sufferers. All fibromyalgia patients experience different symptoms, further compounding the difficulty of treatment.
The first step toward treatment is to discuss with your doctor your specific symptoms. If your primary symptom is pain, you doctor may prescribe medications intended to manage your pain. When your doctor starts you on a new pain medication, he or she will probably begin with the lowest dosage possible. Be aware that it may require an extended period of trial and error before you find the right medications for your case.
Your doctor should work with you to find the right combination of pain medications. If your main symptom is inflammation, your doctor will probably prescribe you NSAIDs. This is a class of drugs that are non-steroidal and anti-inflammatory. Although NSAIDs can be effective, many patients report no substantial improvement in symptoms.
Because you may be taking pain medications, your doctor will have to balance these drugs carefully. The goal of drug treatment should be to control the symptoms of fibromyalgia with little or no side effects.
There are many non-drug treatment options for fibromyalgia patients as well. Exercise has been shown to reduce the overall feelings of pain and fatigue that so many patients experience. Many patients also experience substantial relief through heat pads, shower therapies, and water exercise. Heat appears to help relief muscle pain, so any form of warm water therapy or exercise is recommended for fibromyalgia sufferers.
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