September 03, 2010
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Fibromyalgia: Real or Imaginary?Dr. Alnigenis is a Visiting Fellow in the Division of Rheumatology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), is an illness that causes pain, stiffness and tenderness throughout the body. Sufferers complain they have trouble sleeping and tire easily. 80%-90% of FMS victims are women and most are between 30 and 60 years old. Though FMS may not be well understood, it is far from uncommon. A recent study found that 2% of all North Americans suffer from FMS, 3.4% of women and 0.5% of men.(1)(2)(3)(4)(5) It is the second most common problem seen by rheumatologists in North America.(6)(7)(8) Some doctors believe that FMS is not a real condition, but, instead, is psychological. What do we actually know about FMS? How FMS Starts
A possible clue to the origins of FMS is the fact that sufferers often report that their symptoms began after they came down with another illness or went through some other kind of health problem or personal crisis. The most common of these events are listed in Table 1.
Table 1.
Events Linked to the Onset of FMS9
(6) Comments have been made Snowy
I have Fibromyalgia and have had it for 18 yrs. What gives your doctor the right to dismiss your illness as just back pain when you have been diagnosed by a specialist? My doctor is rude and dismissive, and it is obvious that he wants me out of his surgery as quick as possible.
I have trouble placing on foot in front of the other most days but my doctor just smirks and says "Try being a man and rise above it."
He is full of his own self-esteem and does not like his patients trying find out more information on their illness themselves. I found this out when I handed over new info to him which I thought would be useful- what did he do? Just threw it onto his desk in disgust.
WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH OUR ILLNESS THE BEST WE CAN - we don't want a doctor looking down on us as though we are something that he as got stuck to he shoes.Posted Sat, Aug. 21, 2010 at 2:53 am EDT
Sharon
When I was in a car wreck and suffered severe whiplash. After 4 mo. of physical therapy I was told and remaining pain from the accident is Fibromyalgia. A lot of research later I found out that 80% of whiplash sufferers did later receive a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. Does it still hurt everywhere everyday? Sure! But I still have to say, every day is a good day, some days are just better than others!Posted Tue, Apr. 6, 2010 at 4:36 pm EDT
kate woodcock
i have fms im told its real im on medication that give me a weight problem , and just about to loose my job thou takin to much time off ,, still cant get my head around it and i belive ive brought it on my self i was diagnossed last feb and im prayein that ill soon be better !!Posted Mon, Feb. 8, 2010 at 5:55 am EST
celestina casey
I have fiber s. but my one son does not belevie there is no such thing he read doctor reports that its all in ones head. It is not in my head
and I really dislike the meds I feel bad on them and have gained a lot of wt.Posted Thu, Jan. 28, 2010 at 9:36 pm EST
kristina
looks like i have fibro for 100%!:(Posted Sat, Jan. 9, 2010 at 1:47 am EST
Bill Cohen
For more up-to-date references, an excellent source is the May 2009 isssue of "Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America" (Vol 35, #2) devoted to "Fibromyalgia," guest edited by Philip J. Mease, MD. The papers present a contemporary multidisciplinary synthesis and future implications of both basic and clinical research.Posted Tue, Jan. 5, 2010 at 11:42 am EST
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