Brain imaging and studies have shown that fibromyalgia is a disorder of the central nervous system. "It's a neurological disease driven by the central nervous system," says Clauw.
Fibromyalgia is often diagnosed and managed by a rheumatologist, which is an internal medicine doctor who has specialized training in joint and musculoskeletal diseases. Multiple sclerosis is diagnosed and managed by a neurologist, which is a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the brain and nervous system.
But research has since shown that there are no abnormalities in the musculoskeletal system in people with fibromyalgia. Instead, the problem appears to lie in the pain processing pathways of our central nervous system—the bailiwick of neurologists. Today, both rheumatologists and neurologists treat fibromyalgia.
Many neurologists have an understanding of fibromyalgia, but like rheumatologists, they're not all familiar with it. The pain from fibromyalgia is what typically prompts people to visit a neurologist, and this specialist may prescribe medications to control your pain.
Unfortunately, fibromyalgia is still a somewhat controversial diagnosis, because it is not yet fully understood and its symptoms can overlap with many other conditions. Some people even say that it's a “garbage can” diagnosis that's only given when no other one can be made.
Yes! The muscle pain, fatigue, inability to sleep and other symptoms can make it impossible to work in the job you are qualified for. That's the standard that must be proved to win an insurance claim. Successful TPD claims have been won for fibromyalgia against many different super policies.
Patients with fibromyalgia have often felt their doctors didn't consider their condition "very legitimate." It is considered to be one of many invisible illnesses, which are conditions where the symptoms aren't always visible to others.
In people with fibromyalgia blood tests fail to show any serious abnormalities. CT and MRI scans looking for abnormalities affecting the brain, spinal cord or nerves are normal or inconsistent with the persons symptoms.
“Doctors don't tell you how hard it will be to do everyday tasks.” 13. “They don't tell you how likely you are to have other problems because you have fibromyalgia, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), restless legs syndrome (RLS) or anxiety. They don't realize how hard it is to have this illness.”
Researchers found that fibromyalgia, a condition involving widespread musculoskeletal pain, was more than three times as common in people who were later diagnosed with MS.
Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers include: a serious injury, such as after a car accident. an infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus or Lyme disease.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella) may help ease the pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. Your doctor may prescribe amitriptyline or the muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine to help promote sleep. Anti-seizure drugs.
Several rheumatic diseases can mimic fibromyalgia. These include sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Lyme disease, polymyalgia rheumatica and lupus.
Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) are common, long-term medical conditions. Both are now widely recognized as real illnesses, not psychological problems.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta), milnacipran (Savella) and pregabalin (Lyrica) are FDA-approved to specifically treat fibromyalgia.
The FDA approved a laser therapy device called FibroLux to treat fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is characterized by joint and muscle pain. FibroLux can reduce pain by delivering light to cells, increasing energy production, and healing cells.
Fibromyalgia is considered a disability by the SSA and it could qualify you for Social Security disability if it's preventing you from working. However, not all forms of fibromyalgia qualify for benefits, so it's important to understand the SSA requirements for eligibility.
Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed based primarily on having pain all over the body, along with other symptoms. Currently, there are no specific laboratory or imaging tests for fibromyalgia.
Key Differences Between MS and Fibromyalgia
MS is an autoimmune disease caused by a problem within the immune system that causes damage to the layer covering the nerves. Fibromyalgia is thought to be caused by abnormal levels of chemicals in the brain.
These cognitive difficulties — called fibro fog — are common: Research suggests more than half of people with fibromyalgia show a decline in memory and clear thinking. When you have fibro fog, it can cause you to be in a state of confusion that you don't even know you're in, CreakyJoints member Joan W.
The FM/a ® Test analyzes your immune system's white blood cells for their chemokine and cytokine protein patterns. Those who suffer from fibromyalgia will show an abnormal pattern of these protective proteins. The degree of abnormality is scored from 1 to 100.
Fibromyalgia can affect people of all ages, including children. However, most people are diagnosed during middle age and you are more likely to have fibromyalgia as you get older. Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
A major risk of leaving fibromyalgia untreated is that symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, headaches, and depression can become excruciatingly worse over time. Fibromyalgia also has a huge impact on mental health and anxiety and mood disorders can also worsen if you don't treat fibromyalgia.