Fibromyalgia: The Whole Story

Fibromyalgia: The Whole Story

 "It's all in your head" or "just learn to live with it" are the two most commonly heard phrases from doctors who suffer from fibromyalgia syndrome or FMS [Rona; Casura; No, p. 7]. Most of us understand, especially these days, that research in the medical field is happening and producing results at a fast and furious pace. Most people also understand that not every doctor can, or even should, be responsible for keeping up with every discovery. Without a specific need or interest in the field, much of what is learned will never reach the desk of most physicians. So this is one explanation for why so many doctors are still ignorant, misinformed, or completely in denial about the existence of such a common disorder as fibromyalgia [Smith; IN; NBC. It took more than 100 years, in the late 1980s, for the official name Fibromyalgia Syndrome to be given by the Arthritis Foundation of America and the National Center for Disease Control (or CDC) [Rona]. Until then, FMS was known by at least 100 different names including fibromyositis, fibrositis, and the old familiar rheumatism [Kaplan]. Despite their apparent knowledge of the disorder, many doctors are reluctant to diagnose FMS. Maria Shriver announced the statement of Dr. Thomas Bohr on NBC's Dateline broadcast on January 4, 2000. Dr. Bohr stated, “… there is a segment of the medical establishment that claims that fibromyalgia is not only overdiagnosed but outright non-existent [NBC]. " Most doctors do not seem to agree with his opinion. Still, there are enough of them like him, so sometimes it is difficult to find a diagnosis and treatment. Even for doctors who are familiar with FMS, the diagnostic process often exceeds five years [Rona; Casura; V]. DescriptionLiterally defined, the term fibro refers to fibrous or connective tissue. Myalgia means pain in one or more muscles [Webster]. Therefore, fibromyalgia means pain in the connective tissues and muscles. It is often referred to as a musculoskeletal soft tissue condition [Sahley, et al, pg. 7]. While it may be literal, it is hardly fully descriptive. It is often described as feeling like one has the flu forever [Starlanyl]. Even that is not enough. Today it is the second most common rheumatic disease [Goldenburg; Sahley et al ., p. 5] and ten million people in the US alone [Casura] share the plight of this intensely painful disorder. Between 1.5-6% [Murray, 1998, p. 459; Roderick; Sahley et al., p. 7; Kaiser] world population with a positive diagnosis of fibromyalgia, e there is a wide range of descriptions. This also applies to FMS symptoms. They are as different and individual as people. More common symptoms are insomnia, extreme exhaustion and/or fatigue, hormonal dysfunction, irritable bowel and bladder, blurred vision, thermal regulation dysfunction, dysmenorrhea, TMJ, food and environmental allergies, unrefreshing sleep, mitral valve prolapse, muscle pain, and cramps. , (apparent) joint pain, myofascial pain, depression, anxiety, sugar cravings, excessive thirst, confusion, memory loss, chest pain, irritability, acne, diarrhea, gum disease, mouth inflammation, and headaches [Starlanyl; Casura; Yue; Roderick]. The list goes on and on, yet comparing one patient to another produces two completely different sets of symptoms [Yue]. This alone can hinder the diagnostic process, as numerous diseases and disorders share these symptoms. Diagnosis In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology established diagnostic criteria [S of W] to help distinguish FMS from other disorders.