Questions and Answers

Q1) What is Fibromyalgia?

A1) Lets break down the word it's a lot easier to understand.
Fibro - Fibrous tissue/ Connective tissue
My- Muscles
Algia - Pain
Pain of the fibrous / connective tissue of the muscles.

Q2) How do you get Fibromyalgia ?

A2) No one really knows how you get Fibormyalgia yet. There is a lot of reasearch going on as I
am typing this now. Hopefully there will be a definite answer soon.

Q3) Is there a cure?

A3) No. Unfortunately there is no cure. People who have Fibromyalgia need to learn how to
control the symptoms that they do have with medication and exercise if possible. This may
mean countless trips to the doctor's office. Control can be gained it is possible.

Q4) Will it ever go away?

A4) That is hard to say. People go into remissions similar to cancer or Multiple Sclerosis. With
proper medication, diet and exercise it is possible to gain remissions.

Q5) What can I do to help myself ease the pain?

A5) There are several things that you can do to help yourself. One of the best things to do
it to make a list of things that are calming to you. Such as having a cup of tea or a hot
bath or shower. Then place this list in an obvious place. Like on the back of the medicine
cabinet or on a kitchen cabinet. This way you have easy access to them when in a flare.
This will help you to minimize the pain and discomfort that you're having. On this list you
may want to remind yourself of what meds you can take and how often. This will help when
you're in a "Fibro fog".

Q6) Will I feel the pain constantly - forever without end?

A6) That is a hard question to answer. Fibromyalgia is a very individual dysorder. What is going on
with me may not be happening with someone else. Most people with Fibromyalgia say that with
proper medication and exercise you can control the pain. You may have days where the pain is
uncontrollable and you can't take any more. Then there will be days when you have little or no pain.
so the question will "I feel pain forever" is very hard to answer.

Q7) Is it contagious?

A7) There is no answer to this question. The researchers have not yet found out what causes
people to get Fibromyalgia. So to say yes or no would be misleading. It has to be transmitted
some way we just don't know how yet.

Q8) Is it fatal?

A8) No it is not fatal. That is the good news about Fibromyalgia. We know that no one has
ever died because of Fibromyalgia.

Q9) Who gets Fibromyalgia?

A9) Anyone can get Fibromyalgia. Although women between the ages of 20 and 50 are more
likely to get Fibromyalgia anyone can get it. There are children who have Fibromyalgia as well
as men. Some studies say that people who are type A personality are more likely to get it.
That would be the person who is the go-getter and the over achiever. Although there is no
rule to who gets Fibromyalgia.

Q10) What are the symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

A10) The symptoms of Fibromyalgia are as follows:
· Tender Points 18 total
· Flu Like symptoms
· Multiple Tender Points (not tender points)
· Characteristic Sleep Disruption and its resultant fatigue
· Pain
· Thermal regulatory problems. Low body temp or Fevers
· Tightness of the muscles
· Skin mottling
· Finger and toenail ridges. Fingernails may break off easily often in crescent shapes.
· Sensitivity amplification. This may mean that you are sensitive to smells,
light, sound, vibrations, and touch. Even noise made by fluorescent lights
can be bothersome.
· Inability to tolerate crowds or cities.
· Bruises that you can't explain.
· Anxiety
· Dizziness
· Illegible handwriting
· Clumsiness
· Weight gain or loss.
· Severe PMS
· Heart palpitations
· Cognitive function problems "fibro fog"
· Allergies
· Painful lymph nodes especially on the sides of the neck.
· Irritable bowels, diarrhea, nausea, or constipation.
· Sensitivity to medications.
· Night sweats
· Fevers or feeling hot often.
· Trouble swallowing
· Uncomfortable or recurrent urination
· Depressions usually second to the Fibromyalgia.
· Headaches
· Visual changes
· Difficulty speaking or moving the tongue.
· Ringing in the ears
· Spatial disorientation

Q11) I've heard of Fibrosis is that like Fibromyalgia ?

A11) That is an old name for Fibromyalgia. It has had many names over the years. Most
doctors now know it as Fibromyalgia though.

Q12) What are some other names of Fibromyalgia?

A12) Here are some of the other names:
· Myalgic encephalomelitis (M.E.)
· Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome
· Chronic Epstien Barr Virus Syndrome
· Chronic Mononucleosis
· Fiborsitis

Q13) My doctor says that all my tests are "normal". That there is nothing objective that says
I feel like I do. He thinks it's all psychological. Am I crazy or maybe I don't have Fibromyalgia?

A13) Just because your tests come back normal doesn't mean that you don't have Fibromyalgia.
You are not crazy. What you feel is real. No one can tell you that it's not. Maybe your
doctor doesn't know what Fibromyalgia really is. Psychological problemsare usually secondary
to Fibromyalgia. Ask your doctor why he feels that way. Maybe even get a second opinion.

Q14) My second cousin on my father's side has Fibromyalgia. But her symptoms
are different then mine. Who has Fibromyalgia?

A14) You both do. Fibromyalgia is a very individual syndrome. What happens with one
may or may not happen with another. Remember what you feel is real. You also need
to listen to your body it will tell you when something is wrong. Even if there is no other person
experiencing the same problems or symptoms as you are.

Q15) I have trouble sleeping. Is this a symptom of Fibromyalgia?

A15) Yes it most certainly is a symptom of Fibromyalgia. Most people with fibromyalgia
have some type of trouble sleeping. Weather it's too much sleep or too little sleep.

Q16) Who diagnosis Fibromyalgia? My general practice doctor doesn't know a
thing about Fibromyalgia.

A16) Any doctor can diagnosis Fibromyalgia. But there are some that are more aware
of its presence in the population. A Rhumotologist is a good place to start. A rhumotologist
is a doctor that specializes in arthritis specifically. Seeing as fibromyalgia is known as a type
of arthritis they tend to know more about the dysorder. The other good thing to do is to
interview a doctor and see what they know about the condition before you decide to make
them a part of your medical team.

Q17) Should I have a special diet?

A17) Check with your doctor on this one. Make sure that it's ok for you to be on a
"special" diet. Some people with Fibromyalgia use "The Zone" diet. It uses the ratio
of 30:40:30. 30% carbohydrate 40% Protein and 30 % Fat. This helps slow the absorption of
carbohydrates into the blood stream. When carbohydrates are absorbed too quickly
they cause a high in the blood sugar that is not used as well as it could. Causing a condition
known as Reactive Hypoglycemia. As said in the beginning talk with you doctor first
before starting any diet.

Q18) What can I do to convince my doctor and others that I am really sick?

A18) Well lets start with your doctor. Start a log of how you feel on a day to day basis. Write down everything in your day. What you eat, how much you slept, what exercise you did and the weather. This may help your doctor see that you're not making it up. You're not making it up either. Rate your pain scale from 1 to 10. Ten being the worst pain that you can have. Then when you have your next appointment bring the journal with you. Have the secretary make copies of the journal to be placed in your file. This will help you make your case. Also doctors sometimes need to have things in writing to see what is really wrong. As for your family and friends that is a little harder. Get some phamplets that explain what Fibromyalgia is and isn't. You can get some phamplets from the Arthritis Foundation as well as other organizations that deal with Fibromyalgia. Also give them ways to help you. If they know how to help they may feel more comfortable being around you. Let them know that you have good days as well as bad ones. Communicate with them as best as you can. Some times it takes time for family and friends to come around.

Q19) Sometimes I feel OK. Almost like I'm not sick at all. Is this a sign of a cure?

A19) Probably not. Fibromyalgia waxes (flares) and waynes (feeling almost normal).
It is like a roller coaster. The good times being the hills and the bad times being the valley
in between the hills. It may be days, weeks, and months or even years between the flares.
The best advice that has been given as of yet is enjoy the good days and be good to
yourself on the bad ones.

Q20) What good are support groups? Can they help me?

A20) Support groups are a good form of support for those experiencing a change in their life style. They can provide support to people whose family doesn't know how to support them. For what ever the reason. they can be a valuable source of information for the public, your doctor even you and your family. Support groups are also a good place to go to get help with finding the doctors that you need to go to. For lawyers and other professionals that can help you. The only way to know if a support group can help you is to go to one. To find one in your area call the local hospital. They would be able to tell you when and where they are held.