The Misunderstood Syndrome

Your muscles feel like they are pulled and overworked. You are frequently exhausted and ache all over. Even after numerous and varied tests your doctor can’t find anything in particular wrong with you. Does this sound familiar? If it does you probably have fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in the fibrous tissues of the body (muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons,) fatigue and multiple tender points; places on the body where even a gentle touch causes pain. Tender points occur in precise, localized areas, particularly around the neck, spine, shoulders, front of the knees, elbows and hip joints. People with this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety as well as a wide range of other symptoms. As well, fibromyalgia sufferers find that others do not understand the magnitude of their physical symptoms.

Fibromyalgia affects up to 5% of the population, with women much more likely to develop the disorder than men. It also affects children. The risk of fibromyalgia increases with age and may be hereditary, so if a family member suffers from this syndrome you may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia as well. There is debate as to whether fibromyalgia is a syndrome or a disorder. A syndrome has many different signs and symptoms whereas a disorder causes disruption of normal physical functions. Either way, fibromyalgia has the potential to be incapacitating so we won’t argue about a name and concentrate on educating people about the condition and what can be done to help.

Signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia will vary, depending on the weather, stress levels, physical activity and sometimes, even the time of day. As well, dissimilar symptoms occur in people with this disorder. In other words, different people experience and exhibit different signs and symptoms and those symptoms may, in the same person, seem to vary or come and go over time. Nevertheless, some common signs and symptoms do exist. Symptoms, in addition to tender points, commonly associated with the disease of fibromyalgia include:

Chronic Muscle and Joint Aches and Pains:
Chronic pain and increased sensitivity to pain are the main symptoms of those who suffer from fibromyalgia. As stated above there are usually tender areas when gentle pressure is applied. These areas include the back of the head, upper back, neck, upper chest, elbows, spine, shoulders, front of the knees, elbows and hip joints. The discomfort is constant and may be a deep ache or a burning pain and generally persists for months at a time. This pain is often accompanied by stiffness, muscle tightening or spasms and may get better or worse in response to factors such as activity, stress or weather. Many people also suffer migratory pain (pain that moves around the body.)

Fatigue and sleep disorders:
90% of people with fibromyalgia feel tired or fatigued (the feeling of lacking energy). The extent of this fatigue is quite variable; in some it may be relatively mild while others may feel so drained that they cannot perform even the simplest daily chores. They may also have trouble falling asleep or remaining asleep, which compounds the fatigue. People with fibromyalgia often wake up tired and un-refreshed even though they apparently get plenty of sleep. The four classic signs of fatigue include:

• Lack of attention
• Memory loss
• Frustration at co-workers, friends or family
• Lack of concentration

Some studies suggest that this problem is the result of a sleep disorder called alpha wave interrupted sleep pattern, a condition in which deep sleep is frequently interrupted by bursts of brain activity similar to wakefulness. So people with fibromyalgia apparently lack the deep restorative phase of stage 4 sleep. Nighttime muscle spasms in the legs, periodic limb movement disorder (nocturnal myoclonus), and restless legs syndrome, are also symptoms of fibromyalgia and may contribute to a restless night’s sleep. People with obstructed sleep apnea (OSA) literally stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, often for a minute or longer and as many as hundreds of times during a single night. This is caused by the obstruction of the airway, leading to asphyxia and fragmented sleep. Associated with OSA are loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, depression, headaches, memory loss and cognitive impairment. Individuals with fibromyalgia may also find that they grind their teeth at night.

Numbness:
Fibromyalgia sufferers may have feelings of numbness or undergo tingling sensations in the hands and feet or experience a cold and achy feeling that indicates poor blood flow in some areas. They might also suffer from swollen hands and feet or just fell as if they have swollen hands and feet.

Increased sensitivity:
Approximately half of the patients suffering from fibromyalgia have some sort of increased sensitivity to stimuli. This could include increased sensitivity to sound, bright lights, odors, certain types of medications and to various foods. They may also have symptoms like itching, rash, nasal congestion or runny nose, all of which mimic allergies that would not normally bother most people.

Chronic headaches:
Recurrent migraine or tension-type headaches are seen in about half of those with fibromyalgia and can make living unbearable. These recurrent tension-type headaches are usually associated with tenderness in the muscles of the neck and shoulders. The type of headache is often variable, and may change depending on body position or muscular activity. It may at times be so severe that the patient cannot function normally or even think clearly.

Facial pain:
Facial pain, as well, is common, and as many as one-third of fibromyalgia patients experience jaw pain. This syndrome targets the muscles and ligaments surrounding the jaw and can cause tremendous facial and head pain. Studies have shown that most fibromyalgia patients have jaw and facial tenderness.

Dry eyes, skin and mouth:
Patients afflicted with fibromyalgia may suffer from dry eyes or have difficulty focusing on nearby objects.

Dizziness, stiffness:
Since fibromyalgia affects the tracking muscles of the eyes, sufferers may experience blurred vision, dizziness and nausea whenever they are visually tracking anything, as while driving a car, reading or watching a ballgame. In addition, tender points in the head or neck may cause dizziness or loss of equilibrium. Research conducted at John Hopkins Medical Center also suggests that some fibromyalgia patients may have hypotension, which causes a drop in blood pressure and heart rate when they stand up, resulting in light-headedness, nausea and difficulty in thinking. When people with fibromyalgia are immobile for an extended period of time, such as when sleeping, sitting or traveling, their muscles get rigid and painful. fibromyalgia sufferers also report stiffness in connection with changes in relative humidity. This can be quite severe and is in part related to neurotransmitter levels. Also, since neurotransmitters affect every part of the body, muscle symptoms can show up anywhere in the body. Some people experience chest pain, a rapid or irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath after prolonged periods of immobility.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS):
Approximately half of patients with fibromyalgia experience some sort of bowel irritation. Symptoms of alternating constipation and diarrhea, cramping abdominal pain and bloating are commonly associated with IBS. Other digestive symptoms that are also common in fibromyalgia victims include distension with an altered bowel habit, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, nausea and gas. Typically, abdominal discomfort is improved by bowel evacuation.

Irritable bladder:
Some people have urinary complaints including the need for frequent urination, a strong perpetual urge to urinate and pain in the bladder area.

Painful Menstrual Periods:
Many women suffering from fibromyalgia complain of painful periods, including menstrual cramps, headaches, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation and abdominal pain. This may be coupled with nausea, vomiting and increased stool frequency. The pain is generally low and crampy, recurring waves that probably correlate with uterine contractions. It comes to peak intensity within a few hours and dissipates within 1-2 days. It generally occurs over the midline, and is relieved by the onset of good menstrual flow.

Depression and anxiety:
As many as one-third of fibromyalgia sufferers also put up with depression. Depression or anxiety appears be due to the constant ongoing pain and fatigue or may be due to simple frustration with this perpetual condition. It is also possible that the same chemical imbalances in the brain that are the result of this disease also cause the depression and anxiety. Patients may feel frustrated with themselves or with the many physicians to whom they have presented over the course of their illness in a futile attempt to get a definite clinical diagnosis or a proper treatment. Since all laboratory tests come back with normal findings, physicians may tell the patient that there is nothing to account for any illness or that “it is all in your head”; however, they know that something is definitely wrong.

Difficulty in concentration and confusion:
There is a loss of or malfunctioning of short-term memory caused by a lack of proper sleep and other factors such as chronic pain and fatigue. People with this syndrome may experience feeling spacey, disoriented and confused. It is as if they are in a fog. They often report memory lapses such as problems remembering simple nouns or people’s names and may feel overwhelmed when called upon to perform more than one task at a time. They may forget what they were saying in mid-sentence or get up to walk to another room and forget why they wanted to go there. Patients may also experience something called dissociation. Dissociation is a problem with short-term memory that leads to a failure to integrate experiences that normally would go together. At one extreme are the mild dissociative experiences common to most people (such as daydreaming or highway hypnosis); at the other extreme is severe, chronic dissociation which may result in serious impairment or a complete inability to function. In between, there is a wide range of experiences. Levels of dissociation can fluctuate throughout the day with increases seen at times of stress. At its most severe intensity this can leave the individual unable to remember what was said, done or planned.

Cold and flu symptoms:
Fibromyalgia sufferers often experience chronic runny nose, a congested head and a throat-clearing cough. While this may indicate the presence of allergies in some, in most it does not. When allergies are not present this is referred to as “non-allergic rhinitis.” In some fibromyalgia victims, the reason for these symptoms involves tight muscles pressing on fluid passages and causing a backup in the sinuses. In other victims, these symptoms may be due to an increased sensitivity to environmental agents such as perfumes, tobacco, foods etc.

Chest problems:
Individuals with fibromyalgia who sit at a desk or have to stand for long periods of time, often complain of problems or pain in their upper chest area. The pain is associated with difficulty in breathing. It is vitally important that when experiencing any type of chest pain, to immediately consult a physician so that he/she can correctly diagnose the nature of the pain.

Skin complaints:
Fibromyalgia patients will sometimes develop itchy, dry or blotchy skin. They may also experience a sensation of swelling in their fingers or toes and find that a ring they have always worn no longer fits. Any types of joint swelling should be brought to the attention of a professional.

Many of the above mentioned symptoms of fibromyalgia may mimic other diseases; some of which are more serious than others. The difficulty with diagnosing fibromyalgia lies in that laboratory testing appears normal in most cases. These diseases include: hypothyroidism (low thyroid production), polymalgia rheumatica, peripheral neuropathies, lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is important to see a health care practitioner when experiencing widespread, long-lasting, pain accompanied by fatigue, in order to make sure that the real problem is not one of these more serious conditions.

• Hormonal imbalance.
• Anemia.
• Infection.
• Muscle disease.
• Bone disease.
• Nerve disease.
• Joint disease.
• Cancer.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Hypothyroidism, this condition can ape many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
• Polymyalgia rheumatica.

The major risk factors for acquiring fibromyalgia:

• Gender: Fibromyalgia occurs between 70% and 90% more often in women than in men. The exact reason for this remains unknown.
• Age: Fibromyalgia is most commonly seen in the women of childbearing age. Thus, it normally develops between the ages of 20 and 45; however it is known to occur in children as well.
• Sleep abnormalities: It is not known whether disturbed sleep patterns predispose one to developing fibromyalgia, or if they are just one of the many symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Either way, sleep problems and fibromyalgia are closely related and if you have one, you are more likely to have the other.
• Family History: You are more likely to have fibromyalgia if someone in your family (such as your mother) has been previously diagnosed with the condition.
• Although fibromyalgia is much more prevalent among women (roughly three times more women than men get it) it does also affect men. A recent study has indicated that the symptoms experienced by men who suffer from fibromyalgia may be more severe than those suffered by women. The study also reported that men may have to put up with a greater amount of physical dysfunction and a lower quality of life.

Other facts:

• Fibromyalgia is an immune system disorder.
• Fibromyalgia is related to a possible hypothyroid condition.
• Fibromyalgia is often connected to leaky gut syndrome.
• Fibromyalgia patients may have damaged and inadequate levels of mitochondria, resulting in low energy, pain and fatigue.
• Fibromyalgia responds well to correct diet, supplementation and detoxification.

SELF-CARE
Self-care is a critical component in the management of fibromyalgia. Self-care includes taking these important steps:

Reduce stress:
Plan your days. Set aside time for the important thing. Set aside time to do the things you really do not want to do but need to do nevertheless. Reduce stress and overexertion by developing a timetable to avoid unproductive periods and to limit periods when too many things are happening at once. Allow time each day for relaxation. Learn how to say no without guilt. Utilize stress reduction techniques, such as deep-breathing exercises or meditation. Having said all this, do not change your routine totally; people who quit working or cease all activity entirely tend to do worse than those who remain active.

Get enough sleep:
Because fatigue is one of the primary effects that people with fibromyalgia suffer, getting enough quality sleep is essential. In addition to planning for sufficient sleep time, and faithfully following good healthy sleep habits, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time each day and by eliminating or minimizing daytime naps.

Take time to exercise regularly:
At first, exercise may appear to increase pain, but if done regularly it will soon improve and relieve symptoms. Appropriate exercises include walking, swimming, biking and water aerobics. A physical therapist can help develop a personalized home exercise programs. A doctor may recommend 20 to 30 minutes of exercise at least four or more times a week. Bending and stretching, maintaining good posture and relaxation exercises also are helpful.

Keep pace:
Keep activity on an even keel. Doing too much on good days, ensures more bad days ahead.

Look after associated conditions:

• Irritable bowel syndrome. The abdominal pain, distension, constipation and diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome can be quite distressing. However, proper Diet and Cleansing do hold an answer to chronic bowel disorders.
• Irritable bladder syndrome. Those that suffer with pain in the pubic area and an increased frequency and urgency to void the bladder, or feel pain when urinating can benefit from proper Diet and Cleansing and taking measures to combat Intestinal Toxemia.
• Cold Intolerance is very common in fibromyalgia sufferers; up to one-third of all patients experience this. This involves having constantly cold and aching extremities and experiencing rapid discoloration of the hands and feet upon exposure to cold. Treatment for this condition involves: Keeping warm! This includes dressing warmer in cool weather and turning up the thermostat in your home. Aerobic exercise has been shown to improve cold tolerance by improving circulation.
• Dizziness is a common complaint in fibromyalgia sufferers. If other more serious causes (such as cranial nerve problems, demyelization disorders, inner ear problems, drug side effects and cancer) are ruled out by a doctor, dizziness may be due to muscular de-conditioning or trigger points. Exercising, strengthening, stretching and massaging these muscles should all help restore balance.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and try to eat a balanced diet, work on quitting smoking, get plenty of rest, get adequate exercise, and do things that you like doing, things that you find enjoyable, rewarding and fulfilling. Clearly, if diet is not sufficient to maintain health, then the body cannot remain in optimal condition and will probably become ill. Some patients have reported that certain foods, such as fatty, fried or sugary types, seem to worsen existing fibromyalgia symptoms or invite new ones. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol and sugar, will help to improve sleep and lessen the severity of some symptoms. Eat a balanced diet and discuss the possibility of taking vitamins with a health care provider. Smoking also amplifies the symptoms of fibromyalgia patients; quitting is the first step toward living a pain free life. It is also very important to drink plenty of healthy water to help flush out the toxins from your body.
• Some of the more important things to limit or to wholly eliminate from the diet are: Refined sugars, alcohol, foods high in saturated fats, high-calorie, high-fat, junk food, monosodium glutamate (msg) and aspartame. Both glutamate, found in msg, and aspartic acid, found in aspartame, stimulate pain augmenting receptors within the spinal cord. Some Fibromyalgia sufferers reported a marked improvement in symptoms once these items were eliminated from their diet.
• Establishing proper pH in the body ensures that vulnerability to pathogens is not even a possibility. Viruses, funguses and bacteria cannot exist in an internal environment where the pH is balanced.
• Far-Infrared heat helps to relieve stress and many of the symptoms.

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are closely related and are often confused, but what they bare in common is the stress that these conditions put on the immune system. Chronic pain takes a tremendous amount of energy from the reserves. This drain of energy makes the FM sufferer more susceptible to common flu and viruses. On occasion, a low grade fever can accompany these symptoms making the discomfort even more intense.

While fibromyalgia continues to be misunderstood, it is real and those who suffer from it can lead productive, quality lives. A desire to be well is where all change comes from. Once again, a fit body and sound mind are your most important assets and a healthy lifestyle is the only way to attain and sustain that goal. You have to make the changes necessary to live a pain free and healthier life. Those changes are not hard; simply educate yourself and follow some easy strategies for lasting health. In other words, give your body what it needs; healthy water, clean air, good food, proper supplementation, moderate exercise and sufficient rest. Be proactive and focus on maintaining your good health.

If you have Fibromyalgia and need assistance, the Wolfe Clinic’s Natural Health Practitioners and knowledgeable product specialists are here to help you make the right choices. Call for a consultation today.

The Wolfe Clinic has over 28 years of successful practice and experience in creating successful health programs.

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As well, be sure to read the “Spoiled Rotten” and the “Reclaim Your Inner Terrain” booklets and look at the Food Combining and Acid Alkaline Charts.

It is never too late to start living a healthy life.
Call The Wolfe Clinic today!

It is never too late to start living a healthy life. Call The Wolfe Clinic today!

Call The Wolfe Clinic Today!

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