The LIGHT Center, T-90, College of the Redwoods (476-4290) - November 13, 2000

Pain is something that nobody likes and everybody wants to get rid of…something like taxes I think. Pain unlike taxes is difficult to measure. It is also perceived differently by different people. Some people seem to have a higher tolerance to pain than do others. To some a toothache is excruciating, while others can almost disregard the pain associated with it. At least 34 million Americans suffer from some type of disorder that results in chronic pain. These disorders include migraines, neuralgia, back problems and arthritis. Such pain can lead to anxiety, anger, depression and insomnia, as well as have an impact on relationships with friends and family.

One disorder that results in chronic pain is fibromyalgia. What is fibromyalgia? It is a musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder that causes muscles, ligaments and tendons to ache, twitch and burn. The main symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic pain, the "aching all over" sensation. The cause is yet unknown. There is some support for the theory that anyone who is stressed and under emotional trauma, or physically "out of shape" is more susceptible to pain. There is also evidence to suggest links with body chemicals and hormones, infections, and/or psychiatric factors.

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is difficult, as it has symptoms that are commonly associated with other diseases. It is known that women are more likely diagnosed than men, however that may be an artifact of the greater likelihood women have of seeking medical assistance. It seems to affect all ages and ethnicities equally. Even though the diagnosis is difficult, there are diagnostic signs that physicians currently use for diagnosis are:

• Widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum of three months
• At least 11 of 18 specified tender points. These cluster around the neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee and elbow areas. The pain is described as aching, burning, throbbing, shooting and stabbing
• Fatigue- "brain fatigue" in which the person feels drained of energy
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Sleep disorder or unrefreshing sleep-waking the morning and feeling like you’ve been hit by a Mack truck
• Jaw pain including temporomandibular joint dysfunction
• Cognitive and/or memory impairment
• Morning stiffness
• Malaise and muscle pain
• Menstrual cramping
• Numbness and tingling sensations
• Dizziness and/or lightheadedness
• Skin and chemical sensitivity

Please send any comments to trish-blair@redwoods.edu

If you lose the power to laugh, you lose the power to think.—

Clarence Darrow

TREATMENTS

Medications

The two body chemicals that regulate our ability to sleep are serotonin and norepinephrine. To try to boost the body’s production of these two substances, mediation can be prescribed. Typical medicines designed for this purpose are: Elavil, Flexeril, Sinequan, Paxil, Serzone,
Xanax, and Klonopin.

 

There are other medications that may also help including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.

Other Treatment Strategies

• Stress Reduction

• Regular Exercise-biking, swimming

• Adequate sleep

• Education about the condition

• Massage

• Hot Baths

 

There are some good websites that can provide more information:

http://www.fmnetnews.com/pages/basics.html