What the hell is wrong with people??
The other night I heard of a 16-year old who was "recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia." Folks, I've ranted about this before. At the risk of sounding inflammatory and pissing off the masses (I do that, it's part of my charm)... Fibromyalgia is a load of hooey. It's the new Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It's what your doctor labels you with when you have nothing tangible wrong with you but everything to complain about, when you're convinced you have something but nobody seems to be able to diagnose you...when you will be pacified by a label to pin on your whininess. Is it coincidence that 90% of the patients with fibromyalgia also just happen to be middle-aged, divorced or otherwise unhappy women who also suffer from depression? I'm thinkin' not. Perfecly illustrated by the Lyrica commercial out there that begins "My doctor put me on a new medicine for my fibromyalgia. And it's not an antidepressant!" Says it all.
But sixteen. Really??
All kinds of labels get put on all kinds of things. Problem children are labeled autistic or ADHD. I'm not saying for a second that these diagnoses are not real - for heaven's sake, I take medicine for ADD myself - but I think they are wildly overdiagnosed. It's just my opinion, but I think crappy, irresponsible parenting is to blame for half of what I see diagnosed as either of those. I've seen kids, teenagers mostly, labeled with bizarre, obscure, terrible-sounding and sympathy-garnering things like "central nervous system dystrophy" and "selective attention deficit disorder" (Really?? Yes, really.) Sometimes I think the diagnoses are fabricated by Google-happy parents, and sometimes they actually bring documentation from some institution of quackery that validates the dread disease their little ray of sunshine suffers from.
We as a nation have become completely irresponsible. Aren't parents accountable for anything involving their kids anymore?? Kids can be overdramatic, everybody knows that. One of our girls tends to malinger and goes through spurts where I'm sure the office staff at school want to say "What hurts now?" Another of 'em has occasional allergic reactions to something, none of us can figure out what. And the other tends toward the Oscar-worthy playup of soccer injuries. The boys, well, they just aren't old enough to milk anything, and don't have more than bumps and bruises and normal boy stuff. But you know what?? We don't rush them off to the ER every time something is a little wrong, and we don't look for mysterious diagnoses that make us feel better as parents.
Gar.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
38 comments:
I have to laugh because my grandmother suffers from the infamous fibromyalgia and she is a typical hypochondriac. Everything hurts all the time but nothing really specific.
And as far as the kids go, I agree that ADHD and other sensory "disorders" are wildly over-diagnosed. I am not saying that kids don't really have these issues, but not as many do as those who suffer from obnoxious kid syndrome.
I know that Aaron has ADHD but it's so mild that we don't have him on medication. We use behavioral modification and it works for the most part. I think a lot of his drama is just 7-year-old B.S. Boy, I can't wait until he's a teen.
Wow,
I stumbled onto your blog while looking at my Google alerts on Fibro. Let me offer another view for you.
At age 26, with a wonderful husband and two beautiful children and a wonderful life, I came down with the flu. Immediately after, strange symptoms began: numbness in my extremities, weak reflexes, horrific fatigue, feeling "spaced out", and others. Doctors suspected Guillane-Barre, did bloodwork, Xrays, MRI, nerve conduction tests, and even a spinal tap. Nothing abnormal. I suffered for 19 yrs with these symptoms until dx by a rheumatologist with fibro. It is a daily struggle, and I assure you I am no hypochondriac. As for the anti-depressant issue, studies have shown them to be beneficial in treating fibro symptoms...many drugs treat more than one issue.
I sincerely hope neither you nor one of your family ever suffers as those with fibro do. I would never question your dx....it is quite the insult to those of us who live with this daily for you to do so to us.
Wow, are you actually a nurse. Perhaps you need to educate yourself about the condition of fibromyalgia as it is not just a hypochondriac's label, but a real condition, recognized by the National Academy of Rheumatologists, among others. You aren't just offensive and rude to those suffering from this. You show yourself to be downright ignorant.
Hmmm, evidently your last two commenters have never stepped outside their medication-induced comfort zone and spent any quality time in the world of ER nursing. FYI to all of you over-sensitive blog readers: just because a nurse has a less-than-fuzzy OPINION about a certain disease does not mean that he/she is a) intolerant, b) unkind, or c) ignorant. In fact, this may be the only way that he/she can vent, and therefore continue taking care of whiny, needy people day after day after day and not become homicidal. Just a thought.
I do hope you get urself Educated on Subjects Perferrably BEFORE ya speak about them...just so ya don't end up Looking quite so Dumb...Just a thought...I Pray I never cross Paths with you...
If working around people that are in Pain Bothers you so Much perhaps you should take up a different Profession....Like Librarian or something, then you could read up on things you OBVIOUSLY Know Nothing about...
Spelling is also a great idea in the category of things to read up on, in case one gets bored....
Suzanne, Anonymous, and msboni:
Thank you. You have perfectly illustrated my point, and your personal perspectives have given more credence to my opinion.
And just for sport: why don't the three of you enlighten us with your medication lists and comorbidities. And how about your age, occupation, and marital status. I'm doing a little informal research study.
I'm all ears.
And as with any post, if you don't like what you see here, click that little X in the upper right hand corner. This is my place to say what I want, and I'm not likely to suffer sleepless nights from your snarky little comments.
And yes, I am a nurse, and a damn good one by most accounts. And I'm also literate.
Jesus.
Ok......where do I start........let's see howabout Fibromyalgia is the biggest bag of bull shit to come down the pike since the fucking pet rock. It amazes me that 95% of "fibro" pt's are middle age, overweight, depressed, divorced or unmarried women that sit and wonder why their kids left home at 18 and their husband left at his first opportunity. Let me tell you why frumpy. It's because you didn't care enough about your health or appearence. When you realized that you weren't getting the sympathy you needed to feel "loved" you came up with your fantom pain. You know why all of your labs and studies come back normal? Because there is nothing wrong with you that can be verified in any way other then your pathetic. I've had terminal CA pt's the whined less then the run of the mill "fibro" pt. Fibromyalgia is just as real as UFO's, bigfoot and the fucking easter bunny. Oh you don't like this post? Fuck off. Go down some more of the anti depressants the Doc gave you to shut you the fuck up! You don't like this Blog? Read the comments above. Whiney people should be shot in the leg so they know what pain really is.
Ok......where do I start........let's see howabout Fibromyalgia is the biggest bag of bull shit to come down the pike since the fucking pet rock. It amazes me that 95% of "fibro" pt's are middle age, overweight, depressed, divorced or unmarried women that sit and wonder why their kids left home at 18 and their husband left at his first opportunity. Let me tell you why frumpy. It's because you didn't care enough about your health or appearence. When you realized that you weren't getting the sympathy you needed to feel "loved" you came up with your fantom pain. You know why all of your labs and studies come back normal? Because there is nothing wrong with you that can be verified in any way other then your pathetic. I've had terminal CA pt's the whined less then the run of the mill "fibro" pt. Fibromyalgia is just as real as UFO's, bigfoot and the fucking easter bunny. Oh you don't like this post? Fuck off. Go down some more of the anti depressants the Doc gave you to shut you the fuck up! You don't like this Blog? Read the comments above. Whiney people should be shot in the leg so they know what pain really is.
Wowsers - controversy.
I only have one thing to say Erica:
YOU ROCK!
ADD -- is'nt that the result of a child that was not hugged enough..?
ADD was thought to be a result of bad parenting in the 70's & 80's unless you lived with it and understand that this is not the case..
Fibro just needs time as these guy's are going through the same bullshit you and your parents went through before it became mainstream....
Erica, you are correct...this is your site, and you certainly have the right to your opinion. I was merely giving you my story, and I can assure you I have a most fulfilling life, college graduate, very happy, with a wonderful husband, happily married for 27 yrs, with 2 beautiful grown daughters who are a joy. I love my life! And I have fibromyalgia.
I take muscle relaxants and anti inflammatories daily...no pain meds at all. My ob put me on Celexa two years ago after a hysterectomy instead of hormone therapy. I'm now off that medication, and did not take it during my first seventeen years with fibro.
I won't return to your site...I don't think I could give anyone here insight as to how this syndrome affects a person. I sincerely wish good health for you and yours.
Mr. Winky, you raise a valid point. And thank you for doing so in a neutral manner.
Suzanne, happy trails. I wish you well.
Di-tto! as a middle-school teacher and (eek!) parent I NEVER see any of the affore mentioned drama (said with every drop of sarcasm I could muster) it's pretty sad some of the topics that are included in our curriculum that shoudl be taught by parents...ie compassion, respect, honesty....you would think...
Actually I am On No Meds...Not a One...Tho I do NOT Look down on those that are on Meds...Meds that Dr.s have prescribed for them...what I want is Help, Real help, not a bandaid that has alot of side Effects..what I want is an Answer as to What has gone Wrong...I had not even heard of fI ibromyalgia before I was Diagnosed, all I Know is what I felt...and what I felt was Wrong...I am happy for those who do NOT Feel this, i was once one of those, but even then, i felt Compassion...for Anyone with a chronic illness...we are biological creatures, anything can go wrong at any given time, causeing a Cascade of symtpoms within a person...I Keep searching for that One Reason...
I am Thinking they Need to add a Class for Treating People with Compassion, you sound somehow bitter...Cold...Not a nurse I would want, but I guess if your are just in it for the Money/Status, and Really NOT into it to Actually help people,as it Seems to becoming an Increasingly "Common Theme" in the Medical Profession...
it is Dr.s that Diagnose us, when they are To lazy to keep searching for REASONS for our Pain...I Awoke with this Pain after a Surgery, before that I was very Active...had a Very Full Life...it has since slowly dwindled, tho I fight it everyday...I am not winning this fight, but I will go to my grave fighting in Hopes that those younger then I will get some Real answers...
So you are makeing Fun of your own Profession basically...since it IS the Medical community that has come Up with this Diagnosis in the first place...
I Could care Less what they Call it...I just know HOW it has Effected me within my Life...and you in the very profession meant to Help People, have done harm...real harm...by being Cold...Cold and clinical are very Different, I can understand the Need to Pull back, not become Emotionally Involved, but to Blatently Disrespect people who Live with this everyday is Completely uncalled for...How Cold your World must be...
I have Actually come to hate the Diagnosis, it is like a weight that is forever tied to you, Once you have that in your chart, they simply stop looking...Like nothing else can be Wrong...throw ya a bandaid...don't call me in the Morning...
I do Hope that within your Life, you have warm Compassionate people to get you thru when ever the need arises...Obviously you just have not needed it yet, as you have No idea what it even is...Take care and god Bless...
Thank god you don't live anywhere near me you ignorant, unprofessional and rude bitch! That literate enough for you?
Lis, true dat. All of the things our parents taught us from the time we were little, folks are now expecting school to do for them. Every time I visit my kids' school to volunteer, I'm struck by what a Sisyphean task the teachers have. Talk about an underpaid profession.
And msboni, let me digress for just a second to ask you about your curious use of capitalization. Are you translating from a different language, using a bizarre software program that capitalizes inappropriately, or is it a misguided form of attempted emphasis like the misuse of quotation marks I "totally" hate?
(Yes, that was intentional.)
Let me get back to the salient points of fibromyalgia. Which are, essentially, that it's a catch-all diagnosis for when all others have failed (Can we at least all agree on that??), and that broken down into its component parts, the word means "muscle fiber pain." Folks, we all have muscle fiber pain, for Chrissakes. I have it when I carry too many bags of groceries at once. I have it after I run a couple miles. I get it from playing Wii with the kids. I have it at work from standing, running, and hefting people around for twelve hours straight.
Can anybody argue with me if I say I have pain someplace? Nope, guess not. Is there a lab test or x-ray that proves that I have that pain? Nope, again. So if I give my pain a fancy medical name, it sounds way better than if I'm just complaining about something hurting all the time. That's what it comes down to. I never intended to say that folks with "fibro" don't have pain. We all do. It's a function of being alive. I'm simply saying that the cornucopia of problems we've given a name doesn't necessarily deserve to be elevated to ICD-9 status. Or perhaps, it fits best within the DSM-IV. IMHO.
Contrary to what a few new readers apparently think, I really am a nice person - and I am as compassionate as they come to those who are truly ill. I may be at times cynical - you would be too if you saw, every day, abuse of the system, misappropriation of all the tax money you give in good conscience, and people who actually draw disability income based on diagnoses like fibromyalgia.
But cynicism aside, I love my job and I'm good at it, and lots of my patients tell me they can tell I love it by the quality of care I provide. I have a full and happy life too. And I don't have fibromyalgia.
Dear Erica,
For your informal research study: I am a female, not depressed, retired High School History Teacher, Married for 32 years, mother of 3 highly successful children...one of which is an ER nurse at a Highly Respected Teaching Hospital, owner of a dog, and my medicines are these:2,000 mg of Vitamin D and 200 mg of Gabapentin. I also enjoy Massage therapy monthly and have learned to manage my own pain without much medication.
Now on to your ignorant rantings....First, I find it very disturbing that you have not been required to complete further study into current medical conditions and treatments. Perhaps your hospital does not require, but I highly doubt that your state does not require such continuing education. Hmmm, this leads me to believe that although you are indeed an ER nurse, you are either part-time or "that" nurse who is considered the warm body....every hospital unit has at least one.
Second, I will share one, of Many, research findings that have recently been published, in order to whet your whistle to further educate yourself. I can point you to the New England Journal of Medicine, where you will find quite a few similar research findings and reports, to begin your research.
Taken from realhealth@healthiernews.com/dailydose
"Study proves fibromyalgia is the real deal
Fibromyalgia sufferers have gotten a raw deal for years...... Many doctors think the disease is all in their head because there's no lab test that can confirm the source of their symptoms. And with symptoms as elusive as chronic fatigue, muscle pain, and persistent doubt, it's not hard to figure out why these docs are so stumped.
Past research has implied that depression was actually the true source of the fatigue and pain of Fibromyalgia. But a new study has detected brain abnormalities in Fibromyalgia patients. So while these new findings may not be a cure, they're sure to give peace of mind (and no small sense of vindication) to any Fibromyalgia sufferer who's gotten a skeptical look from his physician.
In this new study, 30 women (20 with Fibromyalgia, and 10 with no disorders) were given a brain imaging test called Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).
The result? The Fibromyalgia sufferers had blood flow anomalies known as "brain perfusion" that the healthy women did not. What's more, the researchers found that the degree of brain perfusion was in direct proportion to the severity of the suffers' reported symptoms.
The lead author of the study, Dr. Eric Geudj of France's Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire de La Timone, said the results of the study showed "that the functional abnormalities observed were mainly related to disability" rather than depression and anxiety.
I can only imagine the frustration of the 10 million people (most of them women) who live not only with Fibromyalgia's symptoms, but also with the added stress of the doubt of the medical community. Think of dealing with the constant symptoms of pain, memory and concentration issues, stiffness, and sleeping problems – and then having your doctor looking at you sideways because his tests show that you're perfectly healthy."
"Fibromyalgia is a load of hooey. It's the new Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." This from a nurse. Hmm, how long do nurses go to school?
A person can qualify as a licensed practical nurse in one year. Registered nurse programs take two, three, or four years.
Now let's hear from some Board Certified Doctors of Physiatry:
Diagnoses that Physiatry can help:
* Arthritis
* Bursitis
* Carpal, Cubital, Tarsal Tunnel Syndromes
* Cervical / Lumbar Muscle Strain
* Cervical / Lumbar Radiculopathy
* Chronic Pain
* Epicondylitis
* Fibromyalgia
* Headache
* Muscle Pain & Strain
* Neuropathy
* Pain Management
* Post amputation pain, prosthetic care
* RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
* Rotator Cuff Injury
* Sacroilitis
* Sciatica
* Spasticity
* Spinal Cord Injury
* Stroke
How much education do these guys have?
It usually takes at least 11 years to become a doctor: 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and 3 years working in a hospital. For some specialties, doctors may have to work in a hospital for up to 8 years before they are trained.
Oh and for your survey:
I'm a middle aged MALE.
I was in a work related accident.
My right knee and lower left facet/SI joints were damaged and now have Osteo Arthritis in them so they grind every time I move.
I developed Fibromyalgia AFTER the accident. Until the accident I was healthy, happy, active, I roller bladed regularly, I was successful in my chosen profession.
Now an FCE test says that I can do a medium duty job with a maximum lift of 50 pounds. I've been struggling for three years to complete a two year Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Forensics. But I refuse to give up, I won't let Fibromyalgia win and I WILL take back control of my life from the workman's comp insurance company. How does that fit in with YOUR 90% that is based on your own observations alone, and not on scientific research?
I'll throw another hat in the ring. I am related to or work with no less than four women who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I gotta say, from what I see, they all are depressed, unhealthy, lonely, bored, and unwilling to do anything but pop pills to improve their lives. And they don't ever seem to be in pain or "sick".
While I don't doubt for a moment that there are those who really suffer from pains and ills that go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, these women definitly support Erica's POV.
Here is another for your personal research:
Latest Research Findings on Fibromyalgia
Posted September 6th, 2006 by Matt
in
* General (involves multiple body parts)
This year the National Fibromyalgia Research Association (NFRA) is sponsoring a conference to present the latest research findings on fibromyalgia. Since more than six million Americans are affected by this disorder, the topic is of interest to many patients and health care professionals.
Patients with fibromyalgia have widespread muscular pain and tender points along with severe fatigue. Over 50 other symptoms of all sorts have also been reported along with the primary muscular pain. Females (including children) are the most likely group to develop fibromyalgia. Women ages 20 to 55 are affected most often.
The symposium will be held September 9-10, 2006 in Salem, Oregon. Several major areas of research will be presented and discussed at the meeting such as:
# National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for fibromyalgia research
# Spinal stenosis linked with fibromyalgia
# Neurochemical abnormalities in fibromyalgia
# Role of autonomic nervous system in fibromyalgia
# Gene therapy for pain
For more information, contact the NFRA directly at 1-800-574-3468 or visit the NFRA website on-line at www.nfra.net.
National Fibromyalgia Research Association. What's New in Fibromyalgia and the CNS. In The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine. August 2006. Vol. 23. No. 8. Pp. 537-602.
And more:
Utilizing exercise to affect the symptomology of fibromyalgia: a pilot study
[CLINICAL SCIENCES: Clinical Investigations]
MEYER, BARBARA B.; LEMLEY, KATHY J.
Department of Human Kinetics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201; and Milwaukee Medical Clinic, Milwaukee, WI
Submitted for publication January 1999.
Accepted for publication January 2000.
Address for correspondence: Barbara B. Meyer, P.O. Box 413, Department of Human Kinetics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53201; E-mail: bbmeyer@uwm.edu.
Abstract
MEYER, B. B., and K. J. LEMLEY. Utilizing exercise to affect the symptomology of fibromyalgia: a pilot study. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 32, No. 10, pp. 1691-1697, 2000. Fibromyalgia (FM), a rheumatological disorder of unknown origin, is characterized by both physical and psychological symptoms. Although inconclusive results have been reported for most treatment modalities, exercise appears to have universal support for decreasing the myriad of symptoms associated with FM. Weaknesses in the literature, however, prevent conclusive statements regarding exercise prescription and concomitant impact on FM symptomology.
Purpose: The current pilot study attempted to examine the effect of a 24-wk walking program at predetermined intensities on FM.
Methods: Initial design was a randomized control trial with high- and low-intensity exercise groups, and a control group. Subsequent nonrandomized control trials were based on actual exercise behavior.
Results: No differences between initial groups were identified. By collapsing groups, heart rate (HR) decreased (P < 0.05) weeks 0-12. Functional impairments were reduced 54% weeks 0-24, with exercise having a large impact (ω2 = 0.30) on this decrease. By reassigning groups, impact of FM on current health status decreased in the low-intensity group (P < 0.05) and increased in the high-intensity group (P < 0.02) weeks 0-24. Omega squared indicated strong influence of exercise on pain (ω2 = 0.51), with greater pain in the high-intensity group.
Conclusions: A larger number of subjects and direct supervision of the training program to increase compliance is necessary to clarify the effects of a walking program on the manifestations of FM. Results indicate that intensity of the walking program is an important consideration. Individuals with FM can adhere to low-intensity walking programs two to three times per week, possibly reducing FM impact on daily activities.
This study is too long to paste here, so I am giving you the name of the study, the doctors' names, and the web site. You can check it out for yourself.
Published in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Vol. 8, No. 2, 2001. PP3-28.
EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND
FIBROMYALGIA—A RANDOMIZED, DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBOCONTROLLED,
INTENT TO TREAT STUDY
Jacob E. Teitelbaum, MD*1; Barbara Bird, M.T.,C.L.S.*; Robert M. Greenfield, MD1;
Alan Weiss, MD1; Larry Muenz, Ph.D2; Laurie Gould, BS*3
[*Annapolis Research Center For Effective FMS/CFIDS Therapies, 466 Forelands Rd.,
Annapolis, MD 21401; 1) Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MD; 2)
Gaithersburg, MD; 3) USDA, Beltsville, MD]
www.fibroandfatigue.com/files/rct-study.pdf
Truly, I am sorry for all that the dreaded fibromyalgia has singlehandedly taken from the lot of you.
But your cross-posting over at dailystrength.org et al. is doing amazing things for my site statistics!! Thank you so much!!
If the Hit score makes you a better nurse and leads you to be more compassionate to your patients, it is all worth it.
Erica, you Hit upon something in your Reply to me...that is that we ALL get sore from time to time...
I used to Actually Love the stiffness I would get the day after a workout...I Strived for that, as it told me I was Progressing...Muscles a bit sore ?? jump in a relaxing Bath with epsom salts, a couple drops of lavender oils, Light some candles...all is well within your World...this is NOT what Fibromyalgia is...
Our Base Symptom is 24/7/365 Tight achey Muscles, if you have Ever had the Flu, or some other Virus, That is what we feel, daily...sometimes Real Intense, sometimes Not so bad, then add in some Tight tendons, you can Barely Move, and it takes Everything you have to stay Loosened up, No AD, or Lyrica is going to Help that...only Exercise, Massage Therapy, perhaps working out in a heated Pool will help to Relax those...Add in some Nerve Pain, perhaps you have Never experienced Nerve Pain, until I did I had No Idea that a person Could Feel that kind of Pain, and Survive it, and it comes and goes in different areas randomly, for Seemingly No Reason...
I Have No Idea what has brought this on, I certainly have done Nothing within my Life to Deserve it, Nor have I done Anything to Deserve being Treated so Poorly by the Very Establishment that Diagnosed me with this either...A Simple touch Feels like a Knuckle Punch, in probably 60 percent of my body..
you are Not alone in your Feelings, and I Understand how and Why People within the Medical Community get so Frustrated...we come thru the door, you look up Knowing that you cannot help us anyway because you have no Idea where to even Start...that is not the fault of Dr.s or Nurses, that is Fully on the hands of Researchers. all you can do is Apply what you have been Taught...and either You were not taught well, or you did not pick up on all that was taught, I see you have add...that would explain alot I guess...
and I understand that you may be feeling some burnout, you are human...we have all gone thru it...but why not Just admit ur Frustrations, instead of Attacking a group ? you are ON a Public Board, and not looking to good, for either yourself, or for your career as a whole...
Take a Break !! Take a Breath !! you have your health !! Be Thankful !! Don't be so hurtful...
I am thinking after reading what Scott had to say that you 2 Might make a perfect Couple, both Cold...Ever think about Hooking Up ?? at least you would know One thing for certain, and that is if Either of you Ever Suffered a Chronic condition, you would Recieve No Compsssion, or Support from the other...you could sit together and patient Bash all night !! Yeay !! sounds like your Cup of Tea !!
I have a Beautiful man, he has a warm comapssionate heart, always treats people with Respect...but certainly Not the type who would have been Attracted to someone who is Fat and Frumpy...No Passion for Life...
we get tired, we do...living this way is Not fun, but I think you are Misreading Frustration with Depression...
I Hope you School urself on what kinds of Illness that may come thru the ER doors, I think that may make a better Nurse out of you..
I don't want this in me, I have a wonderful Life, but at least for Now I have accepted it, as I learn to dance around people like You, and Like scott...Terrifying that you 2 are in this Profession...
The great Thing is that we all have a right to our opinion. Second great thing is you do not live in our world. I hope that you life continues to be so grand. I only wish you could live in my shoes for one day and to really understand fibromyalgia. I am happily married for 21 years and have two awesome kids. I try to live a normal life just like you. I have a full time job. I am not saying that there isn't people who use this illness but it is very real. Most of us try to hide it from others because of the same comments you used. When I pick and doctor and a nurse I want someone who is going to help me not judge me. So please the next time you are helping someone with fibromyalgia just try to think how you would feel or want to be treated. I will pray that your love one and yourself never deals with fibromyalgia. Have a nice evening and I hope that I have helped to give you a new opinion on the subject.
Wow! I followed your post from Envisage, and sure enough -- you sure stirred something up here!
I have to admit; my opinion is similar to yours. I think those who claim fibromyalgia are generally full of hooey. They're mainly depressed middle-aged women who are major drama queens, though "clearly" you have some exceptions among your commenters.
I really think that it is hilarious how all of these people have proven the "assumption" that many sufferers of fibromyalgia may have psychological components to their disease (I wonder if that is related to the "decreased brain perfusion" discussed in the above study?). One would think that if there was an area of the Internet that illicits such anger or distress, that such a person would avoid it.
However, in this case, it seems that many of these fibromyalgia patients/readers jump at the chance to raise their collective voices in outrage at an opinion...why is that? To change your mind on the topic? To garner sympathy or attention for their cause? To point out how horrible their lives are, and call you nasty names to make themselves feel better in their misery? Interesting. I guess it is a good thing that they haven't found me yet, lol!
As an aside, any person who doesn't have the balls to use an online identity when they comment, and instead hide in anonymity, holds absolutely no weight with their opinions, especially in this case.
Oh, I almost forgot. I wonder if everyone commenting on this post who refers to God as "god" also sign their names utilizing only the lowercase alphabet (the exception of course being to the person who obviously does not possess the knowledge of proper punctuation and capitalization). Quite strange how many people opted out of the "proper nouns and grammar" portion of elementary school. Sorry for the topic deviation Erica; I figured since we were discussing our personal irritants, I was free to bring that up....
I have fibromyalgia,i have no other medical problems.I am very happily married ,work full time and i'm not deppressed ....Except about being in pain every day.The only prescription i take is a muscle relaxant.Before my first major flare i only went to the dr once a year for a yearly physical and i still only do that untill they find a cause and cure.I had never even heard of fibro before suffering from it .
20 years ago people with MS met your attitude of dismissal because there wasn't a test to prove it ,now of course we have MRI's so theres proof.
I do agree that there are fads of diagnosing things.For example you can't be shy anymore your have to have a social anxiety disorder.I also think many people use the ER for stupid things they can take care of themselves.When my son had chicken pox i wasn't going to take him in to infect everyone in the waiting room,we dealt with it and i informed the dr afterwards for the records.
Erica,
I must apologize for writing back to Independent Slave on your blog. I realize that this is not proper, but I really must respond to her. Please forgive my rudeness.
Independent Slave, your last two comments above this are very surprising to me. I went to look at your profile, in an effort to understand where all the hostility was coming from. While there I read that you are anxiously awaiting the return of your Lord. This surprises me even more. You simply must see that you have not been treating these people in a Christ-like manner at all. Please reconsider your cold and purposefully hurtful remarks.
#1 - I only know one person who has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. She's 50ish, but doesn't really meet any of your other criteria as far as I can tell. However, I don't think you're too off the mark.
#2 - Ever heard of Oppositional Defiant Disorder? Seriously, a co-worker's son was labeled with that. Personally, I think he just needs his ass beat.
#3 - Kathy McC: Yeh, things will be much better when your son is a teen. (laughs hysterically)
To begin with, the original post was partially accurate. Fybromyalgia is a diagnosis by elimination. That means they cannot pinpoint a single causation, nor clusters of causation, to account for existing symptoms.
The Mayo clinic defines fibromyalgia thusly:
"You hurt all over, and you frequently feel exhausted. Even after numerous tests, your doctor can't find anything specifically wrong with you. If this sounds familiar, you may have fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain."
The concern many in the medical AND psychiatric field have is that this could become a "trend" diagnosis. In other words, when a doctor is not exhausting ALL other possiblities but simply goes by the symptoms. "Got this or this or this going on? Yep. It's fibro!"
On the up side, this has opened up a whole new possibility for research and pharmeceuticals. On the down side, this has opened up a whole new possibility for research and pharmeceuticals.
My advice to anyone, before they get addicted to pain killers, anti-depressants, and whatever else a physician tosses your way, is to GET A SECOND OPINION. Do it without telling the second MD what the first one said. Make a list of ALL symptoms (I know a woman who left out some of her physical complaints, got diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and it turned out she had a rare form of bone cancer!)
So, is it real? Well, it's real to the people who have the various physical symptoms. And apparently it's real enough for the Mayo Clinic. It's also real enough for Johns Hopkins ( http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/arthritis-info/fibromyalgia/ ).
Does their recognition mean ALL diagnoses of fibro are accurate? Nope.
Good luck and my prayers with all who have been thusly diagnosed.
Leah D. Walker, PhD
Texas
Wow....
Read your comment as well as a few other...
I am 6'1" fairly well-chisled worked harder than most of you by the time I was sixteen farmboy...
I was diagnosed by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester by the foremost RA Doc in the world with Fibromyalgia.
I think it is believeable for so many to have such an unthinkable attitude towards the affliction....mainly because through my experiences....is that most in the medical profession these days are poor in diagnostic abilty let alone able to put forth the effort to stay on top of recent developments in you field.
Some days I shake my head and say WTF....
All right, I'm weighing in again because it's morning and I'm undercaffeinated and grouchy, and because basically you people have forced me to.
I find it interesting that people with "fibro" have to validate it with their doctor's credentials and huge-impressive-hospital reputations. That in itself smacks of posturing. Dude. And you're trying awfully hard to make sure I know you're all happy and *NOT* depressed, and you're all trying awfully hard to impress me with your ablebodiedness. Those things are all well and good. But it doesn't mean I think it's any less of a crock. There are some crummy diagnosticians out there, and some lazy docs who jump at a generic label like fibro. And that's just the problem. I'm not saying these patients don't have pain. That's not for me to say. I don't begrudge you your pain and suffering and whatever - my issue is and has always been with the medical "professionals" who take the easy way out by labeling it as fibro.
My wife is a nurse and has fibromyalgia and I am studying to be a nurse as well. I have spent the last 5 years researching fibromyalgia looking into the science of it and it is very real. Researchers have identified several differences in fibromyalgia patients compared to healthy controls. Some of these are elevated levels of homocysteine, and substance P (substance P increases the activation of nearby nerves in the spinal column amplifying the pain signal.) Fibromyalgia patients also have lower levels of creatine phosphate and ATP in their muscles which lowers their exercise tolerance since ATP and CP are the energy storage molecules for the muscles. Fibromyalgia patients are also found to have lower levels of serotonin and dopamine which is why taking a drug "anti-depressant" that increases the levels of serotonin or dopamine is helpful. Depression and fibromyalgia respond to physical compounds which means that there is a physical cause for their symptoms. Dismissing somebody as a hypochondriac that is in pain every day of their lives is a shitty thing to do especially when the science on fibromyalgia is clear.
Post a Comment