Fibromyalgia Unravelling The Mysteries Of The Dis Ease

As an invisible and somewhat mysterious syndrome fibromyalgia (FMS) affects millions. It is poorly understood by the contemporary medical establishment and it is difficult to find effective treatment. There is a great deal of fear associated with FMS and its companion chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It is little wonder that those afflicted are frustrated and often feel hopeless after searching for a long time for the causes of chronic pain and fatigue and then finally receiving a tentative diagnosis. Many have felt ashamed and guilty of living with a condition for which they often feel denigrated and is not easily diagnosed. This book is somewhat of a sequel to the first book Women and Fibromyalgia Living with an Invisible Dis-ease, published in 2007. However, it is an updated and more inclusive approach, presenting daring, tentative theories about these two conditions, based upon the research that has evolved over recent years. The author who has been living with FMS and CFS for many decades, writing blogs on a website and looking back on the formal interviews from the first book, a developed a comprehensive theoretical approach will entice the reader suffering from these syndromes to reconsider their own lives and to live more hopefully with the challenges of these conditions. Answers to their many questions will finally be put to rest. The types of personalities of those who develop these syndromes may appear scientifically unproven but the approach presented is supported by the hundreds of people world wide who agree with the theories put forward, the comments of which were found primarily on the website from which this book was sprung. It is a maze which has placed the dots in a comprehensive model for understanding.. FMS, CFS, PTSD are linked together for their commonalities of symptoms. Symptoms and management strategies are discussed of all three.

Revised and expanded, this edition offers the latest findings on chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and overlapping diseases such as Gulf War Syndrome. It includes new information on the interaction of the brain, emotions, and immune system as well.

This guide to fibromyalgia discusses its various causes and symptoms, the role of stress and other factors, and the different conventional and alternative remedies available.

This book is a look at the progression of a once discounted medical disorder, from suspicion of malingering and mental illness to mainline acceptance by the world medical community. It covers different aspects of the disease and its treatment, including global, economic, and risk statistics; a timeline of key events in the study of fibromyalgia; common symptoms and diagnostic indicators; pharmacologic and non-pharmacological treatments; associated disorders and syndromes; and the impact of fibromyalgia at home, in the workplace, and in society at large. Not that long ago, patients complaining of severe pain at the slightest touch were all too often met with disbelief from the health care profession, as well as by family, friends, and coworkers. But with cases growing and evidence mounting, this mysterious condition is becoming less mysterious and is increasingly recognized as a genuine illness. As described in this volume, three decades of objective scientific evidence has finally transitioned a suspicious set of symptoms into a real diagnosis for, and potential treatments of, fibromyalgia. It is a work focusing on important research discoveries, the struggles of patients, and hopes for a future cure. Adding to the coverage is a firsthand account from a young patient describing her experiences with this disease.

"Dr. Keddy captures the patient's experience of living and coping with suffering in the poignant interviews with twenty women who have fibromyalgia, herself included." -Dr. Jock Murray, medical humanities and neurology professor, Dalhousie University Medical School Fibromyalgia, a musculoskeletal condition characterized by widespread chronic pain and fatigue, specific tender points, and sleep disturbance, is a major medical and social concern for physicians, employers, workers' compensation boards, and the insurance industry. But what about those who suffer from the condition? Drawing on her own experiences as well as the stories of twenty other women living with the challenges of fibromyalgia, Barbara A. Keddy, RN, PhD, discusses current theories of causes and types of treatments. She also speculates about why this condition is more prominent among women than men. By sharing these stories, Keddy highlights the invisibility of the daily difficulties fibromyalgia sufferers face. With its uniquely personal perspective, Women and Fibromyalgia validates Keddy's experience and offers hope for her and others that they will someday take back control of their bodies.

More than six million Americans—most of them women—have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a disorder that produces musculo-skeletal pain and fatigue. In the absence of visible evidence, a well-understood cause, or effective treatment, many have questioned whether FMS is a "real" illness. Amidst the controversy, millions of women live with their very real symptoms.Rather than taking sides in the heated debate, Kristin Barker explains how FMS represents an awkward union between the practices of modern medicine and the complexity of women's pain. Using interviews with sufferers, Barker focuses on how the idea of FMS gives meaning and order to women beset by troubling symptoms, self-doubt, and public skepticism.This book offers a fresh look at a controversial diagnosis; Barker avoids overly simplistic explanations and empathizes with sufferers without losing sight of the social construction of disease and its relation to modern medical practice.

In an interesting survey amongst doctors, fibromyalgia was considered the least prestigious disease. Although this survey was done in a Scandinavian country and was done more than 13 years ago, the grim situation is still the same today all over the world. Patients suffering with fibromyalgia feel that they are not believed and they are not listened to. Despite knowledge being gathered on this disease for a few centuries, and having definite diagnostic criteria and management pathways, the healthcare system still fails many patients who are left without a diagnosis or treatment plan. Fibromyalgia is a disease that causes widespread pain in many areas of the body and has significant accompanying symptoms like fatigue, waking unrefreshed and cognitive symptoms. Fibromyalgia affects patients as a whole including their cognitive performance, physical skills, psychological status, ability to work and social life. It can present as a part of the spectrum of functional pain syndromes, often accompanied by other systemic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, headaches and chronic fatigue. It is estimated that 1 in 20 can suffer with this debilitating condition. This textbook will cover the condition in great detail and is written in an easy-to-understand style. Doctors, nurses, medical students, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals will find this book informative. Patients who suffer from fibromyalgia will also find it useful to understand their medical condition; the book will help to direct them to specific treatment strategies, explaining the benefit and risk in detail. As this is a common chronic pain presentation, it will be of immense use to candidates preparing for examinations conducted by the Royal College of Anaesthetists, UK (FRCA), Faculty of Pain Medicine, UK (FFPMRCA), American Board of Anesthesiology (AB), College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland (FCAI), European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EDAIC), Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FANZA), World Institute of Pain (FIPP/CIPS), Canadian Board exams, National Board of Examinations of India (Dip NB) and other competitive exams across the globe.

The pain you suffer from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is not in your imagination. FMS is a real medical problem that can be as debilitating and demoralizing as it is mysterious. Fibromyalgia For Dummies, Second Edition, brings you the latest scientific findings on the symptoms and causes of this disease and guides you toward proven, practical steps you can take reduce or eliminate FMS-related pain. This plain-English guide is fully updated with the latest fibromyalgia treatment options, and evaluations of new medications that have shown great promise in reducing pain. You'll discover how to spot an array of symptoms and their possible causes, work with your physician to develop a treatment plan, and manage your pain at home and in the office. You'll learn how to: Identify your FMS trigger points Cope with chronic pain and sleep problems Find medications that work for you Locate a physician who can really help you Make healing lifestyle changes Use hands-on therapies to alleviate pain Find effective over-the-counter and prescription medications Choose among alternative therapies and treatments Reduce the emotional distress caused by FMS Help a child with FMS Featuring moving and inspiring stories from fellow FMS sufferers who share their stories and offer invaluable tips on working your way back to wellness, Fibromyalgia for Dummies, Second Edition offers serious and sensitive guidance to help you overcome FMS and start being yourself again.