Autoimmune diseases happen when the body’s natural defense system cannot tell the difference between your own cells and foreign cells, causing the body to mistakenly attack normal cells. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases that affect a wide range of body parts, with the most popular being rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes type 1, lupus, multiple sclerosis (MS), and celiac disease. Although numerous studies have shown that fibromyalgia is not an autoimmune disease, research…
The phrase “tender points” isn’t something you hear every day. But if you have fibromyalgia, you may be familiar with those words. In fact, your doctor may have used tender points to diagnose you. What Are Tender Points? In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) introduced criteria for diagnosing people with fibromyalgia. Part of the criteria included 18 possible tender points throughout the body. Tender points are small spots located around your neck, shoulders,…
Popular actress, writer, producer, and director, Lena Dunham, has recently revealed that she suffers from fibromyalgia. Recently, the talented creator of the hit series, Girls, opened up about what it is like to suffer from a long-term chronic pain condition in an Instagram post, which immediately received over 50,000 likes. In this blog, we discuss why we think such a high-profile person has chosen to speak out about her health problems and how she has…
Previously known as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is caused by an injury to the sympathetic nerves, resulting in severe pain. The condition can be catastrophic, permanent, and disabling. CRPS can be difficult to diagnose as there is no single test which can be carried out to give you a yes or no answer. Doctors may carry out the following tests: Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More…. Budapest…
If you have symptoms that point to fibromyalgia but haven’t been diagnosed, you are not alone. Many people spend years working with doctors to rule out other diseases. That’s because a number of other conditions share fibromyalgia’s primary symptoms—chronic pain and fatigue. Ruling Out Similar Conditions Wouldn’t it be a relief if there was a simple lab test that could identify fibromyalgia? Unfortunately, there are no tests or X-rays available to diagnose the condition. As…
Fibromyalgia affects about 5 to 6 million people in the United States, mostly women. Yet, so little is known about the condition and people with fibromyalgia often feel misunderstood. Here, three women share their thoughts about living with fibromyalgia. 1. The pain and fatigue are real. People understand pain and fatigue if they can see the cause, like a broken bone or an incision from an operation. Fibromyalgia is an invisible illness though, making it…
Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Although it is a chronic disease, fibromyalgia is not a progressive disease, meaning it will not usually worsen over time, and taking steps to treat fibromyalgia can help relieve your symptoms. However, it is worth bearing in mind that some external actions like stress or trauma can lead to the conditioning worsening. Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More…. Fibromyalgia…
There’s a lot that’s not known about fibromyalgia. Doctors aren’t sure what causes it and why it affects certain people instead of others. But experts continue to learn about the disease and who may be more likely to get it. The risk factors fall into five categories: gender, heredity, sleep pattern, weight, and having certain pre-existing conditions. Here are some risk factors identified so far: Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More….…
Was this helpful? “To fall is not to fail. You fail when you don’t try.” – Superchick, “Get Up” Click Here to Visit the Store and find Much More…. It’s easy to think of yourself as a failure when fibromyalgia has taken so much away from you. But you are not a failure. You prove that every day by continuing to try. This song quoted above is about persistence and is a wonderful anthem for…
When you wake up in a fibromyalgia flare—with that feeling that you can’t move, as if a 500-pound weight has been dropped on you in your sleep—you can’t help but wonder how you can possibly face the day. On mornings like this, the best thing you can do is limit your activity and rest. Still, even as your body takes the downtime it needs, feelings of guilt or other negative emotions can make days like…