You have been to the doctors and have had numerous tests, yet your doctor just could not find anything specifically wrong with you.
All you know is that you are in a lot of pain, you never seem to have much energy and you are always tired. You have been to the doctors and have had numerous tests, yet your doctor just could not find anything specifically wrong with you. . If this sounds familiar to you then you may have fibromyalgia.
There is no one special diagnostic test such as a blood tests or x-rays since fibromyalgia cannot be confirmed, these test more than likely will come back as normal; but they do rule out other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. A positive side fibromyalgia is not progressive or life threatening.
To help in the assessment and study of fibromyalgia The American College of Rheumatology established a general classification guide lines.
- Patient to experience widespread aching pain for at least three months.
- The patient to have eleven locations of the body that are abnormally tender under mild firm pressure.
Self care can improve the symptoms and general health.
- Reduce Stress with techniques for stress management like meditation and breathing exercises. Set-up plans to limit emotional stress and over exertion.
- Get enough sleep, keep to regular sleep habits going to bed and getting up at the same time.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eat foods that are healthy, limit caffeine, do something every day that you really enjoy and find fulfilling.
Some of the treatments and medications are similar to arthritis and are mentioned in my previous article on Living a full life with arthritis.
There is also an excellent course by Carol Wallace on Suite101. Carol goes more in depth and has an eight lesson course in participating and the understanding of fibromyalgia.
