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No doubt the majority of people, at least those located in the U.S.A.,
are familiar with the Mythbusters series on the Discovery Channel. They take myths and
urban legends we have all heard of, and set out to either prove, or disprove them. For
years, people exhibiting Fibromyalgia symtoms have endured a myriad of diagnose disasters
at the hands of the very professionals they turned to for help. These diagnoses and early
treatment protocols have taken on a life of their own, turning into myths that confuse the
patients, their friends and families and many uneducated health care providers.
It it unfair to blame the health care
providers of the past as available knowledge, and medical school did not prepare them for
the confusing condition known as Fibromyalgia. However, the wealth of available new
studies and a better insight into the mind, body connection should leave no doubt that
Fibromyalgia is a very real, very damaging condition.
Despite the progress made by brave
researchers, health care providers and grass-roots activists, many of the old myths remain
alive and well. We are here to dispel those myths.
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Real or Busted?:
Fibromyalgia affects the muscles and joints.
Busted: While the pain from FM feels like it is coming from the muscles
and joints research has failed to show any damage to the musculoskeletal system. There is
no reported damage to the muscles or joints in people with Fibromyalgia.
Real or Busted?:
Fibromyalgia is just another form of arthritis.
Busted: Fibromyalgia has been shown to be a neurologic disease
affecting the central nervous system. Thanks to research we know that FM is not an
inflammatory condition. There is no inflammation to either the muscles, bones or joints.
Real or Busted?:
Fibromyalgia is a womans disease.
Busted: While the numbers have shown a large rate of women reporting
Fibromyalgia symptoms some researchers attribute this to a woman's willingness to seek
medical care, while men tend to shy away from doctors. Many children's aches are written
off as growing pains, but a number of health care providers are taking a child's claim of
pain seriously. In actuality Fibromyalgia affects men, women and children of all ages. It
has also been suggested that since Fibromyalgia is more prevelant in people who have
suffered physical, sexual or mental abuse that more women may suffer as they are the one
of the largest groups of people targeted by abusers.
Real or Busted?:
Fibromyalgia is an autoimmune disease.
Busted: There is no known research to prove that FM is caused by any
virus or bacteria. Nor has it ever been proven to be an immune disorder. (Many people with
FM also suffer with autoimmune disease, such as Chohn's, Sjogren's or thyroid disease, but
no link has been made between the two.)
Real or Busted?:
Fibromyalgia is all in your head, just a psychological problem or depression.
Busted: It is a known fact that the level of Fibromyalgial patients with
depression is no higher than that of people suffering from other chronic illnesses. The
illness causes the depression, not the other way around. Fibromyalgia is a real disorder
with documented biological abnormalities, such as;
Low levels of
serotonin, dopamine, cortisol.
Abnormal levels
of "substance P," a neurotransmitter that helps your brain process pain signals.
Low levels of
nerve growth factor.
Decreased blood
flow to certain areas of the brain that may help you control your pain sensitivity and
cognitive functions.
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Jane Kohler is not a health care professional. Jane has lived with FM for forty years and
has been a staunch activist for chronic pain patients. She has read every piece of
research available and has talked to numerous health care providers for more years than
she cares to admit to. As always, educate your self but never make any changes to your
health care routine without consulting with your doctor first.
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Page Updated: January 02, 2009
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