Fibro 101

Fibro 101 is now in TWO parts. It's divided between part 13 and 14 so be sure to continue to scan down to see all the goodies in this thread.


Compiled here are links to a lot of great information about fibromyalgia. This will make it easy for our members to read and refer back whenever needed. Hope this is helpful to you.

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Here are some links to help understand where doctors are now thinking our pain is coming from. Here is the first link.


relief.news/pain-101-looking-to-the-brain-to-understand-fibromyalgia-and-other-chronic-pain-conditions/


The second one is for the NIH and is heavy on medical language but still an absolutely great article to read to help people understand exactly what is happening with our brains and Central Nervous System.



http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3258006/



This really helps explain why Fibro is a BRAIN issue. This is why many of us can have severe pain in our leg or arm for example when there is nothing "physically" wrong with it. As in it's not broken, we didn't fall on it, etc.



Our brain is constantly getting and sending the wrong signals which in turn causes our nerves to be over-active as well as our muscles to spasm because of being in pain all the time. That is why many people get help with either a nerve pain medication or muscle relaxer.

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Here are some great links to help you understand fibro better.

1.) Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

This list is long but we don't each have every symptom. We usually have many of them, though. Chutz posted this.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=24&m=1565084

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2.) Cheers! Welcome To The Land Of Fog Where Everyone Forgets Your Name

This jam-packed post was put together by Jeannie.


https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=24&m=2445249
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3.) Malic Acid/Magnesium Supplements

Many people with fibromyalgia are deficient in these nutrients. I have had success with these and so have quite a few other members. Here is information all about them and how they work in your body.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=24&m=1238999

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4.) Vitamin D Supplements

Many people with fibromyalgia are deficient in Vitamin D. This can cause some pain and fatigue. Here is good information all about this.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=24&m=1423725

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5.) The Spoon Theory

This is a great way to try to explain what having fibromyalgia is like. Many have found this to be very helpful.

www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/

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6.) Doctors Respond to New York Times Article

www.fightingfatigue.org/doctors-respond-to-ny-times-fm-article/

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7.) Costochondritis

Quite a few people with fibromyalgia will get pain in their chests and their rib cage. This could be costochondritis. Be sure to speak with your doctor, though. When I started with chest pains, I was thoroughly checked out by my doctor to rule out heart problems. I was then diagnosed with costochondritis. This is from the Mayo Clinic site.

www.mayoclinic.com/health/costochondritis/DS00626

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8.) Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome Information

These illnesses are similar but not the same illness. This explains these two health issues.

www.fmcpaware.org/m-n/myofascial-pain-syndrome
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9.) Gentle Stretching Exercises

These exercises were designed for long flights so they are done while sitting down. This is great for us and for those of us that have desk jobs. I think you will like these because they really do work!

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=24&m=1607193

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10.) What Else Could It Be?

This was compiled by a member named Carrie. This shows many illnesses that have many of the same symptoms as fibromyalgia. This is why we go through all of the testing.

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=24&m=1607922

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11.) Prescription Drug Help

Having chronic illnesses puts such a drain on our finances and some of us just can't afford our medication. Chutz and I did a search and came up with two sites that just might be able to help some of you!

www.pparx.org/

www.needymeds.org/

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12.) Finding a Fibro Doctor

We have been asked many times how to find a good doctor. You do need to do your homework because you want to make sure your doctor believes in fibro and treats it. You can check at your hospital or, if you have a teaching hospital near you, they would probably have a good doctor there. Also, read the doctors' ads in the yellow pages. Many times they list what illnesses they treat. Be sure to call the office, too, and ask if they treat patients with fibromyalgia. I make sure my doctor is board certified. I use an Internist but many members use a Rheumatologist to treat their fibromyalgia. But, as an added help, here is a link to doctors that DO treat fibro patients and perhaps one is close to you.

fmscommunity.org/findingadoctor.htm

Also, here is a link that Chutz found to all of the major university hospitals. There are many great doctors there and perhaps one is close to you.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_university_hospitals

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13.) Pain Chart and Pain Journal

Having chronic pain is so difficult and it is difficult to describe to our doctors just how we really feel. They need to know how we feel in order to give proper treatment. Below are a couple of sites that describe the levels of pain. One has pictures of faces that show the pain you are in. I've also included a link to a pain journal that Chutz found. Using these tools can help you and your doctor in getting good treatment for your pain.

http://www.partnersagainstpain.com/printouts/A7012AS6.pdf


http://www.theacpa.org/25/CommunicationTools.aspx


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