Fibromyalgia
It used to be that patients complaining of constant pain were told that it was all in their heads and these patients were thought of as hypochondriacs. Now, fibromyalgia, a form of chronic pain that appears to have no identifiable physical cause, is an official diagnosis. Doctors and researchers are working to find effective treatments for this condition.
Even though there is an official diagnosis for fibromyalgia, it remains a diagnosis of elimination. Doctors look for all possible causes of chronic pain such as heavy metal poisoning and drug reactions (e.g., to cholesterol medications) before diagnosing fibro. This means undergoing numerous tests; yet by the end of the testing period you will have an idea that you are pretty healthy outside of the constant pain and that is nice to know.
In treating fibromyalgia, physicians use a range of medications, from anti-depressants to shingles medication used off-label. It may take several months to find a combination of meds that are effective. Even so, medication may not completely eliminate the pain; although patients may experience a lessening of it over time.
So, along with medication, it is important to add some behavioral changes. Most often when something hurts, the natural inclination is to rest until the hurt goes away. Unfortunately, this can be counterproductive with fibromyalgia because this pain does not work the same way as pain due to recent injury.
Instead of resting, it is important to get some exercise because when you get moving, you end up feeling better. Movement helps you to have a sense of control in your life and it also causes your brain to secrete the chemicals that make you feel better. Getting exercise can reduce the pain over time, although in the short run it will feel like it is increasing the pain.
While there is no known cure for fibromyalgia, it is possible to lead a fulfilling and rewarding life with it. Find a good doctor who will help you find the right meds and also think through choices you can make, such as choosing to exercise, that will contribute to the quality of your life.