Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia…an invisible syndrome!
Fibromyalgia is a mysterious ailment that influences all facets of its sufferer’s life. It hasn’t been that long ago when those receiving a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia were ridiculed, and the doctors doing the diagnosing were criticized. There was a perception that Fibromyalgia was a ‘waste basket’ diagnosis; given when no other explanation could be provided. It is for those, who remain attached to this perception, to which I write. Do you believe Fibromyalgia is over diagnosed? Do you believe people with this condition exaggerate their pain? Do you think their symptoms/pain is all in their head? Are these people simply hypochondriacs? Do you wonder if their pain is an excuse to obtain prescription narcotics? If so, you are not alone! At present this perception is still shared by many doctors refusing to recognize Fibromyalgia as a genuine ailment worthy of treatment and continued research. My hope is that by the conclusion of this essay you will have a different view of Fibromyalgia. My goal is to provide you with enough information to see this medical mystery from a new perspective.
I became pregnant with my first child at the age of 28, and up until that time was relatively healthy. This pregnancy wreaked havoc on my body, and serious complications resulted in an emergency C-section at 30 weeks gestation. After this birth I began experiencing all over body aches, joint stiffness, and I consistently felt like I needed to sleep. I had my second child four years after the first (also via C-section), and my body has never been the same since. I remember thinking that at my age I SHOULD NOT feel like I am eighty years old. I continuously felt as though I had the flu, my skin hurt, and most days my body felt like it had been run over by a MAC truck. Each morning I would maneuver out of bed, my limbs like brittle twigs that would snap with the slightest bend. It was increasingly difficult to care for my infant and soon to be
Fibromyalgia is a mysterious ailment that influences all facets of its sufferer’s life. It hasn’t been that long ago when those receiving a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia were ridiculed, and the doctors doing the diagnosing were criticized. There was a perception that Fibromyalgia was a ‘waste basket’ diagnosis; given when no other explanation could be provided. It is for those, who remain attached to this perception, to which I write. Do you believe Fibromyalgia is over diagnosed? Do you believe people with this condition exaggerate their pain? Do you think their symptoms/pain is all in their head? Are these people simply hypochondriacs? Do you wonder if their pain is an excuse to obtain prescription narcotics? If so, you are not alone! At present this perception is still shared by many doctors refusing to recognize Fibromyalgia as a genuine ailment worthy of treatment and continued research. My hope is that by the conclusion of this essay you will have a different view of Fibromyalgia. My goal is to provide you with enough information to see this medical mystery from a new perspective.
I became pregnant with my first child at the age of 28, and up until that time was relatively healthy. This pregnancy wreaked havoc on my body, and serious complications resulted in an emergency C-section at 30 weeks gestation. After this birth I began experiencing all over body aches, joint stiffness, and I consistently felt like I needed to sleep. I had my second child four years after the first (also via C-section), and my body has never been the same since. I remember thinking that at my age I SHOULD NOT feel like I am eighty years old. I continuously felt as though I had the flu, my skin hurt, and most days my body felt like it had been run over by a MAC truck. Each morning I would maneuver out of bed, my limbs like brittle twigs that would snap with the slightest bend. It was increasingly difficult to care for my infant and soon to be
Cited: Barrett, Deborah A. "What is Fibromyalgia?" 2000. Pain Tracking. 2 December 2011 <http://www.paintracking.com/whatisfms.html>. Bennett, Robert M. "Science of Fibromyalgia." n.d. National Fibromyalgia Association. 16 November 2011 <http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServerccdf.html?pagename=fibromyalgia_science>. Fabiola, Groshan. "Fibromyalgia Information: Is Fibromyalgia a Psychosomatic Disorder." n.d. Fibromyalgia. 20 November 2011 <http://www.efibromyalgia.com/FibromyalgiaInfo/2.php>. FibroCenter. History of Fibromyalgia. n.d. 16 November 2011 <http://www.fibrocenter.com/fibromyalgia-disease.aspx>. Nagy, Diana Karol. The History of Fibromyalgia. 2003. National Fibromyalgia Association. Prevalence. n.d. 17 November 2011 <http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServera6cc.html?pagename=fibromyalgia_affected>. NIAMS. "NIAMS Health Info: Fibromyalgia." July 2011. National Institute of Arthritis and Muscoloskeletal and Skin Diseases. 17 November 2011 <http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Fibromyalgia/default.asp>. Thorson, Kristin. "Latest News." 29 July 2011. Fibromyalgia Network. 30 November 2011 <http://www.fmnetnews.com/latest-news/disease-severity-markers>.