Fibromyalgia - The Painful Truth
Angela Blackwell
Ms. Dana F. Griffith
Speech 205
October 11, 2011
FIBROMYALGIA: THE PAINFUL TRUTH
INTRODUCTION
Attention getter: “I’m so sick and tired of being sick and tired.” This is a frequently used quote in my home. My mother suffers from a condition called Fibromyalgia and this has become her outlook on life.
Establish Credibility: According to Dr. and Mrs. Wallace, the authors of All About Fibromyalgia, approximately six million Americans suffer from this medical condition.
Establish Self: As the daughter of a sufferer of Fibromyalgia, it is important to me that people understand what this condition is, especially since it could possibly be hereditary
Thesis Statement: Fibromyalgia is not completely understood. For years it has been argued in the medical community whether it is a syndrome or a disease. We are just going to call it a condition.
BODY
Transition Statement: Think back to when you woke up this morning. Did you experience any muscle pain? Was your body stiff? Did you notice any joint pain? This could be because you slept wrong last night or maybe you need a new mattress. Or it might be Fibromyalgia.
I. What is Fibromyalgia
A. Fibromyalgia is a Pain Amplified Syndrome.
1 When the body experiences pain, the substance p is created and sent to the brain to indicate where the pain is, what kind of pain it is and how severe it is.
2 In patients with Fibromyalgia, this substance p is created in excess and makes the brain think that a tap on the shoulder is the equivalent to a slap or a punch.
3 Affects the soft tissue of the body and can cause localized pain or radiating pain or both.
B. Fibromyalgia is wide spread pain with symptoms lasting over three months
1 Hypochondriac? – doctors once said that these victims were making everything up
2 Physiological? – is it the imbalance of brain chemistry?
3 Psychological? – is it brought on by the mindset of the sufferer? (depression, anxiety, or other psychological
Ms. Dana F. Griffith
Speech 205
October 11, 2011
FIBROMYALGIA: THE PAINFUL TRUTH
INTRODUCTION
Attention getter: “I’m so sick and tired of being sick and tired.” This is a frequently used quote in my home. My mother suffers from a condition called Fibromyalgia and this has become her outlook on life.
Establish Credibility: According to Dr. and Mrs. Wallace, the authors of All About Fibromyalgia, approximately six million Americans suffer from this medical condition.
Establish Self: As the daughter of a sufferer of Fibromyalgia, it is important to me that people understand what this condition is, especially since it could possibly be hereditary
Thesis Statement: Fibromyalgia is not completely understood. For years it has been argued in the medical community whether it is a syndrome or a disease. We are just going to call it a condition.
BODY
Transition Statement: Think back to when you woke up this morning. Did you experience any muscle pain? Was your body stiff? Did you notice any joint pain? This could be because you slept wrong last night or maybe you need a new mattress. Or it might be Fibromyalgia.
I. What is Fibromyalgia
A. Fibromyalgia is a Pain Amplified Syndrome.
1 When the body experiences pain, the substance p is created and sent to the brain to indicate where the pain is, what kind of pain it is and how severe it is.
2 In patients with Fibromyalgia, this substance p is created in excess and makes the brain think that a tap on the shoulder is the equivalent to a slap or a punch.
3 Affects the soft tissue of the body and can cause localized pain or radiating pain or both.
B. Fibromyalgia is wide spread pain with symptoms lasting over three months
1 Hypochondriac? – doctors once said that these victims were making everything up
2 Physiological? – is it the imbalance of brain chemistry?
3 Psychological? – is it brought on by the mindset of the sufferer? (depression, anxiety, or other psychological
Cited: Engdahl, Sylvia, ed. Perspectives on Diseases and Disorders: Fibromyalgia. New York: Greenhaven P, 2010. Print. Wallace, Daniel J. M.D., and Janice Brock Wallace. Making Sense of Fibromyalgia. New York: Oxford U P, 1999. Print. Wallace, Daniel J. M.D., and Janice Brock Wallace. All About Fibromyalgia. New York: Oxford U P, 2002. Print.