Fibromyalgia

[veetach]

What are your opinions, nurses? Is Fibromyalgia a justified condition or just a basket term ? I am interested in your feedback. It seems like we see a large number of patients (usually women) with "fibromyalgia" and the numbers are getting larger and larger.

I even had a patient tell me that fibromyalgia patients were predisposed to trigeminal neuralgia.

[erinbethg]

The corrolation between psych meds and this diagnosis is undeniable.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

The corrolation between psych meds and this diagnosis is undeniable.

Meaning it might be caused by pysch meds?

I'm not sure what you're saying here.

[I love my cat!]

The corrolation between psych meds and this diagnosis is undeniable.

From my experience, many medical personnel figure every ailment is 'hysteria' if they can't figure it out on the first shot. Go figure.

Seeing pain and depression do share the SAME pathways, it would totally make sense for a person in pain to be on antidepressants.

I know people with chronic pain (and meaning those that haven't reached the point of being chronically depressed by the pain) that are prescribed antidepressants for the PAIN only, not for a Clinical diagnosis of Depression.

There are more and more studies being done with research pointing to a depression-pain connection. It's still a chicken and egg run around though.

I'll start posting links to the most current research and studies being done r/t to this. Information on this is changing fast!

[I love my cat!]

I could pull out dozens of articles showing fibromyalgia is a farce made up by doctors so that they can treat the symptoms of depression rather then depression itself.

I would love to have those dozen (or more if you have them) links to Medical Journals talking about this! I find this disease fascinating, especially because the Medical Community seems to be split down the middle about it.

You can just post all of the links in this thread because I do not check my PMs or email.

Thanks!!

[erinbethg]

I just find it interesting that there is a corrolation to psych meds and fibromayalgia. I really do think some people are in pain and because it is a mystery, this diagnosis is given. I also think that some people have psychiatric disorders and/or are dependent on pain medication and through their constant going to the doctors for "pain", this diagnosis is also given. In my opinion, it is just too broad of a diagnosis and has such a stigma attached in the ER setting, it is a shame.

[mmutk, BSN, RN, EMT-I]

I just find it interesting that there is a corrolation to psych meds and fibromayalgia. I really do think some people are in pain and because it is a mystery, this diagnosis is given. I also think that some people have psychiatric disorders and/or are dependent on pain medication and through their constant going to the doctors for "pain", this diagnosis is also given. In my opinion, it is just too broad of a diagnosis and has such a stigma attached in the ER setting, it is a shame.

I agree, I am a triage nurse in a busy ED, and I can usually predict them saying "I have fibromyalgia" , right before they say it.

Common indicators.. 2 or more psych meds, Lyrica RX, Pulling up an ED history for the last calendar year usually crashes the system, co-dependant family members also decide to check in for (whatever) while they are here, and finally I have NO PCP but I do attend a pain-clinic.

Nothing personal, it is just a trend that seems to follow 90% of those who offer fibromyalgia as a past medical history.

[dld, ASN, RN]

I would love to have those dozen (or more if you have them) links to Medical Journals talking about this! I find this disease fascinating, especially because the Medical Community seems to be split down the middle about it.

You can just post all of the links in this thread because I do not check my PMs or email.

Thanks!!

Hi, well I would like to thankyou for your interest in finding out more about fibromyalgia. Here is a good web resource for abstracts and clinical research: http://www.fmaware.org . I would like to add that any person trying to treat their own chronic condition with ER visists needs a thorough education from their ER nurse. Don't you just love those opportunities for teaching?:innerconf

[I love my cat!]

Thank you dld.

I am specifically interested in the Medical Journals that NursesMoon14 stated have proven documentation that FM=farce. NM14 said that she "Could pull out dozens of articles showing fibromyalgia is a farce made up by doctors so that they can treat the symptoms of depression rather then depression itself".

This is the documentation that I need to educate myself in. I only seem to find clinical trials/studies supporting and reenforcing the fact that FMS is indeed a real medical syndrome.

Boy, I've noticed that one topic that always seems to get peoples attention is PAIN!

[al7139, ASN, RN]

Interesting post...

I have seen some nurses roll their eyes when they hear the pt has fibromyalgia. I think they assume the pt is a drug seeker.

However, I have an aunt that has fibromyalgia, and I can tell you that her pain is real, and debilitating.

She used to be an energetic, outgoing person. I have watched her deteriorate in the last few years because the pain she experiences rules her life.

When she comes to visit, I see the toll it takes on her just to sit at the dinner table with us. She has lost weight (she looks anorexic), and sometimes can barely stand or walk. It is so sad to see.

There may be people that use it as a reason to get drugs, but it is a real condition, and for the person experiencing it, the pain is excruciating.

Please give them the benefit of the doubt! You wouldn't wish this degree of suffering on anyone!

Amy

[dld, ASN, RN]

Thank you dld.

I am specifically interested in the Medical Journals that NursesMoon14 stated have proven documentation that FM=farce. NM14 said that she "Could pull out dozens of articles showing fibromyalgia is a farce made up by doctors so that they can treat the symptoms of depression rather then depression itself".

This is the documentation that I need to educate myself in. I only seem to find clinical trials/studies supporting and reenforcing the fact that FMS is indeed a real medical syndrome.

Boy, I've noticed that one topic that always seems to get peoples attention is PAIN!

Sorry I don't think you will get reliable research on disproving FM. No one would pay for that research. Too bad there are just as many Primary MD's who disbelieve a pt't pain.

I have had FM since 1994. The scariest times I had was the 7 years I spent in pain and fatigued because I could not get a diagnosis. I was thinking I had lupus with my high ANA, but that resolved and the pain stayed. I thought I was really going crazy. I was so relieved to know that the pain wasn't anything to worry about. I did not have to worry, No harmful tissue damage was occuring. But as you get older and new pains come about, the question always lingers, Do I need to get this checked out? Or should I just ignore it ?

I don't take pain pills, other than the occassional tylenol. My pain is usually a 3-4 at all times, and I don't know what it is like to be pain free. Anti-depressants, even more specifically the dual reputake inhibitors help in FM, because there is a measureable lack of serotonin and norephinerine in the FM pt's CSF. This is an invasive test of no use because the pressure point test is as accurate and not invasive. [[/u]

For me I would not go to the ER just for FM pain. It gets better on its own. Narcotics are addictive- so naturally - those addicted will seek it any way they can. I think it is just better to avoid the narcotics altogether with FM. Lifestyle changes, SSRIs, muscle relaxants, daily exercise are:twocents: the way to go.

[I love my cat!]

Here is a very informative website related to pain.

Pain management

Some excellent information on Fibromyalgia. I like the way they explain what is believed to be the causes the pain.

Why it Happens

It is interesting that it is 10x more common in women and more prevalent in Caucasians. Syndromes and diseases can be gender/race specific. Look at Sickle Cell Anemia or Tay-Sachs Disease.

[dld, ASN, RN]

Here is a very informative website related to pain.

Pain management

Some excellent information on Fibromyalgia. I like the way they explain what is believed to be the causes the pain.

Why it Happens

It is interesting that it is 10x more common in women and more prevalent in Caucasians. Syndromes and diseases can be gender/race specific. Look at Sickle Cell Anemia or Tay-Sachs Disease.

Thanks for sharing those great web cites! Well said and simple too.