Fibromyalgia
What is it?
Suffers of fibromyalgia may look well on the outside, but what they experience inside may be the complete opposite. Fibromyalgia is a 'rheumatic' disorder which affects muscles, tendons and ligaments rather than the joints. The aching can be all over the body, although some sufferers may experience specific pain in certain common areas such as the elbows, shoulders, chest and knees. Despite the tissues not suffering long-lasting damage, the sufferer may experience significant discomfort for months or even years. People with fibromyalgia often describe as a throbbing, aching, stabbing or shooting pain. They may also become hypersensitive to pain, with even the slightest touch being is painful, and lingering longer than expected. Although this may not be a visible or obvious condition, it can impact on a sufferer’s quality of life significantly, affecting their sleep, appetite, energy levels, concentration levels as well as their physical and emotional well being.
Cause and Cure?
The cause for fibromyalgia is unknown. Approximately one in 50 people develop fibromyalgia. The majority of those affected are women, although men and children can also be affected.
Although currently there is no known cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments and lifestyle changes that can help make the condition more manageable.
- painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication: can be used for pain management Stronger painkillers such codeine can be prescribed by a GP if over the counter analgesics such as paracetomal or ibuprofen do not help.
- antidepressants: to help with emotional effects of having fibromyalgia
- Physiotherapy: a programme of gentle exercise and stretching to help maintain muscle tone, reduce pain and stiffness, lift mood, and boost energy levels
- complementary therapies: relaxation therapy, massage, acupuncture and osteopathic manipulation and stress management may also be beneficial
- A splint or neck collar can be used for short periods to obtain relief – prolonged use may cause stiffness and muscle weakness.
- Sleeping pills can be effective, by improving sleep and breaking the vicious cycle of sleep disturbance and pain.
Although currently there is no known cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments and lifestyle changes that can help make the condition more manageable.
- painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication: can be used for pain management Stronger painkillers such codeine can be prescribed by a GP if over the counter analgesics such as paracetomal or ibuprofen do not help.
- antidepressants: to help with emotional effects of having fibromyalgia
- Physiotherapy: a programme of gentle exercise and stretching to help maintain muscle tone, reduce pain and stiffness, lift mood, and boost energy levels
- complementary therapies: relaxation therapy, massage, acupuncture and osteopathic manipulation and stress management may also be beneficial
- A splint or neck collar can be used for short periods to obtain relief – prolonged use may cause stiffness and muscle weakness.
- Sleeping pills can be effective, by improving sleep and breaking the vicious cycle of sleep disturbance and pain.
Famous people with fibromyalgia
Florence Nightingale
“There is no part of my life, upon which I can look back without pain”
Florence Nightingale was probably one of the most famous people of the Victorian period. Nightingale was an English army nurse during the Crimean War (1854-1856) who was a pioneer in the International Red Cross Movement. It is thought she developed fibromyalgia after working on the front lines. Although she helped to develop modern nursing, by 1896, she had became so unwell herself that she was bedridden for much of her life until her death in 1910. She is believed to have had what is now known as fibromyalgia. Nightingale also appeared to suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome and her birthday (12 May 1820) is now celebrated as International CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome ) and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.
Florence Nightingale was probably one of the most famous people of the Victorian period. Nightingale was an English army nurse during the Crimean War (1854-1856) who was a pioneer in the International Red Cross Movement. It is thought she developed fibromyalgia after working on the front lines. Although she helped to develop modern nursing, by 1896, she had became so unwell herself that she was bedridden for much of her life until her death in 1910. She is believed to have had what is now known as fibromyalgia. Nightingale also appeared to suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome and her birthday (12 May 1820) is now celebrated as International CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome ) and Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.
Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin, famous for his evolution theory is another person from history who was afflicted by what is now recognised as Fibromyalgia. He suffered from pains, fatigue, abdominal troubles, headaches, insomnia and anxiety which are all common symptoms of the condition
Sinead O’Connor
Sinead O’Connor is a famous Irish singer/songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with the song “nothing compares to you.” Sinead suffers from fibromyalgia and it debilitated and affected her so significantly that it led to her early retirement from the music industry.
Susan Flannery
Susan Flannery is a New Jersey-based actress from the hit TV soap opera “Bold and the Beautiful”. In 2007, Susan had to take time off filming, in an attempt to treat her ongoing battle with fibromyalgia. Despite the condition being chronic and ongoing, Susan returned to set soon after and continued to work on the show, despite her incapacitating condition.
More Information
http://ukfibromyalgia.com/
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/fibromyalgia.htm
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyalgia/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org/
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/fibromyalgia/p/historyfm.htm
http://www.fms-help.com/tips.htm
http://womenandfibromyalgia.com
http://www.fibromyalgiadietandtreatment.com
http://cure4fibromyalgia.org/fibro
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/fibromyalgia1.shtml
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/fibromyalgia.htm
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyalgia/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org/
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/fibromyalgia/p/historyfm.htm
http://www.fms-help.com/tips.htm
http://womenandfibromyalgia.com
http://www.fibromyalgiadietandtreatment.com
http://cure4fibromyalgia.org/fibro
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/fibromyalgia1.shtml