Treatments

Fibromyalgia and Nutrient Deficiencies

~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

Fibro Cloud

From my own experience with fibromyalgia, I know how frustrating the generality of some symptoms can be. Fatigue? Chronic pain? There are so many things that cause these things, and there are so many things out there claiming to be the solution.

But, before running off for more medications or topicals, it’s a good idea to check if your body is low on important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients since that could be contributing to your fibromyalgia symptoms.

How Vitamins and Minerals Interact With the Body

Nutrients like vitamins and minerals are a necessity for the body. Without them, the body can’t function properly. Not getting enough nutrients leads to diseases, weakened body systems, and just overall not feeling your best. And the body can’t produce enough of them on its own.

So it’s up to us to ensure our bodies are getting the nutrients they need.

How Common are Deficiencies?

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are more common than most people think, even in developed countries like the United States where foods and products with these essentials are easy to find. Part of the reason for this is people not monitoring their diet or eating unhealthily.

You can find more information about nutrient levels in the U.S. population at https://www.cdc.gov/nutritionreport/.

Vitamin D

Nicknamed the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D is produced when the body interacts with sunlight. Vitamin D and calcium work together to strengthen bones, keeping the skeletal system healthy. What does this have to do with fibromyalgia? Well, check out what vitamin D deficiency can do to the body.

Fatigue

Depression

Lowered immunity to getting sick

Bone pain

Bone loss

Slower wound healing

Hair loss

Muscle pain

Some of those symptoms sound familiar? If you have fibromyalgia and are vitamin D deficient, you could be experiencing overlapping symptoms, almost like doubling their impact.

You can increase your vitamin D levels by going outside without sunscreen, eating more eggs and fish, drinking vitamin D enhanced milk, and taking a supplement.

Vitamin B12

B vitamins, especially B12, are known for contributing to energy levels. And I’m sure all of us with fibromyalgia could use more energy in our daily lives. What are the symptoms of B12 deficiency?

Vision loss

Pale skin

Smooth tongue

Weakness

Tiredness

Shortness of breath

Heart palpitations

Loss of appetite, constipation or diarrhea

Tingling, numbness

Trouble walking

Muscle weakness

Depression, behavior changes, or memory loss

Again, some of these symptoms are the same as symptoms you can experience with fibromyalgia.

Foods rich in B12 include meat, eggs, dairy products, and fortified cereals.

Magnesium

Unless you’ve been low on magnesium for a while, you won’t experience many symptoms. However, ongoing magnesium deficiency can lead to the following problems.

Nausea

Vomiting

Little appetite

Weakness

Sleepiness

Muscle spasms (extreme cases)

Headaches

Weakened bones

Nervousness

Stress on your heart

Something else is that not getting enough magnesium compromises your levels of calcium and potassium.

Magnesium is easy to find in foods. It’s found in nuts, whole grains, milk, bananas, and salmon. Also, you can absorb magnesium through the skin if you take a magnesium epsom salt bath.

Coenzyme Q10

This one might not be as familiar to you. Coenzyme Q10 is an enzyme the body naturally produces in the cell. It’s essential for the mitochondria (the power house) of the cell. Low levels of coenzyme Q10 have been found in fibromyalgia patients and contribute to overall fatigue.

Foods like meat, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, fatty fish, oranges, strawberries, legumes, sesame seeds, and pistachios provide CoQ10.

Getting Your Levels Checked

Checking your nutrient levels is easy. You can get blood and urine testing done through your doctor. If your results show you have deficiencies, your doctor can work with you to find the best way for you to up your levels considering your diet, supplements, and interactions with medications you take on a regular basis.

I know how, once you get used to having fibromyalgia, you can start to chalk up all bodily symptoms to the illness, but this just goes to show some of your symptoms might not be. Also, if your symptoms seem to get worse for no reason, it could be related to something like your nutrient levels. So do yourself a favor and look to see if your levels are deficient. It could end up easing your symptoms. And we all want that.

Written By: Kendra

 

https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/vitamins-and-minerals.htm/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms#section8

https://www.webmd.com/diet/vitamin-b12-deficiency-symptoms-causes#2

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/magnesium-test

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coenzyme-q10#section12

 

 

 

The preceding article is from RedOrbit.com and posted here for sharing purposes only. For additional info please visit their website or consult your doctor.

Fibromyalgia and Keratosis

~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

Fibro Cloud

A keratosis is a dark, scaly, unattractive growth on the surface of the skin that typically shows up in your advancing years. It’s a natural part of growing older, as any old, bumpy-nosed witch in a children’s story illustration will attest.

They’re not the kind of thing you look forward to. You don’t hear people say, “I look forward to the day I can kick back and scratch my keratosis bumps.” Frankly, they are warty-looking and embarrassing. And there is a form that is considered pre-cancerous, so you will want to have them checked out when you see them.

But what are they exactly? And can they be treated?

What Is A Keratosis?

Basically, a seborrheic keratosis, generally the more pronounced form, is a growth on the skin that has a waxy, scaly feeling. They’re typically hard and elevated from the skin. They almost look like scabs or moles, but are distinct from these other skin conditions.

The color of these growths varies, ranging from tan to a darker black. And they can also vary in size, growing up to more than an inch across.

Science doesn’t know exactly what causes someone to develop these growths. Evidence shows that it’s not related to sun exposure like freckles or melanomas. They aren’t contagious and seem to become more common as you age. There is a genetic predisposition to having these, so if your relatives have seborrheic keratosis growths, you will be susceptible to having them, too.

To diagnose the condition, a doctor will do a simple examination of the skin and factor in things like your age and family history in order to judge whether it is a keratosis or a more dangerous condition like skin cancer. And to be safe, the doctor may wish to remove a bit of the tissue and examine it in a laboratory.

Is A Keratosis Dangerous?

Unlike melanomas, which are cancerous growths on the skin, seborrheic keratosis are not dangerous. There’s no risk of the growth metastasizing, or becoming skin cancer. But, there are forms of keratosis that can be dangerous.

An actinic keratosis is a generally smaller growth that usually forms on the face or the shoulders. Unlike seborrheic keratosis, which are usually solitary, actinic keratosis most often arrive in clusters of more than one. They’re caused by long term exposure to the sun. The mechanism involves the UV light from the sun’s rays. This part of the light spectrum can eventually damage the DNA inside your cells. DNA serves as a kind of blueprint, guiding your cells on how to replicate themselves.

When UV light damages the DNA, the cells being to replicate damaged versions of themselves. Eventually, these damaged cells can begin to expand rapidly, destroying the other cells of the body. And this can lead to certain forms of skin cancer.

In the early stages, these actinic growths are usually small and rough, resembling very flat warts. Over time, they can grow enough to be visible on the skin. Usually, they grow very slowly, so you may not notice any symptoms at first. But eventually, the growths may begin to feel itchy or burn.

Bottom Line: If you have a normal, age-related keratosis, there’s really no reason to worry. But that doesn’t mean that you might not want to remove them. Depending on the size and location, a seborrheic keratosis can make you selfconscious about your appearance.

The good news is that they are generally pretty easy to remove.

How Can You Treat Them?

The most important thing is to not pick or scratch at these growths, as they often bleed and the wound can become infected. If you want to remove a growth, it’s best to see a doctor. There are few different things that a doctor can do to remove them safely and easily.

The first is something called cryosurgery. Essentially, the doctor will take a container of liquid nitrogen and dip a long cotton swab inside. They will then press the swab against the growth. The extreme cold will destroy the tissue inside the growth. With time, it should blister and fall off.

Cryosurgery isn’t always effective, and it may sting a bit. But it is usually a good way to remove smaller growths.

For larger growths, the doctor may use electrocautery. In this procedure, the doctor takes a device with a long metal rod and passes electricity through it. The electricity heats the metal which the doctor then uses to burn away the growth on the skin. The heat of the metal instantly seals the wound, which prevents bleeding. But if done incorrectly, it can lead to scarring.

Laser treatment (ablation) is also available to remove a keratosis growth.

It’s always best to make sure that you see a trained dermatologist for these kinds of procedures.

References:

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/bumps-and-growths/seborrheic-keratoses

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seborrheic-keratosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353882

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seborrheic-keratosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353878

https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/actinic-keratosis

 

 

The preceding article is from RedOrbit.com and posted here for sharing purposes only. For additional info please visit their website or consult your doctor.

Fibromyalgia and CBD

~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

Fibro Cloud

Almost every city in America has at least a shop or two that sells CBD products. You may have wondered what these stores are about and whether CBD is the same thing as marijuana. Products containing CBD are being touted as the magic cure for everything from depression to chronic pain. But can CBD help fibromyalgia, and is it safe? Read on for more details.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a chemical compound derived from cannabis. It’s a common misconception that CBD is the same as marijuana. This is understandable because cannabis is another name for marijuana. However, CBD is not the same as marijuana because the psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), is removed. It is not possible to get “high” from CBD.

Additionally, the source of CBD depends on the legality of marijuana in each individual state. In states where marijuana is legal, CBD oil may be extracted from the marijuana plant. But CBD oil derived from the hemp category of cannabis is legal in all 50 states.

CBD may be consumed in oil form, edible gummy candies, capsules, topical creams, or vaporized (also called vaping.)

What are the Claims about CBD?

Even though CBD does not contain the psychoactive chemicals in marijuana, some people believe that CBD products are beneficial. Many studies have already shown the potential benefits of medical marijuana. Some proponents believe that CBD is an essential component of cannabis that offers pain relief.

Proponents claim that CBD oil has the following benefits:

  • Pain relief
  • Anti-anxiety effects
  • Less insomnia and improved sleep quality
  • Improved digestion and decreased nausea
  • Migraine relief
  • Relief of irritable bowel syndrome

Many of the same benefits attributed to medical marijuana are also attributed to CBD since CBD is one of the components of marijuana. While marijuana is not legal in every state, many people find that the CBD component helps them to feel better.

Is CBD Safe?

Until a bill passed in early 2019, CBD products were not regulated. It was kind of like the Wild West, where anyone could sell something labeled “CBD” without being held to certain standards. Now that hemp is legal in all 50 states, CBD will be regulated. But until that takes full effect, CBD products are not legal for sale across state lines.

There has only been limited research about the safety of CBD. So far, no major health concerns are associated with the products’ use, although more research needs to be done. However, some initial studies suggest that vaping anything (including CBD) may cause lung damage and allergic reactions. People with asthma and other respiratory disorders should not vape CBD or other liquids.

Will CBD Help Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a complex illness with no known cause nor cure. We don’t really know what will help it. However, many people say that CBD is a useful item to have in your toolbox of managing the disease.

One study conducted in 2006 supports the use of CBD in conjunction with THC. This study found that medical marijuana significantly reduced pain. Another study in 2016 found that some people with fibromyalgia may suffer from a lack of endocannabinoids—meaning that CBD could provide pain relief by providing a missing substance.

CBD may help provide symptom relief for fibromyalgia. However, if you decide to try it, make sure to look for more reputable products and brands.

 

 

The preceding article is from RedOrbit.com and posted here for sharing purposes only. For additional info please visit their website or consult your doctor.

Addison’s Disease and Hyperpigmentation

~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

Fibro Cloud

Addison’s disease, is a condition of the adrenal glands that occurs when they do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. It is considered an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks your own organs or tissues, but it is not generally life threatening, although a related form of  Addison’s disease called Addisonian Crisis can be.

Hyperpigmentation, which is a darkening of the skin, generally seen as normal aging or liver spots, is a symptom of Addison’s disease, so the two conditions are tied together.

WHAT IS ADDISON’S DISEASE?

As mentioned, Addison’s disease is an autoimmune disease caused by the body’s immune system attacking your own tissue. But unlike other autoimmune diseases, like Lupus, which attack the skin, Addison’s disease attacks the adrenal glands. These adrenal glands, which sit atop your kidneys, play an important role in regulating your hormone system. And when you have Addison’s, the adrenal glands stop functioning properly and don’t produce a hormone called cortisol.

Cortisol is a stress hormone, helping the body process the effects of stress. Cortisol helps process proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. And it helps your body regulate inflammation. Finally, stress hormones help your kidneys regulate the amount of fluids and salts in your body.

But because Addison’s interferes with the production of stress hormones, it can lead to symptoms like:

  • Fatigue
  • Decreased appetite.
  • Low blood Pressure
  • Salt Craving
  • Nausea
  • Pain in the abdomen.
  • Muscle and joint pain.
  • Depression.
  • Hyperpigmentation.

ADDISONIAN CRISIS

Addison’s often develops slowly and it’s often years before the symptoms become truly noticeable. And while the gradual form of the condition reveals itself long before anything life-threatening develops, people can have a sudden onset of the condition with a experience called an Addisonian crisis. This situation can occur after something like a car accident if your body suddenly stops all production of adrenaline or cortisol.

An Addisonian Crisis requires immediate medical treatment, usually in the form of cortisol injections. In contrast, people with standard Addison’s disease often notice something is wrong by the early onset of hyperpigmentation.

ADDISON’S DISEASE AND HYPERPIGMENTATION

The patches usually occur on the areas of the body that are most frequently exposed to the sun like the elbows, forearms, hands and face. But they can also affect the gums, which results in noticeably dark skin around the teeth. And it can develop inside the nail beds or vaginal lips.

Hyperpigmentation is often one of the first signs that someone is suffering from Addison’s disease. And it’s usually one of the first things a doctor will look for when trying to make a diagnosis of Addison’s.

HOW CAN YOU TREAT IT

To diagnosis Addison’s, doctors look for signs like skin-darkening, a lower level of body hair caused by a lack of androgen hormones, and evidence of skin conditions like dryness.

There are a few different things that doctors do to treat the condition. The first step is replacement hormone therapy to make up for the fact that your adrenal glands aren’t producing the right amounts of cortisol. Usually, this treatment simply involves regular injections of these hormones.

In addition, many forms of treatment aim to limit the inflammation that is common with any autoimmune condition. Corticosteroids are a type of hormone that your body produces naturally in response to inflammation. But doctors can also prescribe synthetic forms of corticosteroid to help your body’s natural response.

But doctors often prescribe basic, over-the-counter NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin and ibuprofen. These drugs help treat inflammation by blocking the production of a specific enzyme that leads to inflammation.

Finally, doctors can prescribe an immunosuppressant drug. Immunosuppressants work by weakening the activity of the immune system. This means that the immune system produces fewer of the antibodies that attack your tissue and cause inflammation.

The good news is that Addison’s is very treatable. And with regular treatment, hyperpigmentation usually goes away within a few months. So, let us know. Do you have Addison’s? Did you experience changes in your skin? What did you do to treat it? Let us know in the comments.

RESOURCES:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15095-addisons-disease

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201301/cortisol-why-the-stress-hormone-is-public-enemy-no-1

https://www.healthline.com/health/immunosuppressant-drugs

http://www.medicinenet.com/corticosteroids-oral/article.htm

https://www.aocd.org/page/Hyperpigmentation

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441933/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15095-addisons-disease

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441933/

 

The preceding article is from RedOrbit.com and posted here for sharing purposes only. For additional info please visit their website or consult your doctor.

Fibromyalgia and Natural Oils

~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

Fibro Cloud

It’s frustrating to find effective ways to treat the many symptoms of fibromyalgia, especially those chronic symptoms that fibromyalgia sufferers are always looking for relief from.

If you’re sick of trying out different medications for chronic pain and fatigue, maybe essential oils can work for you.

Beginnings of Essential Oils

While it’s true that essential oils seem like a fad that picked up over the past couple of years, their use actually goes back to 2500-3000 B.C. Evidence of them can be found in ancient Egypt, China, and India.

How to Use Essential Oils

If you’ve never used essential oils before, it can be confusing about where to start or how to use them. It’s actually pretty easy to add oils to your life. Here are some ways to use them.

Diffuser

One of the easiest ways to add essential oils to your routine is to use a diffuser. Place some water in the diffuser and then add a few drops of whatever oil you want.

Topical Application 

Many oils are most effective when applied to the skin, especially for the areas that are in pain. Just be careful. Some oils need to be mixed with a carrier oil before they can be placed directly on the skin. Almond and coconut are the most common carrier oils.

Baths

Hot baths are already helpful for relieving pain and stress. You can amplify that effect by adding drops of essential oils to your bath water.

Oils for Fibromyalgia

Below are a few essential oils that can be used to help treat two of fibromyalgia’s main symptoms: chronic pain and chronic fatigue.

Also, remember to always check with your doctor before trying new treatment options.

Oils to Ease Pain

Peppermint

We’re not strangers to peppermint. It’s often used as a flavoring in gum and candy. There’s even peppermint tea and toothpaste. As an oil, peppermint helps muscle and joint pain as well as headaches.

Peppermint has analgesic and muscle relaxant properties. It soothes and cools when applied to the hurting area of the body—you will need a carrier oil for topical use—and is also effective in the bath.

It aids headache relief by improving blood circulation.

Plus, an added bonus, peppermint is invigorating and can help keep you alert.

CBD (Marijuana)

CBD oil is all over the news lately. According to many, it has helped a lot with their fibromyalgia pain when applied topically. 

Cannabidiol oil is a different chemical than the source of marijuana that gives people a “high”, which is known as THC. Currently, it isn’t legal in all 50 states.

It’s believed that CBD oil works to help relieve pain by affecting receptors in your brain. This helps with inflammatory and chronic pain.

There are still many outspoken critics of this oil right now, but research looks promising.

Ginger

Ginger has shown useful as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic. It also improves circulation like peppermint.

Zingibain can be found in ginger and is responsible for that anti-inflammation ability.

Pain like headaches, cramps, muscle, and joint pain is decreased from ginger use.

Bonus: Ginger has many other health properties as well like being an antioxidant, an antiseptic, and a nausea aid.

Oils to Help Relaxation or Sleep

Lavender

Lavender is famous for its ability to help people relax. Studies have shown its ability to act as a sedative and protect the nervous system.

Lavender is also one of the essential oils that doesn’t necessitate a carrier oil in order to apply to the skin.

Studies also indicate lavender may help with pain!

Chamomile

Chamomile is often made as tea to aid sleep, but it can also be used in oil form.

Studies note the reduction of stress-caused plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone levels when people inhale chamomile. This helps create a relaxed feeling, making it easier to sleep.

Diluted chamomile also works well topically and in the bath.

Citruses

Citrus family oils have either a relaxing or invigorating effect, depending on the individual.

Lemon balm and Bergamot can help with anxiety. Lemon balm is most effective in a capsule instead of oil, but some report inhaling it helps them. Bergamot was used in a study, and the results showed a decrease in the participants’ stress.

A Possible Aid

This is by no means an exhaustive list of essential oils that can help with pain, fatigue, or other fibromyalgia symptoms, but these oils are a good place to start if you’re interested.

Fibromyalgia is a complicated health condition because of all its symptoms and the uncertainty of what causes it. That’s partly why it can be difficult to find ways to alleviate symptoms, but research and individual testimonies show that essential oils can help sufferers cope with the illness. So, maybe one or some of these oils could be what you’re looking for.

 

Sources

https://essentialoilsacademy.com/history/
https://www.painpathways.org/essential-oils/
https://www.painpathways.org/aromatherapy-for-chronic-pain/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/
http://info.achs.edu/blog/depression-and-anxiety-can-essential-oils-help

 

The preceding article is from RedOrbit.com and posted here for sharing purposes only. For additional info please visit their website or consult your doctor.

Fibromyalgia & Peripheral Neuropathy

~ Felicia Denise ~ 1 Comment

Fibro Cloud

Anyone ever heard of – or been diagnosed with small nerve fiber neuropathy? I’ve heard so many screwball therapies and “cures” about and for FM and been misdiagnosed so many times, all the chatter usually falls by the wayside with me. My sister got my attention with small nerve fiber neuropathy, however, because it’s treatable!  It can also be diagnosed with ONE test… in a doctor’s office! I am a little leery of any test which has the word “punch” in the name (skin punch test). But at this point, nothing is off the table.

Read the article below and check with your doctor. Maybe… just maybe, your Fibromyalgia isn’t Fibromyalgia.

(My sister has Type II diabetes but received a diagnosis for Fibromyalgia long before the onset of diabetes. Her skin punch test was negative for small nerve fiber neuropathy. Not encouraging because of genetics, but I still plan to give it a shot.)

From FibromyalgiaTreating.com

Have you ever heard of peripheral neuropathy? If you don’t deal with chronic pain conditions, odds are good that you haven’t encountered this particular piece of medical jargon. But if you have a condition like fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy might actually play a significant role in your disease and it’s symptoms.

In fact, some people have even suggested that it might be at the root of fibromyalgia. But what exactly is peripheral neuropathy? And how does it relate to fibromyalgia?

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is, to break the word down,  a disorder (pathy) related to the nerves (neuro). And peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the nerves that extends throughout the peripheries of the body (so beyond the brain, basically).  And since the nerves connect the body and the brain and are responsible for physical sensations like pain, a breakdown in this connection can lead to serious problems.

The nerves transmit signals from the skin to the brain, which the brain then interprets and sends back down the nerves. This is why you feel pain in your hand when you touch a hot stove. You’re not actually feeling pain in your hand, the sensation of pain is coming from your brain. But your brain relies on the signals from your hand to know that you are being injured and it signals that your hand is hurting as you pull it away. This system helps us avoid serious injuries.

But when it comes to people dealing with nerve pain conditions, those signals get crossed, and your brain starts triggering pain signals without any actual injury.

And there are many different kinds of this condition depending on where in the body they occur and how severe they are but there are two main categories: mononeuropathy and polyneuropathy.

Mononeuropathy means that only a single nerve connection is damaged. Injuries are the most common cause of mononeuropathy. A good example is carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused when a repetitive stress injury in the hands and wrist damages the nerves in the hand. Polyneuropathy occurs when several nerve connections are damaged. Diabetes is a good example.

And in all forms of neuropathy. The damaged nerves cause pain, numbness, and tingling. And the symptoms can range from a minor annoyance to very severe.

Neuropathy and Fibromyalgia

The idea of pain with no obvious cause probably sounds familiar to people who suffer from fibromyalgia. And nerve damage might play a much larger role in the condition than you suspect. A study conducted by a Harvard-affiliated hospital in Massachusetts found that almost half of the fibromyalgia patients in the study had evidence of something called small nerve fiber neuropathy.

Small nerve fiber neuropathy is basically nerve pain caused by damage to some of the small nerves that carry pain and touch signals from the skin to the brain.  As that study demonstrated, half of all fibromyalgia patients have the condition. And many also have less of these small nerve fibers than they should.

This implies that the root of fibromyalgia pain might actually be neuropathy in some patients. Their brains are sending pain signals even though there’s no actual damage. This would explain the mystery pain, but there are a few problems with presenting neuropathy as a comprehensive explanation of fibromyalgia.

To begin with, not all patients with fibromyalgia have small nerve fiber neuropathy. So, this theory doesn’t explain what’s going on in those patients. And it doesn’t explain why these patients are developing neuropathy in the first place

But the fact that half of all fibromyalgia patients have small nerve fiber neuropathy implies that something is going on. Some people have suggested that what is actually going on is that a significant portion of people who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia are actually suffering from small nerve fiber neuropathy, but because the symptoms are so similar, it’s difficult to tell them apart.

It’s an interesting theory, and because small fiber neuropathy is treatable, it could shift the way we treat fibromyalgia. And it is especially interesting because, if true, it might mean that fibromyalgia is actually not a single condition but a wide spectrum of neuropathic conditions all presenting similar symptoms. Luckily, there is a simple test that you can get to determine if you have small fiber neuropathy called a “punch biopsy.”

So if you have fibromyalgia, it may be worth looking into getting this test, because it might mean having access to new treatment options. And this new way of looking at fibromyalgia may even help us steer research to a breakthrough. At the moment, this remains a theory, but it is an interesting one.

The preceding article is posted here for sharing purposes only. For additional information, please visit RedOrbit.com.

Fibromyalgia & the Burning Sensation

~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

Fibro Cloud

It’s the fibromyalgia burning sensation: Do you ever feel like your bones are on fire? What about the top of your leg or your back, maybe even under the skin? Some fibromyalgia patients feel like lava is being pumped through their veins rather than blood. You might even have that burning sensation in your brain, which is interesting in itself since the brain has no pain receptors. Still others feel like their stomach, tendons, or ligaments are burning right inside their body. For many with fibromyalgia, the searing pain is so severe that they cry and scream in pain. And if that wasn’t enough, there’s nothing to show for it! For example, when my skin feels like it’s on fire, it’s not even red. Does that happen to you? Does it make you angry? I mean, if I’m going to suffer I would really like a bruise, a mark, redness…. something as some sort of evidence at the very least. Because we all know that it’s really hard to get people to believe that something is wrong when they can’t see a single problem on your body.

What in the World is Going On?

According to medical experts, “Research suggests that the pain associated with fibromyalgia is caused by a “glitch” in the way the body processes pain. This glitch results in a hypersensitivity to stimuli that normally are not painful. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), research has shown that people with fibromyalgia have reduced blood flow to parts of the brain that normally help the body deal with pain.”

The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association puts it perfectly: “Fibromyalgia pain has no boundaries.” They add at the “body-wide symptoms are greatly magnified by malfunctions in the way the nervous system processes pain.” This coincides with the previously mentioned research regarding a “glitch” in the system, so in this context it makes sense the body will sometimes register stimuli as a burning feeling.

The burning that fibromyalgia patients often experience is sometimes associated with allodynia, which is a painful sensation caused by touch and frequently associated with migraine headaches. However, many fibro patients do not have to experience being touched in order to feel the burn that seems to come from within and sometimes on the surface. So while allodynia may be the situation for some with fibromyalgia, it does not explain the burning sensation across the board. To be fair, however, there seems to be almost nothing that explains any fibromyalgia symptom across the board. Thus, the great mystery surrounding this strange affliction.

Can Anything Be Done About It?

Here are some examples of what fellow patients say works for them to ease the fibromyalgia  burning sensation:

  • Massage therapy – A typical feature of fibromyalgia is the inability to relax the muscles. Often our muscles are tense and we don’t even know it. This leads to a build-up of lactic acid which can also be a cause of the burning sensation, especially in the muscles. A highly skilled massage therapist (you may even consider a medical massage therapist) who understands fibromyalgia can work with you weekly or bi-weekly to release the acid. For some patients this reduces and even removes the burning sensation entirely.
  • Cortisone shots – Administered by a healthcare practitioner, this is a temporary relief and does not apply to all situations of burning sensations.
  • Gabapentin – Prescription medication used to treat pain caused by shingles.
  • Heat therapy – It sounds counter-intuitive but fibro patients experiencing a burning sensation often report that heat therapy options such as hot tubs and electric blankets provide a great deal of relief.
  • Supplements – Although the exact cause of the burning feeling is unknown, some patients appear to be nutritionally deficient, which can be a leading cause of many fibromyalgia symptoms. Look for a high-quality (preferably whole foods) vitamin in addition to a high dosage of Vitamin D and a steady dose of magnesium (due to our commercial agricultural practices, almost everyone in North America is magnesium deficient which causes a litany of symptoms both related and unrelated to fibromyalgia.)
  • Lidocaine patches – These actually fall into the category of local anesthetics. Even though there are versions of them available over-the-counter, for our purposes of relieving the burning sensations, you’ll want to get a prescription from your doctor. In fact, they are often used to relieve nerve pain after shingles.
  • Antihistamines – Benadryl and Zyrtec have been reported as effective for relieving the burning pain in fibromyalgia patients.
  • Decreasing stress – You’ve heard it a thousand times because it’s true. Finding ways to relieve stress and cope with stressors can do wonders for many fibromyalgia symptoms, including the strange burning.

Whatever the source of the fibromyalgia burning sensation, it sucks. Have you found anything that relieves it for you? Tell us. In fact, tell us the things you’ve tried that haven’t worked too. Because something will always work for someone and anything we can do to help each other is more than welcome!

 

The preceding article is from RedOrbit.com and posted here for sharing purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended.

Fibromyalgia & Effective Medications

~ Felicia Denise ~ Leave a comment

Fibro Cloud

Fibromyalgia is an incredibly difficult condition to treat. Most people with fibromyalgia go through a great ordeal trying to get both diagnosis and treatment. Finding the right medication can be a challenge as well because there are so many possible options. Here’s a list of some of the most commonly prescribed medications for fibromyalgia and which are most often effective.

FIBROMYALGIA MEDICATION LIST

LYRICA

Lyrica is the brand name of the drug pregabalin. It was the first drug ever approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating fibromyalgia. Lyrica works by blocking calcium channels in the body. This means it is also sometimes useful in treating epilepsy. When Lyrica is effective in treating fibromyalgia, it reduces pain, alleviates anxiety, and can make you feel calm and relaxed.

However, like most medications, it also has potential negative side effects. The most common side effects of Lyrica include the following:

  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Increased hunger and weight gain
  • Confusion
  • Vision changes

As the first medication specifically approved for treating fibromyalgia, this is often the first treatment that may be prescribed for you.

SAVELLA

Savella is the brand name of the drug milnacipran. It is an FDA-approved fibromyalgia medication. Savella is in the class of drugs called selective serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, or SNRI. This class of medication is often prescribed as an antidepressant, but that does not imply that fibromyalgia and depression have similar causes. When Savella is working well to treat fibromyalgia, it reduces body aches and pain and decreases muscle tension.

The potential negative side effects of Savella include the following:

  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Irritability
  • Increased sweating
  • Higher blood pressure

Many of these side effects will go away or decrease after a few weeks as your body gets adjusted to the medication.

CYMBALTA  

Cymbalta is the brand name of the drug duloxetine. It is also approved for treating fibromyalgia and is in the SNRI class of medications. It is supposed to be very effective in reducing nerve pain and overall physical body aches. As an antidepressant, it may also provide a boost to your mood and improve depression which is common in fibromyalgia.

Negative side effects of Cymbalta can include the following:

  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Decreased libido
  • Increased sweating

These side effects may go away or become less as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, for both Cymbalta and Savella, like other SNRI medications, it’s very important to take the drug at approximately the same time every day. These medications can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, such as “brain zaps,” even an hour or two after a missed dose.

NEURONTIN

Neurontin, the brand name of the drug gabapentin, is often prescribed for fibromyalgia. However, this particular usage of the medication is not FDA-approved and is therefore considered “off label.” Neurontin is actually in the anticonvulsant class of drugs more commonly prescribed for treating epilepsy.

Neurontin is being subject to restricted access in some states, as it has come under scrutiny because of the possibility of dependence. If it is still accessible in your state, expect that your doctor may use closer monitoring if prescribing the drug. Neurontin can cause lightheaded feelings or even a mild “high” feeling. However, it is known to reduce neuropathic pain and physical body aches.

Negative side effects of Neurontin may include the following:

  • Weight gain
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Confusion

Many people with fibromyalgia also suffer from frequent headaches, and they may find that Neurontin is beneficial for that purpose. This drug is often prescribed off label for treating frequent migraines.

ULTRAM

Ultram is the brand name of the drug tramadol. This is another drug commonly prescribed for fibromyalgia. Like Neurontin, Ultram is prescribed off label and is not FDA-approved for treating fibromyalgia. Although it is not approved for treating fibromyalgia, studies did find that it may be effective as a second-line treatment.

Ultram is an atypical pain reliever. It is believed to have similar effects to an opioid medication, although seems to have less potential for addiction. It is also an SNRI medication, but it binds to the opioid receptors in the body and provides relief of moderate to severe pain.

Side effects of Ultram can include nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness.

These are the five most commonly prescribed medications for treating fibromyalgia. However, talk to your doctor about all of your options. If these medications don’t work for you, other drugs may be prescribed off label and may be effective.

 

The preceding article is from RedOrbit.com and posted here for sharing purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended.

Peripheral Neuropathy and Fibromyalgia

~ Felicia Denise ~ 6 Comments

Medical Record

Anyone ever heard of – or been diagnosed with small nerve fiber neuropathy? I’ve heard so many screwball therapies and “cures” about and for FM and been misdiagnosed so many times, all the chatter usually falls by the wayside with me. My sister got my attention with small nerve fiber neuropathy, however, because it’s treatable!  It can also be diagnosed with ONE test… in a doctor’s office! I am a little leery of any test which has the word “punch” in the name (skin punch test). But at this point, nothing is off the table.

Read the article below and check with your doctor. Maybe… just maybe, your Fibromyalgia isn’t Fibromyalgia.

(My sister has Type II diabetes but received a diagnosis for Fibromyalgia long before the onset of diabetes. Her skin punch test was negative for small nerve fiber neuropathy. Not encouraging because of genetics, but I still plan to give it a shot.)

From FibromyalgiaTreating.com

Have you ever heard of peripheral neuropathy? If you don’t deal with chronic pain conditions, odds are good that you haven’t encountered this particular piece of medical jargon. But if you have a condition like fibromyalgia, peripheral neuropathy might actually play a significant role in your disease and it’s symptoms.

In fact, some people have even suggested that it might be at the root of fibromyalgia. But what exactly is peripheral neuropathy? And how does it relate to fibromyalgia?

What Is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Neuropathy is, to break the word down,  a disorder (pathy) related to the nerves (neuro). And peripheral neuropathy is a disorder of the nerves that extends throughout the peripheries of the body (so beyond the brain, basically).  And since the nerves connect the body and the brain and are responsible for physical sensations like pain, a breakdown in this connection can lead to serious problems.

The nerves transmit signals from the skin to the brain, which the brain then interprets and sends back down the nerves. This is why you feel pain in your hand when you touch a hot stove. You’re not actually feeling pain in your hand, the sensation of pain is coming from your brain. But your brain relies on the signals from your hand to know that you are being injured and it signals that your hand is hurting as you pull it away. This system helps us avoid serious injuries.

But when it comes to people dealing with nerve pain conditions, those signals get crossed, and your brain starts triggering pain signals without any actual injury.

And there are many different kinds of this condition depending on where in the body they occur and how severe they are but there are two main categories: mononeuropathy and polyneuropathy.

Mononeuropathy means that only a single nerve connection is damaged. Injuries are the most common cause of mononeuropathy. A good example is carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused when a repetitive stress injury in the hands and wrist damages the nerves in the hand. Polyneuropathy occurs when several nerve connections are damaged. Diabetes is a good example.

And in all forms of neuropathy. The damaged nerves cause pain, numbness, and tingling. And the symptoms can range from a minor annoyance to very severe.

Neuropathy and Fibromyalgia

The idea of pain with no obvious cause probably sounds familiar to people who suffer from fibromyalgia. And nerve damage might play a much larger role in the condition than you suspect. A study conducted by a Harvard-affiliated hospital in Massachusetts found that almost half of the fibromyalgia patients in the study had evidence of something called small nerve fiber neuropathy.

Small nerve fiber neuropathy is basically nerve pain caused by damage to some of the small nerves that carry pain and touch signals from the skin to the brain.  As that study demonstrated, half of all fibromyalgia patients have the condition. And many also have less of these small nerve fibers than they should.

This implies that the root of fibromyalgia pain might actually be neuropathy in some patients. Their brains are sending pain signals even though there’s no actual damage. This would explain the mystery pain, but there are a few problems with presenting neuropathy as a comprehensive explanation of fibromyalgia.

To begin with, not all patients with fibromyalgia have small nerve fiber neuropathy. So, this theory doesn’t explain what’s going on in those patients. And it doesn’t explain why these patients are developing neuropathy in the first place

But the fact that half of all fibromyalgia patients have small nerve fiber neuropathy implies that something is going on. Some people have suggested that what is actually going on is that a significant portion of people who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia are actually suffering from small nerve fiber neuropathy, but because the symptoms are so similar, it’s difficult to tell them apart.

It’s an interesting theory, and because small fiber neuropathy is treatable, it could shift the way we treat fibromyalgia. And it is especially interesting because, if true, it might mean that fibromyalgia is actually not a single condition but a wide spectrum of neuropathic conditions all presenting similar symptoms. Luckily, there is a simple test that you can get to determine if you have small fiber neuropathy called a “punch biopsy.”

So if you have fibromyalgia, it may be worth looking into getting this test, because it might mean having access to new treatment options. And this new way of looking at fibromyalgia may even help us steer research to a breakthrough. At the moment, this remains a theory, but it is an interesting one.

The preceding article is posted here for sharing purposes only. For additional information, please visit FibromyalgiaTreating.com.