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FIBROMYALGIA

Dr Gerard Sinovich Lead pain Consultant at Panaceapainreliefclinic  provides an update on what we need to know about Fibromyalgia

 

Fibromyalgia is a long term condition that cause pain all over the body,as well as widespread pain,other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

-increased sensitivity to pain

-muscle stiffness

-difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep

-Fatigue

-problems with mental processes (known as “fibro-fog”), such as difficulty concentrating or remembering things.

– Headache

 -Irritable bowel syndrome

–  Anxiety and Depression

The symptoms of fibromyalgia are changeable – for example, they can sometimes suddenly improve or get worse.

 

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it’s thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) processes pain messages carried around the body.

 

The National Health Service lists these as the causes:

-Abnormal pain messages

-Chemical imbalances which regulate mood, appetite, sleep, behavior and stress responses.

-Sleep problems

-Genetics-genes inherited from their parents

-Possible triggers. These include an injury, viral infection, giving birth, breakdown of a relationship, being in an abusive relationship, death of a loved one.

Anyone can develop fibromyalgia, but it’s more common in women than men ,age 25-55,prevalence 1 in 20 people.

Fibromyalgia  can mimic various medical conditions

-Lupus

-Multiple Sclerosis

-Rheumatoid Arthritis

-Polymyalgia Rheumatica

-Thyroid disease

-Anaemia

-Axial sponyloarthritis

-Chronic fatigue syndrome

Although there’s currently no cure for fibromyalgia, there are treatments to help relieve some of the symptoms and make the condition easier to live with.

Treatment tends to be a combination of:

-Lifestyle changes, such as exercise programmes and relaxation techniques

-Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

-Interventional pain procedures

-Conventional Medicines such as: antidepressants ,antineuropathic , weak opiates

– Alternative medication include Medicinal cannabis

 

Please visit  htpp://panaceapainreliefclinic.co.uk  for more information and contact my team to make an appointment on 01252895430 or send an email via the website and a member of the team will contact you.