Click to review the Primary Symptoms of Fibromyalgia!

What Is Fibromyalgia / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. "Tender points" refers to tenderness that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. People with this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms.

_________________________________________________

How Many People Have Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

According to the American College of Rheumatology, Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome affects 3 to 6 million Americans. It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but children, the elderly, and men can also be affected.

_________________________________________________

What Causes Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Although the cause of Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is unknown, researchers have several theories about causes or triggers of the disorder. Some scientists believe that the syndrome may be caused by an injury or trauma. This injury may affect the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be associated with changes in muscle metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and decreased strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious agent such as a virus in susceptible people, but no such agent has been identified.

_________________________________________________

How Is Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed?

Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms mimic those of other disorders. The physician reviews the patient's medical history and makes a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome based on a history of chronic widespread pain that persists for more than 3 months. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has developed criteria for Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that physicians can use in diagnosing the disorder. According to ACR criteria, a person is considered to have Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome if he or she has widespread pain in combination with tenderness in at least 11 of 18 specific tender point sites.

_________________________________________________

How Is Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treated?

Fibromyalgia / Chronic Fatigue and Innovative Treatment Options

By Joe Wezensky, M.D.

Fibromyalgia (Fi – bro – my – al – ja) is a rheumatological condition characterized by widespread, multiple “tender points” primarily affecting neck, shoulders, low back and hips. It is commonly associated with sleep disturbance, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, reactive depressive or anxiety, and other symptoms. It mainly affects women in their child-bearing years – 25 to 45 years old, but children, elderly, and men may also be affected. It is estimated that 3 to 6 million Americans have Fibromyalgia.

Chronic Fatigue Immunodeficiency Syndrome (CFID’S) is similar to Fibromyalgia but symptoms are more related to a possible infectious cause. It is characterized by a prolonged, persistent debilitating fatigue not relieved by rest and not directly caused by other conditions. In general, the diagnosis for CFID’S requires that the fatigue be severe enough to cause a 50% decrease in normal activities. It may have other symptoms such as low grade fever, swollen and tender lymph nodes, pain and non restorative sleep. Some studies have shown that CFID’S may be caused by inflamed nervous system pathways, Mycoplasma (bacterial) infection, or a viral illness (such as Epstein-Barr) complicated by an inadequate or dysfunctional immune response.

A leading physician/researcher: Jacob Teitelbaum, MD has done double blind, placebo controlled studies on a comprehensive treatment plan which is outlined in his book; From Fatigue to Fantastic. Briefly, he incorporates treatments for pain, sleep dysfunction, chronic infections, hormone imbalance and nutritional deficiencies to achieve >90% good to excellent results as determined by treated patients. Some of the treatments are traditional medical treatments, other treatments use traditional medicines untraditionally, and some are alternative/complementary medicine therapies.

I have met and been to Conferences taught by Dr. Teitelbaum. I utilize most of his therapies plus incorporate other traditional and alternative/complementary therapies to help return Fibromyalgia/CFID’S sufferers back to health. Like Dr. Teitelbaum, I believe a comprehensive approach is needed to overcome these disabling diseases. Treating the sleep dysfunction is one of the most important therapies as we secrete Growth Hormone during sleep that in adults acts to restore and rejuvenate us. Many different pain treatments help to alleviate the suffering involved in Fibromyalgia and to a lesser extent, CFID’S. Both traditional and alternative/complementary therapies are individualized to the specific problems of the individual person. Also, most of the people affected by these disorders are ultra-sensitive to medicines and have chemical or environmental sensitivities that make treatment more difficult.

Careful and individualized treatments make the Fibromyalgia/CFID’S patient difficult for most doctors to treat. Long appointments and an understanding physician are needed to help these people get well. Unfortunately, managed (mangled) care insurers don’t reimburse physicians adequately for their time. So most doctors can’t take the time to properly and comprehensively treat Fibromyalgia/CFID’S. Besides, traditional therapies alone do not restore these people back to health. It takes an Integrative Doctor to incorporate both traditional and alternative/complementary therapies to get them well.

At Kokopelli Health & Wellness, Dr. Joe Wezensky, MD has been treating patients with Fibromyalgia and CFID’S successfully for 10 years. I have both traditional training – Medical School and Family Practice Board Certification as well as Alternative/Complementary Medical training through the American College for the Advancement of Medicine (ACAM), the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM), Prolotherapy through the American Academy of Musculo-Skeletal Medicine (AAMM), and other Pain conferences to round out the educational experience.