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Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a rheumatic disorder with chronic muscle pain that seems to have no physical  cause. This pain is usually described as burning, throbbing, shooting and stabbing. People with fibromyalgia have other symptoms such as: bad headaches, insomnia, depression, anxiety, dry skin, dry mouth, dizziness, memory impairment, PMS, palpitations,. The pain and stiffness occurring with fibromyalgia normally is  worse in the morning. Women are affected by fibromyalgia syndrome more then men. The disorder can go away then come back. Fibromyalgia is believed to be mainly an immune system disorder. It appears also related to CFS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
 

 Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disorder characterized by chronic muscular pain that has no obvious physical cause. It most -commonly affects the lower back, the neck, the shoulders, the back of the head, the upper chest, and/or the thighs, although any area or areas of the body may be involved. The pain is usually described as burning, throbbing, shooting, and stabbing. The pain and stiffness is often greater in the morning than at other times of day, and it may be accompanied by chronic headaches, strange sensations in the skin, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, and temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ). 

The most distinctive feature of fibromyalgia, however, is the existence of certain "tender points" or pairs of spots where the muscles are abnormally tender to the touch:

  •   around the lower vertebra of the neck
  •   muscles of the mid-back
  •   muscles connected to the base of the skull
  •   at the insertion of the second rib
  •   around the upper part of the thigh bone
  •   the middle of the knee joint
  •   muscles of the neck and upper back
  •   the side of the elbow
  •   the upper and outer muscles of the buttocks
 

Most people with fibromyalgia also have an associated sleep disorder known as alpha-EEG anomaly. In this disorder, the individual's deep sleep periods are interrupted by bouts of waking-type brain activity, resulting in poor sleep. Some people with fibromyalgia are plagued by other sleep disorders as well, such  as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, bruxism, and sleep myoclonus (a sudden rapid contraction of a muscle or a group of muscles during sleep or as one is falling asleep). Not surprisingly, given all these sleep difficulties, people with fibromyalgia often suffer from chronic fatigue that can range from mild to  incapacitating.

This disorder is much more common in females than in males, and most often begins in young adulthood. In most cases, symptoms come on gradually and slowly increase in intensity.

The cause or causes of fibromyalgia are not known. Some evidence points to a problem with the immune system; certain immunologic abnormalities are common among people with fibromyalgia. Their significance and relationship to the syndrome are not understood, however. A disturbance in brain chemistry may also be involved; many people who develop fibromyalgia have a history of clinical depression. Other possible causes that have been proposed include infection with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), the virus that causes infectious mononucleosis, or with the fungus Candida albicans; chronic mercury poisoning from amalgam dental fillings; anemia; parasites; hypoglycemia; and hypothyroidism. Some experts believe that fibromyalgia may be related to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which causes similar symptoms, except that in fibromyalgia, muscle pain predominates over fatigue, whereas in CFS, fatigue predominates over pain.

Because mal-absorption problems are common in people with this disorder, higher than normal doses of all supplemental nutrients are needed.
 
Nutrient / Supplement Helpful notes
Coenzyme Q10 Improves oxygenation of tissues, enhances the effectiveness of the immune system, and protects the heart.
Calcium this mineral helps people with fibromyalgia to help with the stress caused to the body by the disorder. See also magnesium.
Magnesium influences metabolic rate and also helps reduces body stress and is needed to balance out calcium a good natural multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. Women often have low magnesium.
B Vitamins B vitamins are very important for the proper function of your brain and nervous system. Supplements with natural vitamin B can help with depression. Also helps with digestion and allergy problems.
Omega Fatty Acids helps with pain and stiffness and inflammation often occurring with fibromyalgia.
Carotenoids these are free radical scavengers that help stimulate immune system and fibromyalgia syndrome sufferers normally need immune help. Supplements made from fruits and vegetables are a good source of carotenoids.
Bioflavinoids protects the body and helps to moderate inflammatory responses by the body of the person with fibromyalgia syndrome. Supplements made from fruits and vegetables are a good source of bioflavonoids.
Reishi Reishi mushroom is a powerful immune system builder and works well in an herbal mixture with Echinacea and other immunity type herbs.
Zinc people with allergies may not be getting enough zinc. Often a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement can help or a good immune system building formula.
Potassium needed for good adrenal gland and muscle function.


All information presented on this web page is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any
physical ailments. In all matters related to your health please contact a qualified, licensed practitioner.
All Information on this web page & pages linked to it are provided by  GBS International training pack 1995/2002;  
Dr. Mark Crapo nutritional seminars;   The  Herb Encyclopedia  & Sara St.Louis RN, CIC, NP, MPA
 

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