After living with the constant pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia for more than eight years, I have certainly had my share of low moments when I have despaired about living with this condition for the rest of my life.
We know that there is currently no definitive cure, but is there one looming on the horizon--or is it a lost cause? Do we have to suffer for the rest of our lives, as I've feared in the past? Well, not even expert medical professionals can say for sure, but let's talk about some of the advancements that have made life with fibro easier.
Diagnosis has always been difficult and is usually "exclusionary," meaning that once similar diseases are excluded by blood work and other diagnostic measures, fibromyalgia is the only condition remaining. The tender point test can assist in the conclusion, but few rheumatologists value it as a solitary way to put forth a diagnosis.
If you're having trouble getting a diagnosis pinned down once and for all, then you may want to keep a journal of your symptoms. I recommend this to many sufferers of chronic pain so that they can give a full and accurate account of their experiences when they visit a new doctor/specialist or follow up with a current healthcare professional.
Treatment of this disease can be tremendously difficult because it often manifests in diverse ways in separate individuals. That can be tremendously frustrating for those of us looking for relief, but persisting is vital. Many leading rheumatologists prescribe strong anti-inflammatory drugs, which are essentially a super-powered equivalent of ibuprofen.
You have probably heard of one of the leading prescriptions directed specifically for the management of fibro symptoms. It operates on the assumption that the source of fibromyalgia pain is overactive nerves. But part of the medical mystery is that neither the source nor the cause of fibro has been pinpointed yet.
That is not to say that the drug is entirely ineffective--I am simply saying that it is operating on an unproven assumption. It is also known to induce dizziness and fatigue, which can make it challenging to carry on with normal life, at least until your body has adjusted. If you're considering this leading fibro-combating drug, discuss all of the side effects, risks, and benefits with your doctor.
With traditional medicine lagging, it's normal that many sufferers have turned to alternative cures like acupuncture and massage therapy. These are perfectly legitimate avenues, but I also recommend getting in touch with a local pain management center.
General practitioners are not equipped to deal with the specific nature of your illness, but professionals specializing in pain management can better form the best treatment approach for you, making your daily life more manageable. You can get through this--and you can keep hoping for a cure. Don't give up.
Author Resource:-
(http://www.balconespain.com/) At our Austin pain management clinic, we understand and invite you to call us today and take that first step to freedom.
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