April 2, 2007
Why the Focus on Depression?
Q: With all of the information we have on Fibromyalgia and the people suffering with actual pain (not depression), why are there doctors who still think "it's all in your head"? Why are there studies and treatments that just focus on depression? I suffer with this and it took 11 years to have it diagnosed. My mother also suffers with this… I am tired of doctors trying to prescribe NeurontinR [gabapentin] and antidepressants and looking at fibro suffers as if they are criminals. They need help for the pain, not psychology. - Caregiver and sufferer
A: There are a number of reasons some doctors persist in believing Fibromyalgia is a psychological problem rather than a physical one. Many doctors who treat a wide variety of illnesses (that is, general practice and family medicine physicians) are just not able to keep up with the latest research in every field. Until recent years, FM was not even mentioned in medical schools. So, unless a doctor has made the extra effort to learn about it, there is a tendency to brush it off as a psychological problem. Other physicians simply do not want to deal with FM because it is such a difficult illness to treat. Then there are a few who have a vested interest in trying to prove FM to be a mental disorder, such as psychiatrists or doctors who are paid to do evaluations for insurance companies. Fortunately, the number of medical professionals who continue to hold on to the ‘all in your head’ theory is shrinking every year. Once researchers are able to identify an affordable and reliable diagnostic test for FM, the last of the holdouts should jump on board.
As for your concern about the prescribing of NeurontinR and antidepressants for FM, there are legitimate reasons for both. NeurontinR does help decrease pain for some FM patients. Antidepressants prescribed for FM are usually in lower dosages than for depression and are given to help the patient sleep better.
Can FM Follow an Attack?
Q: I wanted to ask if anyone else got Fibromyalgia after being [physically attacked]. It twisted my entire body and took me years to walk without twisting my ankle or breaking it. My FM doctor has never cared for anyone who has had this happen to them… – Ruth
A: Fibromyalgia is usually triggered by some kind of physical or emotional trauma. Since an experience like yours would cause both a serious physical and severe emotional trauma, it could certainly trigger FM. You might find it helpful to visit the ImmuneSupport.com message board or chat room to see if there are others who have had a similar experience. Being able to talk to someone else who knows what you’ve gone through can be very beneficial.
Does Hypnosis Work?
Q: My back pain became so intense that the orthopedic specialists…decided the only course of therapy was to perform a spinal fusion. They did, and while there is no more ‘pain’, there is plenty of discomfort, and very intense numbness. I've been prescribed many kinds of medication to make me comfortable, and all of them work only minimally. Now, here comes my question. Is there any truth to autosuggestion? Is it worthwhile to continue trying it? Yes, I'm at it regularly, but as yet there has been no positive response.
I wrote two papers on autosuggestion when I was a college student: one on its use for women in labor, and the other on the reduction of pain at the dentist's office. Most of my research was gleaned from sophisticated journals such as JAMA, Lancet, The New England Journal of Medicine, and others. I have been convinced of its efficacy ever since. Now, I've got it all – the spinning spiral, taped hypnotic dialog, the works – and still no response. How did the obstetricians and orthopedists do it? I aced both papers, but my failed efforts make it all sound like a like of baloney. Please, a word or two from your office would go a long way toward resolving this dilemma. To continue or to drop the hypnosis effort, "that is the question." – MHH (from Japan)
A: Research continues to show that the combination of working with a hypnotherapist along with a well-constructed self-hypnosis program and good nutrition can reduce stress, increase relaxation, and improve sleep – which, in turn, often results in reduced pain. It sounds like you are trying to treat yourself rather than working with a professional practitioner. A qualified hypnotherapist who is skilled in pain and stress reduction, restorative sleep programming, and coping skills should be able to help you tweak your program to make it more beneficial to you. Many patients report a 30 to 50 percent reduction in pain after following a well-constructed program for six to eight weeks. You might also be interested in an abstract from a recent study on the use of mind-body therapies offered in this issue.
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Questioning Lenses Used in Cataract Surgery
Q: …Two days ago I saw an ophthalmologist to see if I could find the source of my headaches, nausea, and eyes going out of focus. I was told I have cataracts in both eyes! Seeing that members are having problems reading the newsletter, I wonder how many are getting regular eye exams… I tried to search cataracts on your ImmuneSupport.com site, but the “sorry no info” message came up. I am a little concerned and could use some help here. It seems there are lens options. I recognize that those little umbrellas that close up holes in hearts have nickel in them, which is dangerous to us. I am also aware that conventional anesthesia is hard on us. What about lens material? – Lee
A: You’re wise to be cautious and ask questions before considering a serious medical treatment. Most intraocular lenses used today are made from silicone and/or acrylic. Ask your ophthalmologist exactly what materials your lenses will be made of and how you can test in advance to see if you are sensitive to any of those materials. You might also find it helpful to visit the message board and ask others to share their experiences with cataract surgery and intraocular lenses.
Wouldn’t Separate Chat Rooms Serve Better?
I appreciate all of the information that you make available to those of us looking for resources. I would like to tell you though, as a person with CFIDS, it would be much appreciated to have a designated chat room rather then being lumped together. I feel that you would better serve the CFIDS community by matching like with like. This would certainly be appreciated and give more continuity to both of the groups. – Ron
Note: We're glad you asked. As part of our ongoing ImmuneSupport.com site redesign we now offer our site users both a CFS chat room and an FM chat room.
Information on Surgery for FM & ME-CFS Patients?
Q: I read your information often. However, I haven't seen anything on having surgery with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, sleep disorder, and restless legs syndrome. I am going to have a pelvic floor construction. In a case like mine where the surgery will be done below the waist, I would rather have the epidural and also be in a very light sleep so I don't know what is going on, as that alone will cause me to have a flare-up. With the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and my age (59 years old/female), can my immune system stand up to a surgery such as this one? - Kathryn
A: There is an excellent article on this subject in the ImmuneSupport.com archives: “Guidance for Fibromyalgia Patients Having Elective Surgery.” Other patients have reported that following Dr. Robert Bennett’s recommendations in this article made a big difference in their post-surgical pain and recovery time. They advise printing several copies of the article and giving it to all doctors, surgeons, and anesthesiologists involved. And don’t just assume they’ve read it. Make sure they explain to you in detail what steps they’re going to take to reduce the intensity of any post-surgical flare-up.
Also talk with your doctors about your immune system concerns to see if there are additional preventative measures you can take. Even under the best of circumstances, people with FM and ME-CFS generally have a longer post-operative convalescence period than most. So allow yourself plenty of extra time to recuperate and don’t push yourself too soon. We wish you the best in your upcoming surgery.
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Disclaimer: This information has not been evaluated by the FDA. It is not meant to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure any illness, condition, or disease. It is very important that you make no change in your healthcare plan or regimen without researching and discussing it in collaboration with your professional healthcare team.
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