What is The Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia? " Janice a 45-year-old advertising executive "

Case study ( 9703 views as of March 29, 2024 )

Janice, a 45-year-old advertising executive, developed the flu in December. She took 10 days off work because of fever, cough, sore throat, headaches, fatigue and muscle aches. A month later she continued to have muscle aches in her back, shoulders and hips and fatigue. She felt tired even when she had slept for 10 hours. She had experienced an occasional migraine before but was now getting a low grade headache 2-3 days a week. She had been to a walk-in clinic and the physician there had ordered some blood tests to make sure she wasn't anemic and to check her thyroid. The test results were normal.

Two months later she made an appointment to see her regular family physician, who did a complete examination but could not find anything wrong. He wondered if she had developed fibromyalgia after the flu and referred her to a rheumatologist. She was later informed that the specialist appointment wasn't for six months. She could benefit her condition by seeing her family doctor again and asking for a referral to  a pain specialist. She might get a referral to a neurolgist or a psychiatrist. Lastly, either a chiropractor or a naturopath might help.

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Conversation based on: What is The Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia? " Janice a 45-year-old advertising executive "

What is The Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia? " Janice a 45-year-old advertising executive "

  • A doctor may perform an X-ray to see if there is any abnormal curvature of the spine to confirm that the patient actually has Scoliosis. Also, an X-ray may give an indication to the degree of curvature and is important information that could be used to treat and manage a patient’s Scoliosis. If you are interested in treatment for Scoliosis, seeing your Family Physician could help, as they may refer you to a Rheumatologist.
  • @ChantalSayers — There are several vitamin and mineral tests that can be taken to check levels and uncover deficiencies. I work with Dr. Mordy Levy (www.drlevy.ca) in Toronto who is a functional doctor—he is one of very few in Canada who has both a medical degree (MD) and is also a naturopathic doctor (ND). Dr. Levy administers these tests.
  • In the case study it mentions that she was diagnosed after a bout with the flu. It reminded me of a comment that my doctor made to me about my car accident causing the fibromyalgia. Do we know enough about this condition to say whether or not there is a usually a causation incident ? or if it is something that just develops like arthritis ?
    • @Michelle Kaarto in many cases that's exactly what fibromyalgia seems to be. To my knowledge there is no real test aside from pain point indicators and a collection of symptoms
    • Isn't fibromyalgia more of a 'diagnosis of exclusion' where there really is no other explanation for a person's symptoms? I did read that traumatic events such as car accidents or PTSD have been loosely linked to fibromyalgia.
  • I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after a bad car accident. I think one of the hardest things to adjust to was that it's not JUST pain. When I have a flare up it really does take over everything. I'm in pain no matter what I do or take, I don't sleep, I can't focus, I lose my appetite. It takes everything I have just to get through the day. It really does take over your mind and body
  • @HealthyMama, In fibromyalgia, nutritional deficiencies can include vitamin B-12, magnesium, Acetyl L-Carnitine, glutathione, as well as basic A, B, C and D vitamins. Deficiencies can vary from person to person, which is why you should address this topic with your health professional. A holistic nutritionist can help through diet and meal planning, based on individual needs.
    • I'm just curious how a health professional, like a nutritionist can uncover if you have a specific deficiency? Is it done through a series of blood tests, or some other type of test? Or is it just a trial and elimination type thing where you would actually take vitamins and see if you have a good outcome? I have recently been diagnosed with very low iron and am just wondering if it's possible I might be low in other vitamins/minerals as well.
    • If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia is it a good idea to get screened for vitamin deficiencies ?
  • @Healthymama, Fibromyalgia can affect both men and women.
  • Can men be diagnosed with fibromyalgia? I've only ever heard of women having it but a male family member fits the description right now.
    • Men and even children can also be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, however it is a condition that predominantly affects women.
    • I wonder if it's because women are more likely to go to a doctor for a mishmash of symptoms like found in fibromyalgia
  • A current theory around fibromyalgia is around being deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. It would be helpful to determine with a naturopath or nutritionist whether deficiencies exist. Assessing whether there are any food allergies/intolerance would be very helpful as well. Eating whole, unprocessed, organic foods can also help the GI tract repair any damage/inflamation.
    • Really good points and recommendations Lisa on what is a proper diagnosis of fibromyalgia and how a nutritionist can help.
    • What vitamins and minerals are most likely to be deficient?
  • How does the flu being on Fibromyalgia?
    • I wouldn't think so healthymama. I have never read anything to indicate fibromyalgia is connected to viral infections. it's not something you "catch"
    • So kmichael you don't believe it was brought on by the flu? That fibromyalgia was there before?
    • Its probably more true to say that they investigated WHY she didn't feel better after it appeared she was over the flu. She was likely ignoring symptoms and it wasn't until she was recovering from a major illness that she realized something was wrong with what she felt "normally"
    • Bring, not being!
  • What is Fibromyalgia?
    • My understanding is that it's a chronic pain disease but they don't really understand "what" it is or why some people get it. It used to be referred to as sleeping sickness in the 80's
    • I don't really understand it either.
    • This was my question too.
  • How would you recommend starting the discussion of Fibrmyalgia with your doctor? Myself and my psychiatrist think this is a possibility for me. I've also been on Lyrica for nerve pain for a short period and found that I felt a lot better overall. When I've brought it up I was brushed off.
    • Do some doctors not believe in fibromyalgia?
  • I think it is important to separate food intolerance/sensitivities from allergies. A food allergy causes an anaphylactic reaction.
  • Acupuncture and Cupping Therapy is very helpful for those experiencing symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Cupping will help to detoxify the muscles to bring fresh new blood into the muscles (blood is penicillin for the body). Acupuncture works to further open up the pathways of blood circulation, body fluids and the electro-magnetic circuits (Qi). Pain is the body's way of telling us that there is an imbalance of these systems that is causing congestion (stagnation) throughout the body. Acupuncture and Cupping Therapy releases this congestion restore the natural flow of blood, fluids and energy to the system.
    • Great points Julianne
    • I think I saw cupping on the Amazing Race once! It looked painful. But I'm interested to hear more or anecdotes about how it helps release toxins.
    • Wow this cupping therapy for fibromyalgia sounds intriguing. I will tell my family member who suffers about it.
    • Cupping Therapy is a very ancient healing modality that uses special cups that are placed on the body over the muscles to detoxify the muscles by interacting with the muscle fibers to cause fresh blood to flow through the muscles, thereby increasing circulation which has the effect of reducing and eliminating pain. Blood is like penicillin for the body so we are always wanting to open up the energy and circulation to allow for that healing process.
    • I'm familiar with acupuncture but have never heard of cupping therapy as a pain management treatment. Can you tell me more ?
  • What exercising / stretching methods are most recommended for those suffering with Fibromyalgia ?
    • I think that yoga and low impact exercises are often recommended if you are not used to exercise. As with most chronic pain diseases you exercise at the level you can tolerate. So if a person is a runner they can continue to run as long as their pain is manageable.
  • Can one recover from fibromyalgia or is it an illness that needs to be managed for the rest of your life?
    • Everyone I know who has it seems to suffer from fibromyalgia forever.
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