The Everything Health Guide to Fibromyalgia : Professional Advice to Help You Make It Through the Day

393 Pages·2008·1.25 MB·English

by  Yu

THE EVERYTHING® HEALTH GUIDE TO
FIBROMYALGIA
Professional advice to help you make it through the day
Winnie Yu and Michael McNett, M.D.,
Director, Fibromyalgia Treatment
Centers of America
Dedication
To my girls, Samantha and Stephanie — WY
• • •
When you're faced with a pressing health issue, your first instinct is to
find out as much about it as you can. With so much conflicting
information out there, where can you turn for professional, supportive
advice?
®
Packed with the most recent, up-to-date data, THE EVERYTHING
HEALTH GUIDES help ensure that you get a good diagnosis, choose the
best doctor, and find the right medical treatment. With this one
comprehensive resource, you and your family members have all the
information you could possibly need — at your fingertips.
®
THE EVERYTHING HEALTH GUIDES are an extension of the best-
®
selling Everything series in the health category, which also includes The
® ®
Everything Diabetes Book and The Everything Menopause Book.
®
Accessible and easy to read, THE EVERYTHING HEALTH GUIDES
provide specific details and clear examples that relate to your given
medical situation. If you're looking for one-stop, all-inclusive guides that
allow you to understand and become more in tune with your body, this
groundbreaking series is the perfect tool for you.
®
Visit the entire Everything series at www.everything.com
Acknowledgments
I'd like to thank my editor, Kate Burgo, who entrusted me with a topic as
complex as fibromyalgia. This book also wouldn't have been possible
without the support and efforts of my collaborator Michael McNett, M.D.,
who not only knows a great deal about fibromyalgia but has a keen eye
for copy. In addition, I'd like to acknowledge Frances Jenkins, Nancy
Mongato, Anita Murray, Andrea Whitaker, Elaine Burns, and Mary
Delsman, who helped me better understand life with fibromyalgia. And
finally, I wish to thank Jeff, Samantha, and Stephanie for simply being
there. — WY
Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Fibromyalgia Defined
What Is Fibromyalgia?
What Fibromyalgia Is Not
What Fibromyalgia Feels Like
Who Gets It?
Suspected Causes of Fibromyalgia
Conditions Associated with Fibromyalgia
Chapter 2: Signs and Symptoms
Pain: The Most Common Symptom
Sleep Disturbances
Fatigue
Fibro Fog and Your Brain
Depression
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Other Abdominal Issues
Chronic Headaches
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
Raynaud's Phenomenon
Other Symptoms
Chapter 3: Fibro Imitators
Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFIDS)
Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP)
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Hypothyroidism
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Other Conditions
Chapter 4: Finding the Right Doctors
Team Captain: You
Who Are the Key Players?
Other Specialists You Might Need
Finding the Best Doctor
What to Expect from a Good Doctor
The First Visit
Leading Your Team
Communicate!
Chapter 5: Diagnosing Fibromyalgia
The Official Word
A Tough Diagnosis
Getting to a Diagnosis
How You Can Help
Dealing with Nonbelievers
When You're Diagnosed
Chapter 6: All about Pain
What Exactly Is Pain?
The Nervous System
How Nerves Cause Pain
Normal Pain Versus Fibro Pain
What Causes Fibro Pain?
Body Chemicals Involved in Fibro Pain
The Gate Control Theory
Impact of Lifestyle
Chapter 7: The Fatigue Factor
Fibro Fatigue
What Makes It Worse
CFIDS, a Co-conspirator
Treating Fatigue
Living with Fatigue
Exhausting Emotions
Chapter 8: The Sleep Problem
What Is Sleep?
Fibro Sleep
Other Sleep Problems
The Insomnia Battle
Sleep Solutions
Make Sleep a Priority
Chapter 9: Other Fibro Troubles
The Brain
Headaches
The Eyes and Mouth
Tummy Troubles
Urinary Troubles
Menstrual Problems
Vaginal Pain
Problems All Over
Chapter 10: Medications That Can Help
Pain Relief
Combining Medications
Sleep Remedies
Stimulants
Medications for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Other Medications
Using Drugs Safely and Wisely
A Word on Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs
Choosing the Right One(s)
Chapter 11: Alternative Fibro Treatments
What Is CAM?
Acupuncture
Trigger-Point Therapy
Chiropractics
Massage
Reiki
Herbal Supplements
Doing the Research
Diet Know-How
Chapter 12: Living with Fibromyalgia
Adapting to Fibromyalgia
Listening to Your Body