Post by caressa on Dec 8, 2012 12:58:03 GMT -5
Received this on one of my sites. I found it to me interesting and enlightening. The link that was referred to did not work.
JoAnne, I have been fibro since birth and am currently on disability for the debilitating combo of that and bipolar/PTSD. A concurrent fibro/mental health diagnosis is extremely common. But I would like to take exception to your statement t...hat fibro is a form of arthritis. That is a very old opinion held by docs long before fibromyalgia was even named. It is NOT related to arthritis, though you may also have arthritis at the same time, same body. Fibro does not include inflammation. Arthritis diseases ARE inflammatory conditions. This is an important distinction. Fibro is a central nervous system disorder and affects many body systems, creating arthritis-like neuromuscular pain, one of its most common symptoms. Nervous system, endocrine and GI tract issues seem to be at the heart of fibro, though there is no one single cause. Primary fibro is present from childhood and secondary fibro generally occurs after trauma and/or during a women's middle, pre- and menopausal years. From one of my favorite fibro researchers: " FM is a state of central sensitization. This means that your central nervous system may be unusually sensitive to pain (hyperglycemia) and you also may find certain sounds, vibrations, light, and other sensations (even smells) to be translated by your body into discomfort or pain. Certain types of sound, such as staccato music or talk, or certain pitches, may be unendurable and promote increased sensitivity to other stimuli. The same may be true of the pattern of shadow and light by trees passing along in a car, or even being stuck in an elevator or car with a woman with heavy perfume. Diffuse, body-wide pain is part of FM, but not all of it by any means." The good news is that there's a bright side if you're willing to see it: the uber-sensitivity of fibro folks can be a real gift if it doesn't swallow you whole! You are highly empathetic and likely quite psychic. You can feel others' pain (but don't let it take your body over!) and so can relate to others' suffering in a profound way. You're good at sensing other people's feelings and moods, and as long as you can distinguish them from your own, this provides a wonderful opening to richer relationships.
Tina F.