Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Tips with Robin August, Ph.D.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome–OOPS!

Posted on 04. Mar, 2009 by Robin August, Ph.D. in Uncategorized, What is Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

I can't believe it.  It was recently pointed out to me that since I started this blog, I forgot to point out a general description of these illnesses.  I can only think that this is caused by brain-fog, one of my symptons.  So, I'll write on this topic today.  Better late than never.

It is thought by some practitioners that Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may actually be a part of the same continuum.  Both disorders may have both chronic pain and fatigue, sleep disturbance, and brain fog (cognitive dysfunction), bowel disorders, and frequent infections .

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia may include: (1) Sleep Disturbance, (2) Impaired occupational and social functioning, (3) Wide spread pain covering four quadrants of the body [2above your waist on your right and left side and 2 below your waist, right and left sides],  (4) Cognitive dysfunction which includes problems with short-term memory, difficulty concentrating and word finding  (5) Eleven out of 18 tender points, (6) Morning stiffness, sensitivity to sound, smells, and lights (6) Bowel disorders including irritible bowel syndrome, (7) Sinusitis and frequent infections, (8) Fatigue after a small amount of exertion (9) Depression or anxiety (10) Neurally mediated hypotension.

    Unfortunately, there is still some disbelief in the general community as well as by some ignorant physicians as to whether Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome really exists.  Just to let you know that Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are recognized by The American Medical Association, The American College of Rheumatology, The World Health Organization, and the National Institutes of Health among others.  Just because you look well does not mean that you aren't suffering.

Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (often referred to as CFIDS)  lasts at least 6 months and includes at least 4 of the following symptoms, (1) Sleep Disturbance (2) Chronic Pain (3) Brain fog  which includes problems with short-term memory and concentration (4) Bowel dysfunction (5) Achiness in many muscle groups which some people describe as flu like (6) Frequent infections (7) Joint pain without swelling or redness (8) Malaise and worsening of symptoms lasting 24 hours or more after exercising (9) Tender lymph nodes in the neck and arm pits (10) Sore throat (11) Headaches of a new type, pattern or severity. (12) Depression and/or anxiety (13) neurally-mediated hypotension.

It should be noted that before a diagnosis can be given, your physician might want to rule out other things that can cause some similar symptoms like an underactive thyroid or Lyme disease.

I would be glad to hear from you.  Leave a message and I will post your note.

Dr. Robin

Tags: anxiety, bowel disorders, brain fog, chronic fatigue syndrome, cognitive dysfunctgion, depression, fibromyalgia, frequent infections, morning stiffness, neurally mediated hypotension, pain, problems with short-term memory, sinusitis, sleep disturbance