Fibromyalgia encompasses a wide variety of symptoms. Almost all systems of the body are affected and need to be addressed before the condition can be dealt with. In particular, the endocrine glands are comprised with the thyroid and adrenals taking the brunt of it.
Diagnosing Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is not easily diagnosed with lab tests or physical exams. Both of these methods have their short comings. Diagnosis is best done by observation and taking a holistic (whole) system view.
Although fibromyalgia has a number of related conditions, central is the imbalance created in the adrenals, and the resulting low levels of cortisol and DHEA. This presents as hypotension (low blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Once these are addressed, the resulting conditions are more easily brought under control. This will be discussed further in part 3 on treatment.
Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
- Pain all over the body. Goes between intense and dull and is transient in nature. Responds only to opiate painkillers.
- Lethargy/fatigue
- Cognitive problems (fogginess of thought)
- Short term memory problems (trouble remembering why a room was entered)
- Compromised immune system
- Dizziness on standing up (hypotension-low blood pressure)
- Frequent urination (polyuria) and night time urination (nocturia)
- Wake up feeling tired after a full night’s sleep (inability to achieve stage 4 sleep)
- Muscle weakness
- Symptoms made worse by changes in weather or time changes
- Sensitivity to smells
- Balance and coordination problems (misjudging depth perception and walking into the door frame) caused by inflammation of the mastoid process.
- Jaw pain (TMJ)
- Wrist pain (carpal tunnel)
- Sensitivity to cold, low metabolism, dry skin (hypothyroidism )
- Blood sugar crashes after eating sugar or big meals (hypoglycemia)
- Depression
- Electro magnetic sensitivity
- Natural attractor of mosquitoes
- Trouble coping with stress
- Candida yeast infections –genital or systemic
- Restless leg syndrome in bed
- Muscle cramping
- Night blindness –oncoming headlight painful to eyes (due to magnesium deficiency)
Although symptoms can vary, those are the most common. The important marker that point to fibromyalgia will be the extreme fatigue, dizziness on standing (hypotension), blood sugar crashes (hypoglycemia), and muscle/joint pain.
Overlap of Chronic Conditions
It quickly becomes evident that there is considerable overlap in the symptoms of the related conditions. Often times it is difficult to determine the difference between the symptoms of fibromyalgia, candida, and hypothyroidism. That is why all systems must be addressed as a whole.
Check out Dealing with Chronic Pain and Fatigue to get an understanding of the condition, and Resolving Chronic Pain and Fatigue to learn more about treatments.
References
Green Pharmacy, James Duke, 2002, ISBN-13 978-0312981518
From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum ISBN-10 1583332898
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual, Devin Starlanyl and Mary Ellen Copeland, 2001, ISNB-13 978-15722422388
The DHEA Breakthrough, Stephen Cherniske, 1998 ISBN-13 978-0345426468
