Fibromyalgia....not psychological?

Question

I have noticed soooo many peeps here have been giving advice to others that Fibromyalgia is purely a psychological disease. Anyone want to comment on this?

btw... I know it's roots are NOT psychological)

Answer 1

Critical New Piece of Fibromyalgia Puzzle Found?
Pieces of the Fibromyalgia puzzle are slowly falling into place, and researchers are moving toward a unified theory that explains the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease.

While the conviction among the majority of Fibromyalgia researchers is that Fibromyalgia represents a significant sensitization of the brain and spinal cord, some leading researchers have recently formed a theory that takes the "Sensitization Theory" a step further, to what can be called the "Hippocampus Hypothesis" or "Dopamine Hypothesis." This fascinating theory states that FM is primarily a brain dysfunction resulting from stress-induced physiological changes to a part of the brain called the hippocampus and to the important neurotransmitter that it regulates - dopamine.

Specifically, the hippocampus is extremely sensitive to stress, and in fact is the brain organ that enables us to respond to environmental stressors in a way that helps us avoid danger. The best example of the beneficial stress response is when our ancestors crossed paths with a saber tooth tiger - an immediate "fight or flight" response was mandatory to ensure survival. Studies have shown that chronic stress, however, can contribute to a disruption of normal hippocampus function. The hippocampus plays a major role in pain perception and memory formation, and it is involved in controlling the production of that crucial brain neurotransmitter, dopamine. Dopamine abnormalities have been linked to "restless leg syndrome," increased pain, and feelings of self doubt, anxiety, and problems with memory formation.

If the "Dopamine Hypothesis" is correct, then it is reasonable to assume that drugs that restore normal dopamine levels and activity in the brain should have a therapeutic effect when administered to Fibromyalgia patients.

And this is where the "Dopamine Hypothesis" picks up steam. Andrew Holman, MD, recently conducted a controlled, double blind study of the drug pramipexole with several Fibromyalgia patients. Pramipexole, sold under the brand name Mirapex™, is approved for treatment for Parkinson's disease - a primary dopamine disorder. Patients experienced significant improvement in their symptoms. Another drug that affects dopamine and has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for restless legs syndrome - ropinirole - also met with remarkable success in another recent Fibromyalgia study conducted by Dr. Holman.

All told, the Dopamine Hypothesis looks promising for several reasons. It ties in nicely to the pathogenesis of the disease - that the onset of Fibromyalgia frequently occurs during times of prolonged or intense emotional or physical stress, when the hippocampus may become overworked and become dysfunctional as a result. And it ties into the fact that dopamine, which is largely regulated by the hippocampus, may cause many of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia when its levels are unregulated.

Answer 2

I have this for 16 years and believe me, it is not psychological.
It is more severe sometimes than others, but it is definately not in your head.
Stress is a big factor for me, How things are going.
Diet is a factor, basically no preservatives in the food, and certain medicaitons.
Weight.
When I was diagnosed with it in 1990, I had never heard of it before.
At that time I had been taking a beta blocker, my muscles just ached, and I had no energy whatsoever.
The doctor put me on an ace inhibitor, and an antidepressant, and the syptoms somewhat subsided.
He told me beta blockers can cause this.
I have had ups and downs through the years and I believe stress is a big factor.
I was doing really good about two and half years ago, and didn't even need my antidepressants. I had lost weight and literally had no pain. I had a temp position that I liked a lot, but had to be let go. Slowly my symptoms came back. I haven't been able to get a job I liked since then, and I am not feeling too good right now.

Answer 3

Fibromyalgia is a chronic, painful condition that affects an estimated 3.7 million people in the U.S., most of whom are women. However, no single treatment has been established, leaving doctors and their patients with little choice but to mix and match a variety of drug and nondrug approaches. In an article in the December issue of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, a Pennsylvania researcher concludes that physicians must empower patients to look to alternative treatments to achieve the best pain relief.

Doctors do not know the exact causes of fibromyalgia. However, there is a common pattern of symptoms that occur in about 75% of all fibromyalgia sufferers. These symptoms include fatigue, disrupted sleep, stiffness on waking in the morning, and the presence of multiple tender spots in the neck, lower back, arms and legs. Many patients with fibromyalgia also have other medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, Lyme disease, arthritis, and tension headaches. Muscle abnormalities also have been observed, but some research has concluded that rather than being a feature of fibromyalgia, these abnormalities may be the result of not using certain muscles because of chronic pain. Hope this answers your question. I have it and it is surely not psychological................Flo

Answer 4

Back in 1973 they all said (its all in your head) Dr. did not listen to us they would order pt, a cane, lift on your shoe give you shots but it was all in your head. Now they have a test for it and you must meet 11 of 18 points to have fibromyalgia 10 does not count, so now when I hear people say its all in your head I wonder where they receive there degree. It is a physical illness according to the medical field, that is all that counts. cancer did not always exist, but it did.

Answer 5

I get really irritated by these people who say that FMS is all in our heads, yadda yadda yadda, and do nothing to offer suggestions for natural, especially non-narcotic, pain relief. Not everyone who "claims" to have FMS is just looking for a quick narcotic fix, despite what naysayers may say. I don't touch narcotics for pain in general or for FMS pain in particular. There are plenty of alternatives to controlled substances for pain control.

I began having symptoms of FMS in 1998 but didn't find real pain relief until about two years ago. I take 800 mg. of Aleve and a 1000-mg. flaxseed oil capsule every night at bedtime, and I take Arnica tablets (a homeopathic herb) as needed for flareups. Check out the links below for a lot of helpful information.

Answer 6

hello,
I am very disappointed that there are people out there that think this is mental. I'm afraid they are very mistaken. This is a serious disease. The pain is severe. It causes people to become handicapped and sometime wheelchair bound. The ones who say it is in the mind need to be submitted to the pain the ones who have it bad. It is the nerves going bad.
A Rheumatologist will inform those who are ignorant of the true nature of this disease and set them straight.
People who a inflicted with this have to take medication and get cortisone shot to relieve the pain to a livable level.
Ignorance is not bliss.
God bless

Answer 7

it IS a psychological 'disease.' There has been no evidence at all of the 'root' theory, which doesn't even make sense in the context of the disease.

It is a psychosomatic disease. That's not saying it's not real, it very well is. However it is psychological turmoil and issues which cause the physical symptoms. People aren't making it up, they're not imagining it, they are actualyl feeling it, but nothing physical is causing it.

People don't like hearing what it really is, because it makes them seem crazy. That's not the case at all. But to call it a true, physical disease is just incorrect.

The only treatments for this condition which have actually worked have been counseling and therapy, exercise, stress reduction, anxiety treatment, and things of that nature. Which lends heavy evidence to support what the disease really is.

Answer 8

I, for one, suffer from fibroymyalgia. For several years, I didn't know what was wrong...I had all these unexplained aches, pains, symptoms, etc. Then, one day, my dr. referred me to a rheumatologist who finally diagnosed me correctly. I know it is not psychological. I have been able, for the most part, to not let it get me down completely. For a few years, I was having TERRIBLE flares where I couldn't move and hurt and ache all over. I have learned to reduce emotional and physical stress and to try to get plenty of sleep. These things seem to help. I exercise regularly, like Pilates, long walks, etc...I cope pretty well, that sometimes I forget that I even have it...but, sometimes, when I least expect it...I get a small flare, then I just watch my stress levels, my sleep, exercise, etc...

MY AVATAR IS HILLARY CLINTON, BTW

Answer 9

I can barely put a sentence together this evening. It's taken me fifteen minutes of this. I'm a published writer with a university education. Must be psychological, oh yes. Couldn't possibly be biochemical now, the government would protect yes, right?

Answer 10

It is not psychological, although many people dont have it and attribute their aches and pains to it. Continual body pain is real, but mental problems can cause physical illness, so it is easy to see how things get blured. A natural diet will greatly improve mental and physical problems.