I have fibromyalgia, how do I convince my husband my pain isn't all in my head?

Question

My husband says that I am just a wimp. He thinks that my pain is in my head. Have they came up with any kind of blood test that can prove that I have this painful disease?

Answer 1

No, there's no blood test. There are brain scans that have proven the existence of FMS, and other tests proving that FMS patients have elevated levels of a neurotransmitter called substance P in our spinal cords. Substance P is involved in transmitting information about painful sensations. Other research has found evidence of a genetic weakness that leads some people to being vulnerable to the development of painful disorders like fibromyalgia, TMJ or TMD. Fibromyalgia is absolutely very, very real. The genetic link means that when one person in a family has it, there will probably be more. For instance, I have it, and so does my daughter. (I think my father has it, too, but he's far too bloody stubborn to ever admit it.)

If you were diagnosed by a qualified physician who did a tender point examination after you had experienced pain in all four quadrants of your body (above and below the waist on both the right and the left sides) for more than three months, and had tests to rule out other possible causes of the pain (arthritis, Lupus, Lyme disease, etc.), and you tested positive in at least 11 of the 18 tender points, congratulations, you have fibromyalgia.

It's usually diagnosed by a rhuematologist, despite the fact that it's a neurological disorder. That's because it was previously thought to be related to arthritis in some way, and earlier research focused on finding some kind of abnormality in the joints, muscles, or connective tissue. There weren't any.

I'd suggest having your husband accompany you to your next doctor's appointment, and having the doctor explain fibromyalgia to him. If you haven't been formally diagnosed, get a referral to a rheumatologist who treats FMS patients (some "don't believe in FMS," still) and have the tender point exam done. If you don't have FMS done, get the doctors to do tests 'til they find out why you are in pain.

In the meantime - why put up with disrespectful treatment like hanging around with a jerk who is accusing you of lying about what you're experiencing? Because that's what your husband is doing. He's questioning your honor by refusing to believe what you say you're experiencing. I wouldn't put up with that if I were you.

At the very least, haul his tail into a therapist's office. If he won't go with you, it won't hurt for you to have some support for a change.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Once again, here we are with a situation of "proving" something to someone who should "trust" you.

The first problem is having a husband who doesn't trust you nor believe what you say about your feelings of pain. Second of all, if you have been diagnosed with Fibro, then the doctors word should be enough to convince him. If you haven't been diagnosed, then how do you know you have it. Don't assume, you must have a doctors diagnosis. In some cases, the doctor may indicate the same or similar symptoms to a disease or disorder, but can remain inconclusive. If they cannot detect any other disease, then they assume the closest to those symptoms. Therefore, even this can be enough.

Answer 3

If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia then you hubby is an a**. For years I heard the same crap from people (incuding some physician). I finally went to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. It took them one visit to discover I had restless leg syndrome. This is also a very painful diasese that cant really be measured. The point is if you havent been diagnosed with fibromyalgia then it may be restless leg syndrome mine was so bad even my forearms hurt.

Answer 4

Take him to your rheumatologist and have the rheumatologist or your family doctor show him the 12 pressure points. Have him go to fibromyalgia meetings with you where he can ask questions.

Years ago many people and doctors thought fibromyalgia was a psychosomatic illness but we've begun to see it's not true.

If he refuses to go to either get yourself involved with a fibro support group.

Answer 5

As far as I know, fibromyalgia is a diagnosable disease. If you haven't been to the doctor yet, go!! Take your husband with you. That way he can argue with the doctor if he agrees with you. Besides, with a condition like that, regular doctor visits are important.

Answer 6

Sorry Spacey but your hubby sounds like a real jerk. Fibromyalgia is a condition where people who suffer it have a series of symptoms and are treated symptomatically for their problems.
Have your doctor lay down the law to him.

Answer 7

Ask him if he for real believes that 6.6 miljon hits on Google just is in some ones head, if he does not change, you would probably be better of divorsing him! How rude of him, I fully understands your pain! Such stupidness makes me realy angry!
He can read here, but maybee he cant read at all soooo ignorant! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibromyalgia

Answer 8

Hi Spacey


Here are some tips to help the healing process with your condition. #7 is the most important step.

Causes of Fibromyalgia
There is not one specific cause for primary fibromyalgia. Certain common features among fibromyalgia patients provide a better idea as to the primary factors that are involved in its onset, however. These include dental amalgam fillings, hormone imbalances, infection, neurotransmitter imbalances, sleep problems, problems with the thalamus gland, and physical trauma. Other factors that can play a role include chemical and food allergies and sensitivities, chronic stress, and dysfunctions in system.muscle metabolism.

Conventional physicians treat fibromyalgia primarily through the use of painkiller medications. Such an approach fails to address the multiple causes of fibromyalgia, and also carries with it the risk of serious side effects. In addition, this symptom care approach is typical of conventional medicine`s failure to properly understand chronic health conditions such as fibromyalgia, which explains why it so often fails to successfully treat such conditions. Practitioners of alternative medicine, on the other hand, focus their treatment approaches on the multiple factors involved in fibromyalgia in order to eliminate them, while simultaneously stimulating the body`s ability to repair itself. What follows is an overview of some of the most common therapies they employ in order to achieve those goals

Quick Action Plan for Fibromyalgia


1. A healthy, whole foods diet is an important part of any fibromyaglia treatment program. Emphasize organic foods, especially fresh, organic vegetables, and drink plenty of pure, filtered water throughout the day. For even more benefits, consider adopting a vegetarian diet, which has been shown to significantly reduce fibromyalgia symptoms.

2. Essential nutrients to help treat fibromyalgia include vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinimide (vitamin B3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA-an essential fatty acid), magnesium, selenium, zinc, and the lipotrophic factors inositol, methionine, and phosphatidyl choline. The nutritional supplements cetyl myristoleate and SAMe are also highly beneficial, as it the Meyers Cocktail, which must be administered by a trained health care practitioner.

3. Herbal remedies for fibromyalgia include cayenne and chamomile. An herbal combination of tinctures of black cohosh, celery, dandelion, devil`s claw, Echinacea, and licorice in equal parts, can also be helpful.

4. Homeopathic remedies for fibromyalgia include Arnica, Bryonia, and Rhus. Tox.

5. Various bodywork therapies, such as Massage, Acupressure, Bowen Therapy, Feldenkrais, myotherapy, Rolfing, Shiatsu, Therapeutic Touch, and Trigger Point Therapy, can provide significant relief of fibromyalgia pain and speed healing.

6. Mind/body medicine therapies such as biofeedback, guided imagery and visualization, hypnotherapy, and meditation, can help relieve chronic stress, thereby soothing muscle tension and reducing pain

7. Be sure to do a colon and liver cleanse to clean out the toxins in the colon and the blood. Most important step is cleansing and detoxifying the body.

Best of health to you

Answer 9

if hes a bumb one, see if it helps to speak in his language. for instence, try to relate your pain to a previous pain he has experienced

Answer 10

ummm
get him to meet ur dr
they do have a biopsy to test it
but its painful