First, Fibromyalgia is a CONDITION. Regardless of the many articles written by MD’S, Fibromyalgia is not an unknown health condition wrapped up in neurological mumbo jumbo. The problem that allopaths, MD’s, DO’s, have with the condition of Fibromyalgia is this disease cannot be diagnosed by the educational basis from which allopaths are trained. As a patient you go to your doctor with symptoms which might include a cough, sore throat, fever, aches and pains or whatever your body is suffering with. From this information your doctor may order some object test such as drawing of blood, urine, x-rays or whatever he may think will help him reach a proper diagnosis. That in a nut shell is the difference between Fibromyalgia and any other health condition. Fibromyalgia patients know that there is no objective test that validates their condition. Your doctor must listen and take the time to evaluate your entire system and the many symptoms that you discuss with him. If he only hears what he wants to hear you will be diagnosed with one of the many conditions that have similarities to Fibromyalgia. Such similar conditions as Chronic Fatigue, arthridities, hypothyroid and at least dozen more means you will be placed on medications for the wrong condition. Many of these medications have side effects that make your condition worse.
The history of Fibromyalgia can be traced back to biblical times. The symptoms were the same as those of the present day including whole body pain and stiffness, fatigue, sweats,sleep deprivation to name a few. This disease was considered a male condition.Doctors were as baffled as they are today on how to treat this disease. Throughout the early history of Fibromyalgia we obtained most of our studies from the military where soldiers were inflicted by this same condition and its symptoms. Military hospitals were split into those soldiers who had physical injures from battle and those who literally fell over in battle unable to function. Symptoms were the same as those of this unknown condition. Fibromyalgia went by many names and treatment was based upon the doctor who was treating you.
Not until WWII were women considered as possible patients with this unknown condition. Prior to this women who had Fibromyalgia symptoms were sent to sanitariums for mental rehabilitation or some times worse experimental surgery.
In 1990 the American College of Rheumatology produced the first viable research paper that actually validated and name the condition we know as Fibromyalgia. This research finally brought to the forefront information that was for centuries at the least misunderstood and at its worst filled with horrific experimental treatment. Most of which was done to females.
If you know of someone who has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia or is concerned about the possibility of having this condition seek out a doctor who knows about Fibromyalgia and understands how to differentiate Fibromyalgia from all other conditions and not to just place you on medications that more often than not will make your Fibromyalgia worse. There are non pharmaceutical answers to help you.
Yours in Health