Frequently Asked Questions About Fibromyalgia

A:    A chronic illness characterized by immense physical pain and debilitating fatigue. There are a variety of symptoms, but not every patient has them all.

A:    Yes and no. Estimates are the fibromyalgia affects “only” about 5%-8% of Americans; 80% of those being women. Still that’s upwards of twenty million people!

A: Fibromyalgia means “muscle and connective tissue pain.” It is classified by the presence of enduring, widespread pain and a heightened and painful response to even a gentle touch. Causes can include:

• Excess phosphate and calcium accumulating in the cells: phosphate helps to regulate the amount of calcium in your system, but an excess amount can actually impair bones and lead to undue aging.
• Too much calcium: this can stimulate your muscles constantly. That leads to muscle fatigue and aches so common in fibromyalgia patients.
• Between the two, fibromyalgia patients experience pain, fatigue and lack of energy.
• These conditions are aggravated by the adrenal glands inability to produce adequate amounts of certain key hormones putting a strain on the immune system. This is called adrenal fatigue.
• From research fibromyalgia condition may be triggered by some physical and emotional trauma and often by a combination of these.

A:    No. Diagnosing fibromyalgia using traditional methods can take several years.

A: Chronic high levels of pain are the most common symptom of fibromyalgia. But painkillers just mask the symptoms. Besides, you cannot maintain high levels of painkillers without potentially causing long-term damage to your liver and other organs. And you’re surely aware of the opioid epidemic now rampant.

A:    These are normally passive areas that do not display the usual pain/inflammation symptoms like swelling, warmth or redness, but where you do feel pain if you press on them (with a probe or finger) with about 10 lbs. of pressure. Tender Points are one indication of fibromyalgia.

A: While high levels of stress can sometimes be a trigger for fibromyalgia, the reverse is more often true: depression frequently results from living with high levels of pain. Fibromyalgia exists in your body, not your head.

A: Fibromyalgia has never been shown to be the specific cause of death. One problem is that fibromyalgia patients sometimes experience tightness in the chest, pressure on the upper torso, tingling and numbness in the arms or on the upper body. These symptoms can mask a serious condition, like heart attack or stroke. Fibromyalgia patients should not to take these symptoms lightly, but should seek medical evaluation. A managed cure for fibromyalgia, like that of Dr. Muhich, will end this fear.

A:  That varies according to the physician. Some prescribe pharmaceuticals. Some prescribe holistic or homeopathic medicines. Some prescribe acupuncture or massage. None of these is fully effective.

A:    By cutting suspected physical and environmental factors from your life and meals, then gradually reintroducing them until the causative factors are found and eliminated.

A:    Weeks, as opposed to years.

A:    Why would you? Would you prefer to keep the pain? Dr. Muhich’s program won’t be the easiest thing you’ve ever done, but the peace and ease that result are so worth it.