My Take on Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, and Chronic Pain…and the sad truth too
I believe that fibromyalgia is a real diagnosis. I also believe that Chronic fatigue is very real and that both of these illnesses can be something that co-exists or perhaps not. What makes me sad, is that it seems some medical entities do not believe in these illnesses from some comments I have seen posted in various blogs. Posters who identify themelves on such blogs as medical personnel really have an issue with people that have Chronic Pain, Fibromyalgia,Obesity and even migraines. It makes me sad really to see that people can be so hateful.
I am not going to provide research, or links, of information about any of these conditions. I am just going to write what I think. If people don’t agree with me, not much I can do about it. I do believe Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are real…but I also believe that doctors sometimes put patients in these categories without doing further testing to test for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, autoimmune disease, and even longstanding chronic viral illness. It is a shame really in this day and age that people still cannot get a diagnosis sometimes after waiting years and years and years.
Say for example they see a patient who has raynauds and other symptoms and some borderline results. They will not and probably cannot give the Patient a diagnosis of an autoimmune disease unless the lab work and signs are florid, so instead they may label the patient as having fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome instead of doing more labwork later on, or even further testing.
I have a real problem with an illness that some doctors and medical personnel consider as fake or overdiagnosed…yet they are the ones diagnosing it. IT seems just a tiny bit peculiar to me.
I agree with much of what you say… fibro and chronic fatigue are SYNDROMES, i.e. symptoms that occur together…they are very real and i believe now the most prevalent and debilitating chronic illnesses. Two things need to happen before people will get well…drs and society in general need to understand that these illnesses are real, as you said; also they need to understand that there are many causes for them and in order for those suffering with one or both, drs must address the root cause of the illness and not bandaid symnptoms with meds that don’t work and make things worse.
I blog about this and other chronic illness at http://www.chronicillnessfrontiers.com
Just know…there is now another person you’ve found who believes these are VERY real!!
the icarecafe would really like your help with a discussion on Fibromyalgia
As you many know the icarecafe has been set up to provide a space for patients, carers and their supporters online.
Some of the members have set up a discussion group on the subject of Fibromyagia. The group has asked lots of questions which are still in the process of being answered. So we thought it appropriate if we invited people from other Fibromyalgia discussion group and blogs to ask if they wished to participate.
To have a look at the discussions so far please have a look at
http://www.icarecafe.com/?page_id=1107&group_id=36
Please do feel free to join in the discussions and to post any information which might be of interest to our members.
If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch. I’m one of the moderators of the icarecafe and I can be contacted by sending and internal email to my profile.
Thanks very much in advance for your help!
Best wishes
Belinda Shale
Moderator – the icarecafe
http://www.icarecafe.com