Fibromyalgia Support Group

IBS is Common...very Common...we all handle our Stress in our Guts...FM is very Stressful...is the Only Link I can come up with at the Moment !!

Um...well, if we use a common theory about the fibro (that the pain is mostly caused by miscommunication between nerves in the body and the brain), it may be that our brain is sending strange signals to our bowels, or that our brain may be misinterpreting signals.

Other than that - I dunno. All I know is that its very common, and when I'm in a flare, my stomach tends to flare up as well. *shrugs*

Fibro is a mystery for the most part - we have theories, and are aware of symptoms and commonalities between sufferers, most of it is guess work. Here's hoping that we'll find out whats going on with our body's eventually, but I don't hold out too much hope for the info to be forthcoming very soon.

*hugs*

My current best guess - and that's all it is - is that both fibro and IBS are hormone-related at least in part, and that's why the common overlap between the two. We know from research that our brain chemicals are f**ked up, and hormones are just more chemicals.

My only real basis for this is that before I was diagnosed, for years I complained to my OB/GYN of "flu-like" symptoms with my periods, which I now know were related to fibro. During those times I also had IBS symptoms - so they are either related or have a similar root cause.

All just guesswork based on my own experience - but that's where all solutions start - by pooling knowledge and experience.

i think it's a combination of what Dakota and Calistal said.

This web site might explain it better. I'm not sure if IBS is the same as leaky gut but basicly the bacteria manages to get into the blood strem causing all kinds of problems.

http://www.neuro-vision.us/ad/Article/Vicious-Cycles-in-Chronic-Fatigue-Syndrome-and-Fibromyalgia--Leaky-Gut--the-Sympathetic-Nervous-System-and-the-Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Axis--Part-2/16544

I've searched for answers to this many times and do not have documentation to verify my suspicions - but - I can tell you that when I started a new medication (Savella) for my Fibromyalgia my IBS condition dramatically improved as well! When I told my rheumatologist this, she said "that's because it's all the same thing." (referring to IBS and Fibro) Interesting!

What I think - and it's only my opinion - but from reading and what I'm experiencing ... is that the nerve endings in our colon send pain signals that cause the IBS reactions -- much like the nerve endings all over our body are associated with the fibro pain reactions ---- and even further, for me, the nerve endings in the lining of my bladder also pick up signals of pain and thus, I also suffer from IC.

You inspire me to keep looking for the research that led me to this theory - and I hope to find it...and share....but the reality is, it's all still in the research stage.

For me, it seems to be nerve endings and pain receptors and signals that are being sent and received via them and the brain...it all is very much related in all three conditions...and sometimes medications are able to help treat multiple conditions. The Lyrica is also sometimes prescribed for IC. and I've heard Librax is sometimes prescribed for IBS and is helpful for IC.

Stress also participates in reactions in all of these conditions - so I also think DakotaRose has a valid observation as well.

If only we could all figure this out and explain it to those who define and prescribe!

this is another interesting web site on the ame thing.

http://www.prohealth.com/ME-CFS/li...

DakotaRose, Calistal, PeaceN2You, bluesun, Maryca and SisterKathy,
Thanks so much you guys! Your explanations and experiences made so much sense and I really appreciate your answering my questions. Thanks, too, Maryca for the links--I am going to go and read more. I found very interesting SisterKathy's doctor's comment about IBS and fibro being "all the same thing." I couldn't seem to make the connection in my fibro-fogged brain about what muscle pain all over has to do with the colon but now I understand better. You guys are great--thanks so much. Hugs to you all, Britt

I have fibro and IBS as well and most of the time, if I have a flare my IBS acts up as well. My understanding is that your colon is a smooth muscle and Librax is a smooth muscle relaxer. When your pain from fibro acts up it triggers irritability in your smooth muscles as well, hence the IBS attacks. Dunno if that makes sense or not.

Be careful with the Librax though. I cannot take it. That stuff makes me very irritable and mean.

I have had trouble with IBS for years and years. Before I found a doctor that was competent to connect all the dots and diagnose my Fibro- I was at the doctor's office weekly complaining of stomach problems and chronic fatigue and pain. I find it definitely gets worse when I am having a flare up. I go through months where I almost forget there is an IBS problem, and suddenly it's back again with a vengeance. I only wish they are figured it out sooner, as it would have saved me and my gastrologist a lot of time and testing :(