Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
I went to my doctors yesterday and he'd found some recently published research into the causes of fibromyalgia. Thought you might be interested...
http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/news/20070931002042_health_news.shtml
31 October 2007
New Understanding Of Fibromyalgia
The pain experienced by fibromyalgia sufferers is the result of a mismatch between sensory and motor systems, suggests new research in the journal Rheumatology.
The novel experiment that led to these findings involved patients looking at a reflection of one arm whilst moving their other arm in a different direction which was hidden behind the mirror. This created a mismatch between what the brain sees via sensory input and what it feels through the motor system that controls movement.
The patients reported feeling a transient increase in pain, temperature change or heaviness in their hidden limb - all symptoms of a "flare up" of their condition. This suggests that a mismatch between sensory and motor neurons could be at the root of the fibromyalgia.
"The chronic pain experienced by people with fibromyalgia is hard to understand because there are no obvious clinical signs that pain should be experienced," said Dr Candy McCabe, one of the researchers involved in the University of Bath study. "We have shown that by confusing the motor and sensory systems we can exacerbate the symptoms felt by people diagnosed with the condition."
McCabe added that the findings add to a growing body of evidence that many of the symptoms of this common disorder may be perpetuated, or even triggered, by this sensory-motor conflict. "We have had some success to date in using a similar technique to help alleviate the symptoms of this kind of chronic pain. This works by helping the brain to see a limb moving freely without pain - although in reality it is a reflection of their pain-free limb," she explained.
People with fibromyalgia complain of widespread pain, multiple tender points, stiffness, sleep disturbance and fatigue. The new study provides strong evidence that sensory-motor conflict is at the heart of the condition.
Ninety percent of those affected by fibromyalgia are women. In most cases it develops between the ages of 30 and 60, but it can develop in people of any age, including children and the elderly.
Source: University of Bath
http://www.aphroditewomenshealth.com/news/20070931002042_health_news.shtml
31 October 2007
New Understanding Of Fibromyalgia
The pain experienced by fibromyalgia sufferers is the result of a mismatch between sensory and motor systems, suggests new research in the journal Rheumatology.
The novel experiment that led to these findings involved patients looking at a reflection of one arm whilst moving their other arm in a different direction which was hidden behind the mirror. This created a mismatch between what the brain sees via sensory input and what it feels through the motor system that controls movement.
The patients reported feeling a transient increase in pain, temperature change or heaviness in their hidden limb - all symptoms of a "flare up" of their condition. This suggests that a mismatch between sensory and motor neurons could be at the root of the fibromyalgia.
"The chronic pain experienced by people with fibromyalgia is hard to understand because there are no obvious clinical signs that pain should be experienced," said Dr Candy McCabe, one of the researchers involved in the University of Bath study. "We have shown that by confusing the motor and sensory systems we can exacerbate the symptoms felt by people diagnosed with the condition."
McCabe added that the findings add to a growing body of evidence that many of the symptoms of this common disorder may be perpetuated, or even triggered, by this sensory-motor conflict. "We have had some success to date in using a similar technique to help alleviate the symptoms of this kind of chronic pain. This works by helping the brain to see a limb moving freely without pain - although in reality it is a reflection of their pain-free limb," she explained.
People with fibromyalgia complain of widespread pain, multiple tender points, stiffness, sleep disturbance and fatigue. The new study provides strong evidence that sensory-motor conflict is at the heart of the condition.
Ninety percent of those affected by fibromyalgia are women. In most cases it develops between the ages of 30 and 60, but it can develop in people of any age, including children and the elderly.
Source: University of Bath
-
theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
-
I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
I also seem to bump into things quite a lot but don't know if that's relevant!!
It seems that there's a fair bit of research going on into fm but a lot of it is exploring different paths. I guess when so little's known about the condition there's lots of avenues to go down, particularly when the condition itself is so complex. Also I spose they don't even know if there's just one reason for FM or a whole host of reasons.
If you follow the link for that article then scroll down to the bottom there's some other articles you may find interesting.
Kate
xx