Medical diagnosis is premised on the ability of a physician to make patients’ subjective symptoms objective and visible. Prescence of Fibromyalgia is determined subjectively, inexactly, and often as much by exclusion as inclusion. Thus a precise, accurate identification of Fibromyalgia is impossible. Because medical authority is premised on the ability to make patients’ subjective symptoms objectively and precisely visible, the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia remains medically precarious.
Fibromyalgia is not a disease. It’s a clinical “syndrome” represented by a collection of symptoms, such as chronic, widespread pain, and a host of other associated symptoms; including fatigue, headaches, sleep irregularities, irritable bowel syndrome, and noticeably increased sensitivity to stimuli.
Given the inability of medicine to diagnosis Fibromyalgia accurately and objectively, together with its ill-defined pathogenesis and treatment, it’s not surprising there is no uniform answer to this question. The existence of Fibromyalgia may be debated among rheumatolgists, but for those suffering from Fibromyalgia the pain is intense, the suffering constant, and quality of their lives greatly diminished.
Disorder of Fibromyalgia is not clearly understood. Symptoms may appear after a viral illiness, often after a traumatic physical accident, after extreme emotional distress, other times symptoms materialize for no apparent reason. Although Fibromyalgia tends to strike women more then men, people over 30 more than people under 30, even age and gender is not a consistent indicator.
Tender points are a primary indicator of Fibromyalgia. The body has virtually hundreds of tender points, however, the American College of Rheumatology declared there are 18 vital tender points on the body that are most important in determining whether or not an individual truly has Fibromyalgia. When these points are pressed with the finger of an instrument called a dolorimeter, at least 11 of them must be painful.
While the exact causes of fibromyalgia cannot be proven scientifically, there is no doubt fibromyalgia often onsets after very traumatic physical injuries. Car accidents, falls, injuries incurred while playing sports, or while at work can cause fibromyalgia. In terms of their profession, police officers and firemen, often injured in the line of duty, are two groups that suffer fibromyalgia disproprotionately to other trades or professions.
Some doctors claim the drug guaifenesin can treat fibromyalgia by removing excess phosphate from the body. The removal of the phosphate would supposedly lead to a reversal of all fibromyalgia symptoms, which would essentially be as close to a cure as possible. Clinical studies have not proven this to be the case.
Although there are hundreds of tender points on the body, American College of Rheumatology (ACR) decided 18 were important in determining Fibromyalgia. When these points are pressed with the finger of an instrument called a dolorimeter, at least 11 of them must be painful.
Given the inability of medicine to read Fibromyalgia objectively from the body, together with its ill-specified pathogenesis and treatment, it is not surprising there is no uniform answer to this question. The existence of Fibromyalgia may be debated among rheumatolgists, but for those suffering from Fibromyalgia the suffering is intense, the pain debilitating, and quality of life is seriously compromised.
Some doctors claim the drug guaifenesin can treat fibromyalgia by removing excess phosphate from the body. The removal of the phosphate would supposedly lead to a reversal of all fibromyalgia symptoms, which would essentially be as close to a cure as possible. Clinical studies have not proven this to be the case.