Four Myths About Fibromyalgia Syndrome Debunked

You've been to the doctor and, after several medical examinations; you have just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome. What next? You may often have heard that fibromyalgia changes lives. It's true. For you to cope up with the symptoms of this condition, there are several lifestyle changes that you actually have to put some effort into. But before everything else, you first need to have an in-depth understanding of your condition. That includes knowing the truths, half-truths, and myths about it. Most of these myths have been so widespread you've come to accept them as truth. Below are the most common myths about fibromyalgia and the real score behind them.

Myth: Fibromyalgia threatens your life.

Truth: The pain may not go away for good and it may even feel worse at times, but fibromyalgia does not damage your bones, muscles, or joints, as long as you do not slack around and keep them in use. Research has proven that people who engage in light exercises, such as walking, feel that their pain does not worsen and has even improved. There are also pain management techniques that have been developed specifically for you so that you can learn to not only cope with but control the pain in your body.

Myth: There are no treatments for fibromyalgia syndrome.

Truth: The Food and Drug Administration has already approved three drugs for treating fibromyalgia pain, namely pregabalin, duloxetine, and milnacipran. Other drugs are also being developed and are up for approval by the FDA. Doctors also prescribe non-narcotic pain relievers and, sometimes, anti-depressants for those who experience mood problems because of their condition. Better sleep habits are also recommended and were proven to improve sleep for patients. Treatment can also be accompanied by natural complementary remedies such as physical therapy, water therapy, yoga, acupuncture, light aerobics, aromatherapy, biofeedback, nutritional supplements, or chiropractic.

Myth: Fibromyalgia is not a real condition.

Truth: Fibromyalgia syndrome is exactly that, a syndrome, which is a condition characterized by a number of symptoms. Doctors do not consider it as a disease because they cannot find anything specific to cure. This does not mean, though, that doctors will not take your condition seriously. On the contrary, they do recognize just how complicated fibromyalgia is and will take lengths to understand the literal pain their patient is going through.

Myth: If this is fibromyalgia, then the other things I am experiencing are different.

Truth: Fibromyalgia is characterized by a number of symptoms. This means pain is not the only sign of this condition. It is only the one that is most characteristic of it. The other symptoms of fibromyalgia are extreme fatigue, lack of sleep, dizziness, headaches, sensitivity to light, numbness in your limbs, memory loss, irritable bowel syndrome, bladder problems, depression, and anxiety. Not all of these symptoms appear in all patients, and not all patients experience any of the other symptoms at all. You need to have the other symptoms treated separately, but they should not be a cause of worry.

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