Thursday September 2, 2010
When you have fibromyalgia, it's fairly common for new symptoms to crop up and convince you that something else is wrong. Sometimes it's "just fibro," but other times, it really is something else.
One of the diseases I've suspected at times is multiple sclerosis. It's hard not to -- our symptom lists are nearly identical, both conditions are highly variable and hard to diagnose, and both can have flares and remissions.
My About.com colleague Julie Stachowiak, Guide to Multiple Sclerosis, recently posted a great answer to the question: Can people have fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis at the same time? While the short answer is "yes," there's a lot more to say on the subject. Read Julie's interesting and thorough article here:
Have you ever suspected multiple sclerosis? What symptoms had you wondering? Have you been tested for it? Leave your comments below!
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Wednesday September 1, 2010
Most, if not all, of us with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome have to live with symptoms of dysautonomia, which is dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. I recently took a poll on which dysautonomia symptoms are the most bothersome, and it got an unprecedented response. The poll is still open, but here are the results as of Aug. 31, 2010, with 4,300 responses:
- (Tie) Aches & pains/Fatigue - 14%
- Poor exercise tolerance - 11%
- Digestive problems - 10%
- (Tie) Sweating/Numbness & tingling - 9%
- Depression - 8%
- (Tie) Anxiety attacks/Dizziness & fainting - 7%
- Rapid heart rate - 6%
While this isn't a scientific poll, I do find it interesting that depression and anxiety attacks came in so low, when they get so much focus from the medical community. Perhaps doctors and researchers need to look more at some of the issues in the middle, which many of them don't even acknowledge.
You can still take the poll! It's here: Dysautonomia Symptoms Poll.
Do any of the results surprise you? Leave your comments below!
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Tuesday August 31, 2010
Do you find yourself dripping with sweat at odd times, for no apparent reason? This is one of those bizarre, confusing symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome that you don't see on those inadequate little symptoms lists. Doctors and researchers don't really bother themselves with it because we have so many bigger problems, but when you have to deal with this every day it can have a big impact on your life. Here are some of the comments I've seen:
"What exactly causes the excessive sweating? Is it hormonal, side effect of all my meds? or a combo of both? I don't bother to wear makeup in the summer because there is no point - it just melts off."
"I have a problem that I have not seen yet..unexplained excessive sweating...like just stepping out of the shower...hair dripping wet..clothes...soaked! ... It has put a big damper on my lifestyle."
"My limbs get so cold and painful during that time, and yet my face will be sweating from the heat inside."
"I can't stand too much heat either, my heart starts beating too fast, and I sweat profusely. I can be sweaty and my skin too cold at the same time!"
"I sweat heavily - especially from my head and neck - from the least exertion."
What Causes Excessive Sweating?
Several things could be responsible for our sweating, either on their own or in combination. They include:
The only cause that's "curable" is the medication side effect, and that may not be an attractive option to you if the drug is doing more good than harm. This is one of those symptoms we have to either live with or find ways to manage. One of the important things is to stay hydrated -- replace both the water and the electrolytes you sweat out, because dehydration is really no fun. And it can be hard for us to tell when we're dehydrated because the symptoms can be similar to some we already have. (You can find them here: Symptoms of Dehydration.)
My biggest sweat issue is on my forehead. It's generally worst right after I get out of the tub or shower, and it can get ridiculous if I blow my hair dry right away. Sometimes it stops with a thorough wipe-down, but other times it just keeps coming. On those days, I have to wear a hat because the front of my hair will look horrible. I often carry a hat with me in the summer, in case the sweating starts again. I've tried antiperspirant on my forehead and in my hairline, but it does nothing to help.
I think mine comes from both heat sensitivity and autonomic dysfunction. My body seems to "hold on" to heat too much, and then my system can't regulate itself properly to turn off the flow once it starts.
What triggers your sweating? Do you have an idea what causes it? Does anything help? Leave your comments below!
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Sunday August 29, 2010
Vitamin D is one of the most frequently recommended supplements for people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, and with good reason. But is your supplement doing enough for you?
Vitamin D is responsible for a host of functions in your body -- bone health, cellular replication, insulin production, immune function, heart heath ... the list goes on and on. Deficiencies are linked to all kinds of symptoms and illnesses, including chronic pain, muscle weakness, arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and autoimmunity. It also makes you need up to twice as much of an opiate pain killer.
Now get this -- at least one study has shown that about 25% of us with these conditions are deficient. Odds are good that many more of us aren't technically deficient, but in the lower end of the "normal" range.
For years now, I've been taking 1,250 I.U. of vitamin D every day. I also make sure to get at least a little sunlight on a regular basis and I try to eat foods that contain it. But get this -- my levels are consistently in that low end. Some researchers believe we have problems properly absorbing nutrients, and I have to think there's something to that.
A lot of doctors refuse to treat people who are on the low end, but technically not deficient, when it comes to lots of things (vitamins, hormones, etc.) Fortunately, my doctor isn't one of them. My fibromyalgia symptoms are pretty well controlled, yet while several types of pain have diminished, I still have a huge amount of muscle pain. She looked back at my test results and saw that my vitamin D tended to be barely in range and had me tested again. The nurse later called to tell me that the "acceptable" range is 30-100, and I came in at 39. The doctor had told me she's seeing muscle pain drop off in a lot of patients when she gets them up to about 60 or 70.
I've just started a prescription mega-dose of vitamin D -- 50,000 I.U. twice a week for 6 weeks, then 2,000 daily after that, along with periodic re-checks. After just 2 doses, I have to say, I'm feeling better overall. My head is clearer, I'm sleeping better, waking up easier, and yes, my muscle pain isn't nearly as bad as it was a few days ago.
That said, I certainly don't advocate upping your own supplementation to extreme levels! There's a reason these mega-doses are by prescription only -- too much vitamin D is potentially toxic. What I do suggest is asking your doctor to check your levels, treat a deficiency, and, if you're on the low end of normal, talk about options.
So what if you're on the lower end and your doctor won't treat you? Some people may decide to up their supplements, and if that's what you do, please be careful! Know the side effects of too much and keep a close eye on yourself. Even if your doctor doesn't agree with what you're doing, TELL HIM/HER ABOUT IT and ask to be rechecked a couple of months down the road. Decisions about your health care are yours to make, but keeping your doctor informed can help you avoid potentially serious problems.
Get more information, including dietary sources and side effects:
Do you have a vitamin D problem? Have you been treated for deficiency or being on the low end of normal? What did it do for you? Leave your comments below!
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