Research Brief
A review of scientific studies shows that the high rate of depression in people with fibromyalgia is due elements of neurobiology that deal with both pain and mood.
Researchers say that the vast majority of studies examined showed an association between fibromyalgia and depression. (While all chronic disease can lead to depression, rates tend to be higher in fibromyalgia than in similarly debilitating conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis.)
The review concludes that the multiple common physiological characteristics shared by depression and fibromyalgia are responsible for the large overlap. Researchers say this provides a framework for understanding the relationship and also sheds light on appropriate treatment avenues.
One of the key commonalities between the two conditions is neurotransmitter dysregulation.
For a look at other factors that likely contribute to depression in fibromyalgia, as well as the treatment option being promoted by one medical organization, see: Therapy or Pills for Depression in Fibromyalgia?
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From the article: Dopamine – From Parkinson’s Disease to Fibromyalgia by Andrew J Holman MD
Dopamine and Symptoms of Depression
“In contrast to believing fibromyalgia to be a psychiatric disease, unraveling fibromyalgia, autonomic regulation and dopamine regulation may begin to explain psychiatry. ”
Some interesting reading: http://inmedix.com/pdfs/PDtoFMS.pdf
I find the paper mentioned by Rachel, (above), to be very important. It gives me hope that our illness will be understood and treated some time soon.
You know, I’ve been sick with fibromyalgia since my early 40′s, and now, in my early 70′s, I can hope again. My help has been by taking Xyrem, so that I can get the deep and restorative sleep of stages 3 & 4 that I cannot get on my own.
Again, this paper, though it relates to Parkinson’s, speaks about our autonomic dyregulation that we all feel. Even the psychological parts, panic, anxiety, depression. And our digestive issues, sweating, the whole ball of wax! And our problems with temperature changes.
What a relief, to see all our symptoms listed and attended to. Thank you for this posting, and do continue to post it, please.
Having had fibro for four years I do a lot of research for myself not being prepared to accept just the doctors advice… I have been taking tyrosine for about a year and a half now. Of all the supplements I have tried, tyrosine has given me the most noticeable benefit. After testing different amounts, I generally take 1500mg (3 capsules) in the morning and found it increased my cognition and energy by about 40%. I have fibro fog constantly and not related to flares. I believe this might be due to also having psoriatic arthritis. Anyway, when I found tyrosine I was able to created a diagram for my pscologist showing her differences from normal to fibro, then fibro with tyrosine. This was for my cognitive and memory and also my energy levels. Prior to tyrosine I didnt often know which day of the week it was let alone being able to create specific diagrams. Now I nearly always know the day of the week and when my energy was increased so dramatically I was able to do things I hadnt done for years. I am in Australia and find a lot of things hard or expensive to buy here so I buy all my supplements from the U.S. http://www.swansonvitamins.com Please try tyrosine, it is so inexpensive and makes such a difference. Hugs to you, Ali xx
My comments on tyrosine are related to the first comment on dopamine, if you havent read the article link on the first comment mine wont mean much. Please read that first, thank you to Rachel for your link, I have saved that PDF and added it to my research collection.
hugs!!
Ali xx
Abot and Ali: Glad you both found the information from Dr Andrew Holman’s paper “Dopamine From Parkinson’s Disease to Fibromyalgia” of interest.. Even though I have ME/CFS, not FM, I found the paper related very much to my condition also. Like Ali, I supplement with tyrosine too, but in much smaller doses (150-300mgs in the morning). I have always had to take smaller doses of most supplements and medications, but like Ali it was a break-through for me in controlling many of my ME/CFS symptoms.
All the best
Rachael
Just an after thought on something Abot Bensussen said:
“What a relief, to see all our symptoms listed and attended to.”
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From the paper: “Patients with fibromyalgia describe so much more than just sleep disturbance, fatigue, muscle spasm, and pain. Many other organ systems under the control of the autonomic nervous system are misbehaving. Temperature regulation, sweat glands, gastric acidity, bowel motility, heart rate, blood pressure, and stress responses are often problematic.”
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So true! To see that someone (Dr Holman) connected the dots and could see the Big Picture was most inspiring. Rheumatologists, Gastroenterologists, Sleep Experts, Psychiatrists, Infectious Disease Specialists etc all deal with fibromyalgia from their own perspective. In fibromyalgia we are not dealing with just one symptom (pain), but a whole host of symptoms, a whole package, many that fall under the control of dopamine receptors..
Video: Central Autonomic Nervous System Regulation, Dopamine Agonists and Fibromyalgia Dr Andrew Holman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwb1XJiNQcc
Rachael et al…….
Thanks for the good info. It’s taken me awhile to get through the article, but the gist of it sure makes sense. I’ll watch the video, too.
Since I struggled with depression and ptsd before FM, I can’t separate the variables. It’s hopeful to me in some way when I hear that PTSD and other symptoms can be influenced by the ans arousal issues. Now, just to get mainstream medicine to listen to doctors like this.
Be well………