Fibromyalgia is REAL! Four ways to manage this disease

Within the medical field, not all physicians believe in the condition referred to as Fibromyalgia, but at The Arthritis & Infusion Center, when a patient tells Dr. Hulon Crayton that they hurt, he believes them! Unfortunately, there is no definitive way to diagnose Fibromyalgia, because there are no lab tests or x-rays that can determine this insipid disease. Therefore, Dr. Crayton does a thorough history of the patient in combination with a good physical. After reviewing the data, he listens to what the patient has to say about their symptoms and then asks them the right questions to finalize the most accurate assessment.

What IS Fibromyalgia? According to many medical experts, Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and body stiffness, which may be combined with feeling tired all the time. Another interesting fact is that this condition is most common in women under the age of 50. Dr. Crayton will examine your joints and muscles trying to determine tender points that are linked with this health condition. (It is not unusual for a patient to have between 11 and 18 tender areas within their body.) 

Symptoms include:

• A burning, or throbbing pain, in many parts of the body, which can vary during the day 
• Stiffness, or aching, all over the body
• Constant fatigue, even after a good night’s sleep, with a lack of energy 
• Tension or migraine headaches 
• Bowel issues

How can you manage this disease? According to The Arthritis Foundation,

1. Take tests to check your iron levels, vitamin D deficiency, and thyroid problems.

2. Follow your doctor’s orders! Depending on the test results, Dr. Crayton may suggest getting more exercise or starting certain supplements. What is most important is to follow the recommended course of action, but communicate with Dr. Crayton if the symptoms worsen or if you have a reaction to any part of the treatment.

3. Dr. Crayton often recommends that patients take over-the-counter pain relievers for discomfort. However, before he prescribes any medications, he needs to know ALL

medications you are currently taking to ensure there are no drug interactions.

4. If the condition is not diagnosed and treated early, symptoms can go on indefinitely, or they may disappear for months and then recur.

While the symptoms of Fibromyalgia may never totally go away, we try to work on the triggers within the patient’s environment to relieve some of their anxiety and pain. If you feel you may be a candidate for a consult regarding this “stealth disease”, we’d like to encourage you to call our office so that Fibromyalgia won’t be able to steal any more of your life. Remember what Dr. Crayton tells all his patients: “Pain is not normal. Let us help.”