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Tag: Fibromyalgia

An in-depth guide on Fibromyalgia, covering its symptoms, causes, treatments, and tips for managing this chronic condition effectively.

How Amitriptyline May Help People With Fibromyalgia

Over the years, various medications have undergone evaluation for use in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Those medications include muscle relaxants, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), sedatives, and tricylic antidepressants.

Tricylic antidepressants actually have some history in the treatment of fibromyalgia. In fact, several of these antidepressants are used in the treatment of the condition. Nortriptyline, doxepin, and amitriptyline are all used in the treatment of fibromyalgia. When used for fibromyalgia, in particular, it has been demonstrated in studies to be the most efficient antidepressant for treating the condition.

About amitriptyline for fibromyalgia

Amitriptyline is, as mentioned, a type of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) used for treating clinical depression. As a result, it’s considered the most common TCA used around the world.

The antidepressant was originally developed by Merck and was first synthesized in 1960. It was later approved by the Food and Drug Administration in April 1961.

This medication works as an inhibitor of the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. The medication’s mechanism of action acts strongly on the serotonin transporter, while it causes a moderate effect on the norepinephrine transporter. It doesn’t do anything to affect the dopamine transporter, however.

Amitriptyline is used for several medical conditions, including its FDA-approved use for major depressive disorder. That doesn’t stop other medical resources from claiming it plays a role in assisting recovery from other similar conditions.

Amitriptyline is even said to act more efficiently than other antidepressants when treating disorders. Interestingly enough, it is actually passed over for other newer antidepressants, since it is known to cause side effects and can get very toxic if consumed to overdose.

Antidepressants and fibromyalgia

Various medications are used to treat symptoms of fibromyalgia. The most common medications include painkillers, sleeping pills, and various antidepressants. Antidepressants are said to help treat fibromyalgia symptoms originating from the dysfunction of the brain’s regular functions.

Antidepressants, especially tricylic antidepressants, have been used in the treatment of fibromyalgia for years. Tricylic antidepressants are actually some of the oldest antidepressants on the market and have been utilized in fibromyalgia treatments for years.

Tricylic antidepressants like amitriptyline work by boosting the levels of the brain’s chemicals or neurotransmitters. When the levels of neurotransmitters are boosted, it prevents the brain from succumbing to impairment in its natural function. These antidepressants mainly boost the neurochemicals serotonin and norepinephrine. After taking these antidepressants, people with chronic pain typically feel much better, since they are known to have lower levels of those aforementioned neurotransmitters present in their brain.

Tricylic antidepressants also play a role in helping relax pain-ridden muscles. It also boosts the body’s natural painkiller, also known as endorphins. Even though these medications have positive results for conditions like fibromyalgia, they have various side effects that might make them hard to take on a regular basis.

Interestingly enough, the tricylic antidepressants that are prescribed for fibromyalgia include duloxetine, milnacipran and venlafaxine. Both duloxetine and milnacipran are already approved by the Food and Drug Administration for fibromyalgia treatment.

Venlafaxine has less research and, therefore, evidence supporting it as an effective treatment. Other antidepressants that have been studied and proposed as potential fibromyalgia treatments include citalopram, paroxetine, and fluoxetine.

Amitriptyline falls in the category of relative untested tricylic antidepressants without further support as a fibromyalgia treatment. Though, it hasn’t stopped researchers from studying it and its potential as an effective treatment for fibromyalgia.

Studies on Amitriptyline

Antidepressants have been used to treat chronic pain disorders for years. Even though that’s true, only a limited amount of studies exist covering how tricylic antidepressants help people treat their fibromyalgia symptoms.

According to information collected about fibromyalgia and antidepressants, antidepressants like tricyclic antidepressants ‘produced mild to moderate improvements in [fibromyalgia] symptoms.’ In controlled studies, it was found that as much as ‘one-third to half of the monitored patients responded to medication-based treatment.

There was one study that had tested the effects of amitriptyline and fluoxetine on patients with fibromyalgia. Patients in that study were given 25 mg of amitriptyline, while others were given 20 mg of fluoxetine.

As a result, the patients found that either medication helped reduce their fibromyalgia symptoms. Patients who took both medications found that the combination was actually ‘twice as effective than just taking one medication alone.

The dosages used for amitriptyline for fibromyalgia are much lower than the usual doses for treating depression. In most cases, the dosage can be started at as low as 10 mg each day, taken 2 to 3 hours before going to sleep. This allows the patient to take advantage of the medication’s sedative effects without experiencing those same effects when awake.

Another study of amitriptyline followed 70 different patients with the condition with fibromyalgia. The study’s main purpose evaluated the effectiveness of a regular 50 mg dose for fibromyalgia.

The results of the study revealed some interesting data. The patients who had received the regular 50 mg dose for fibromyalgia saw a ‘significant improvement in their sleep quality, morning stiffness, and pain thresholds.’ The ‘tender point score’ taken at the time didn’t improve.

Newer studies concerning the drug for fibromyalgia patients follow the newest iteration of fibromyalgia criteria. A complication of data from other studies about the medication found that ‘amitriptyline for fibromyalgia can continue to be used for [neuropathic pain] treatment, but most patients won’t achieve enough pain relief.’

Various studies collected in the complication lasted as long as 6 weeks (on average). They also tested anywhere from 15 to as many as 100 participants, with four of the studies hosting over 100 participants. Each study administered doses between 15 mg to 125 mg.

Some studies gradually increased the dose during selected intervals of the study trial. Overall, no concrete evidence was found to support amitriptyline as an effective treatment for fibromyalgia. Some studies did find that it may play a role in reducing some neuropathic pain, such as the pain associated with fibromyalgia.

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10/24/2023
Tom Petty’s Cause of Death: Accidental Overdose Medication Opioid Chronic Pain

After months of speculation, a medical examiner has ruled that Tom Petty died of an accidental overdose, according to a statement from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. The Hall of Fame musician had taken several pain medications, including Fentanyl, oxycodone, and generic Xanax. Other medications included generic Restoril (a sleep aid) and generic Celexa (which treats depression).

The Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks, and more pay tribute to a genius craftsman who never stopped believing in the power of rock & roll

The coroner’s office listed Petty’s official cause of death as “multisystem organ failure due to resuscitated cardiopulmonary arrest due to mixed drug toxicity,” noting the singer suffered from coronary artery atherosclerosis and emphysema.

Petty had been prescribed the drugs to treat emphysema, knee issues, and a fractured hip, his family said in a statement accompanying the results. Petty’s coronary artery disease had been a persistent problem throughout his final tour.

“Despite this painful injury, he insisted on keeping his commitment to his fans and he toured for 53 dates with a fractured hip and, as he did, it worsened to a more serious injury,” Petty’s wife Dana and daughter Adria wrote in the statement. “On the day he died, he was informed his hip had graduated to a full-on break and it is our feeling that the pain was simply unbearable and was the cause for his overuse of medication.”

Petty was found unconscious and not breathing at his Malibu home on October 2nd. He was rushed to a hospital where he was placed on life support. Although he had a pulse, doctors found no brain activity when he arrived and the decision was made to pull life support. He died hours later.

The singer had recently completed a 40th-anniversary tour with his band, the Heartbreakers. It was intended to be his “last trip around the country,” though he told Rolling Stone he wasn’t going to stop playing. “I need something to do, or I tend to be a nuisance around the house,” he said.

Petty said he’d experimented with cocaine over the years (“[It] was never a good look,” he told Men’s Journal) and drinking (“I didn’t like the taste or the buzz,” he said). But it was in the late Nineties, when he was in his late 40s and two decades after he’d become a superstar, that he developed an addiction to heroin after a bitter divorce from his first wife. “Tried to go cold turkey, and that wouldn’t work,” he said in author Warren Zanes’ book Petty: The Biography. “It’s an ugly fucking thing.” He sought out treatment for his addiction and remarried in 2001.

“Using heroin went against my grain,” Petty said in the book. “I didn’t want to be enslaved to anything. So I was always trying to figure out how to do less, and then that wouldn’t work. Tried to go cold turkey, and that wouldn’t work. It’s an ugly fucking thing.”

Since his death, several artists have paid tribute to Petty onstage. Country artist Jason Aldean dedicated some of his time as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live to sing “I Won’t Back Down.” Bob Dylan performed Petty’s “Learning to Fly” at a concert in Broomfield, Colorado. And Dave Matthews, Emmylou Harris, and others sang “Refugee” at a benefit show in Seattle. Petty’s Greatest Hits album subsequently made it to the Number Two spot on the Billboard chart after his death.

He was laid to rest on October 16th at a private service in Pacific Palisades, California.

Petty’s family said they hope the musician’s death leads to a broader understanding of the opioid crisis. “As a family, we recognize this report may spark a further discussion on the opioid crisis and we feel that it is a healthy and necessary discussion and we hope in some way this report can save lives,” they wrote. “Many people who overdose begin with a legitimate injury or simply do not understand the potency and deadly nature of these medications.”

Full Statement from Dana and Adria Petty

Our family sat together this morning with the medical examiner – coroner’s office and we were informed of their final analysis that Tom Petty passed away due to an accidental drug overdose as a result of taking a variety of medications.

Unfortunately, Tom’s body suffered from many serious ailments including emphysema, knee problems, and most significantly a fractured hip.

Despite this painful injury he insisted on keeping his commitment to his fans and he toured for 53 dates with a fractured hip and, as he did, it worsened to a more serious injury.

On the day he died he was informed his hip had graduated to a full-on break and it is our feeling that the pain was simply unbearable and was the cause for his overuse of medication.

We knew before the report was shared with us that he was prescribed various pain medications for a multitude of issues including fentanyl patches and we feel confident that this was, as the coroner found, an unfortunate accident.

As a family, we recognize this report may spark a further discussion on the opioid crisis and we feel that it is a healthy and necessary discussion and we hope in some way this report can save lives. Many people who overdose begin with a legitimate injury or simply do not understand the potency and deadly nature of these medications.

On a positive note we now know for certain he went painlessly and beautifully exhausted after doing what he loved the most, for one last time, performing live with his unmatchable rock band for his loyal fans on the biggest tour of his 40 plus year career. He was extremely proud of that achievement in the days before he passed.

We continue to mourn with you and marvel at Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker’s incredible positive impact on music and the world. And we thank you all for your love and support over the last months.

Thank you also for respecting the memory of a man who was truly great during his time on this planet both publicly and privately.

We would be grateful if you could respect the privacy of the entire Heartbreaker family during this difficult time.

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10/23/2023
BLUE BADGE PARKING PERMITS TO BE ROLLED OUT TO PEOPLE WITH HIDDEN DISABILITIES, GOVERNMENT PROPOSES

People with hidden disabilities could soon be entitled to blue badge parking permits under Department for Transport (DfT) plans. The Government said the proposals would make it easier for people with conditions such as dementia, Fibromyalgia, Lupus, and autism to travel to work, socialize, and access shops and services.

It is hoped the move – which would be the biggest change to the blue badge scheme since it was introduced in 1970 – would help create parity in the treatment of physical and mental health.

The DfT said councils have different interpretations of existing rules with only some recognizing hidden disabilities.

The new policy is designed to provide “clear and consistent” guidelines. Around 2.4 million disabled people in England have a blue badge.

This enables them to park free of charge in pay and display bays and for up to three hours on yellow lines, while in London they exempt holders from having to pay the congestion charge.

Around three out of four blue badge holders say they would go out less often if they did not have one, according to the DfT.

Transport minister Jesse Norman said: “Blue badges give people with disabilities the freedom to get jobs, see friends or go to the shops with as much ease as possible.

“We want to try to extend this to people with invisible disabilities, so they can enjoy the freedom to get out and about, where and when they want.”

The changes being put to an eight-week public consultation also include blue badge assessments being carried out by a greater variety of healthcare professionals who can spot if mental health is causing mobility issues.

Sarah Lambert, head of policy at the National Autistic Society, welcomed the proposal and said amending parking permit access could be “a lifeline” for many autistic people, who often do not qualify under current regulations.

Autistic people can suffer anxiety from not being able to park in a predictable place close to their destination, and some can “experience too much information” from the environment around them on public transport, Ms. Lambert said.

“We hope the Government will make this important change and we look forward to working with them to make sure that autistic people and their families benefit.”

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10/22/2023
How does Medical Cannabis Help Fibromyalgia?

Cannabis, also known by many other names, is a derivative of the Cannabis plant that is popularly used as a psychoactive drug and medication. This controversial drug, which many would know it as weed or marijuana, has taken a bad rap due to it being exploited for recreational purposes. However, apart from being the star of a party, Cannabis has many medical purposes including treating fibromyalgia.

What is Medical Cannabis

This refers to cannabis in the form of medication, rather than for recreational purposes. It is said to be useful in treating several diseases and medical problems, ranging from nausea resulting from chemotherapy to glaucoma’s high ocular pressure. Cannabis contains a wide variety of chemicals that has many applications. Fibromyalgia is one medical condition that it has proved to be highly effective in.

How does Medical Cannabis Work?

The Cannabis plant contains a wide variety of compounds that can affect both the brain and the rest of the body. The body is affected by a category of compounds termed cannabinoids that bind and interact with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors. Of them, the most well-known cannabinoid is THC, which is responsible for cannabis’ classic effects, among the 85 other cannabinoids in this plant.

Where fibromyalgia is concerned, however, THC is the most important cannabinoid as it binds with the brain’s cannabinoid receptors that help to relieve the pain associated with fibromyalgia. THC also helps the patient relax and get over their feeling of exhaustion.

How is Medical Cannabis Administered?

Patients use a vaporizer in order to heat cannabis to the point of vaporization of the active ingredients of the plant. This provides the same effect and relief as smoking cannabis but eliminates the risks of smoking. Hence, medical cannabis is a more controlled and low-risk treatment as compared to its recreational form.

How does Medical Cannabis Help Fibromyalgia?

Cannabis helps fibromyalgia patients by helping ease muscle stiffness and pain. For this, a strong variant of cannabis is recommended. However, it should be used with care and in controlled dosage as prescribed by a doctor as it could cause side effects like heavy drowsiness. Researchers on patients with fibromyalgia found that those who took cannabis were significantly better in mind and body than those who did not take it. They also found that it relieved fibromyalgia patients of pain to the extent of 50%.

Nabilone an Alternative to Medical Cannabis for Fibromyalgia

Looking at the map above, it is obvious that not all of us are fortunate to live in a medical marijuana legalized state. However, the good news for those who reside in places that do not legalize the use of medical marijuana is, a synthetic medical marijuana pill, Nabilone, was found to work successfully in reducing the pain and anxiety of fibromyalgia comparably. Well, the bad news is, in areas where medical marijuana is legal, many find that it is more economical and effective than Nabilone.

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10/21/2023
Chronic Pain Patient Abandoned by Doctor Dies

This will be the first Christmas that Tammi Hale spends without her husband Doug in over 30 years.

The 53-year old Vermont man, who suffered chronic pain from interstitial cystitis, committed suicide in October after his doctor abruptly cut him off from opioid pain medication.

“His primary care provider kept trying to wean him off his opioid therapy, which worked at higher doses,” says Tammi. “My husband ran out (of medication) early a few times, so the doctor cut him off completely one day. Six weeks later he took his life as no medical establishment would treat his chronic pain.”

We’re telling Doug Hale’s story, as we have those of other pain patients who’ve committed suicide because their deaths have been ignored or lost in the public debate over the nation’s so-called opioid epidemic. Patients who were safely taking high doses of opioids for years are suddenly being cut off or tapered to lower doses. Some are being abandoned by their doctors.

“I believe it will get worse with time. The docs are simply more interested in not risking their licenses than in treating chronic pain,” Tammi wrote to Pain News Network in a series of emails about her husband’s death.

Depression and suicidal thoughts are common for many people living with chronic pain and illness. According to a recent survey of over a thousand pain patients, nearly half have contemplated suicide.

But the problem appears to have grown worse as physicians comply with the “voluntary” prescribing guidelines released in March by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which have been adopted as law in several states. Many doctors now fear prosecution and loss of their medical licenses if they overprescribe opioids. Some have chosen not to prescribe them at all.

While federal and state authorities track the number of drug overdose deaths, no one seems to be following the number of patients who are dying by suicide or from cascading medical problems caused by untreated chronic pain. Some in the pain community call this “passive genocide.” Tammi Hale compares it to the Holocaust.

“The Nazis eliminated the sick and the weak first, right? Makes you wonder,” she says. “I realize my comments are harsh, but I believe the public needs to be aware of the dangers any one of us could be facing with this silent epidemic.”

Doctor Insisted on Weaning

Doug Hale began facing a life with intractable chronic pain in 1999 after a surgery left him with interstitial cystitis, a painful inflammation of the bladder. According to his wife, Doug tried physical therapy, antidepressants, epidurals, nerve blocks, TENS, cognitive behavioral therapy, and several different medications before finally turning to opioids for pain relief. High doses of methadone and oxycodone for breakthrough pain were found to be effective.

But a few years ago, Doug’s primary care provider (PCP) started urging him to wean to a lower dose.

“The PCP insisted on weaning. Although Doug clearly had documented malabsorption issues, the PCP persisted on weaning. The pressure to wean was unbelievable,” says Tammi.

“It came to a head in May of 2016. The PCP gave Doug one month to wean completely from 120mg/day of methadone and 20 mg/day of oxy. We knew this was impossible.”

Tammi says Doug checked himself into a 7-day detox program, where he was weaned to 40 mg of methadone a day. The doctor agreed to prescribe that amount, but it was not enough to relieve Doug’s pain. He started taking extra doses.

“He ran out a week early in late August. The PCP abandoned Doug, stating ‘I’m not going to risk my license for you. The methadone clinic can deal with you.’”

But the methadone clinic refused to treat Doug because they saw him as a chronic pain patient, not as an addict. “Had he turned to street drugs they could have treated him, but because he didn’t break the rules they couldn’t help,” Tammi explained.

Doug tried to detox at home, which Tammi calls a “brutal” experience. On October 10th, after being turned down by other healthcare providers, Doug went to his former doctor one last time to beg for help and was refused. The doctor said again that he didn’t want to risk his license.

“Doug left the office still thrashing in pain and despondent,” Tammi recalls. “The next day, my dear, sweet thoughtful husband of 32 years; a father, son, brother, uncle, and friend, well-loved by many, dragged a chair to a remote spot in our back yard. A spot we could not see from the house, the road, or by the neighbors.

“He shot himself in the head to escape his pain. He made sure we could still live in our home and not be plagued by gruesome memories. I just wish the medical establishment had an ounce of the compassion that he did.”

“Can’t take the chronic pain anymore. No one except my wife has helped me. The doctors are mostly puppets trying to lower expenses.”— Doug Hale

“Can’t take the chronic pain anymore. No one except my wife has helped me,” Doug wrote in a suicide note. “The doctors are mostly puppets trying to lower expenses, and (do not accept) any responsibility. Besides people will die and doctors have seen it all. So why help me.”

Tammi says she has been comforted by an outpouring of love and support from her family, friends, and community. Doug’s suicide surprised many.

“Doug did make vague references about suicide during the summer due to the desperation and pain. He was just such a tough guy, he survived so much that my reaction, and others after the fact, was no. Not Doug. He’s like the bionic man. Too much of a warrior to give up,” said Tammi.

“At his memorial, so many people commented on what an inspiration he was to them. To graciously bear the path of pain and his never-give-up attitude made them reevaluate their own daily issues. I guess you could say his legacy was love and to never quit.”

Tammi consulted with a medical malpractice attorney after Doug’s death, who told her the chances of winning a lawsuit against the doctor were slim. The cost of legal action would have also been prohibitive, after so many years of dealing with Doug’s medical expenses.

Tammi and Doug may never get their day in court, but she is determined to share his story in the hope that patients, doctors, and regulators learn from it.

“My promise to him was to share with others. He was thrown away like a piece of trash, but his life and the life of all humans are precious. All patients deserve to be treated respectfully,” she wrote. “Hopefully some changes will come in time before the holocaust grows too much larger.”

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10/19/2023
What We Need to Remember as Lady Gaga Starts Touring After Her Fibro Flare

In the past few months, we have seen Lady Gaga open up more than ever about her journey with chronic pain, with her Netflix documentary “Gaga: Five Foot Two” offering us a look behind the curtain at how difficult it can be to find treatments that work and face the uncertainty and unpredictability of life with chronic illness.

But after confirming her fibromyalgia diagnosis in September and canceling several performances and tour dates due to chronic pain, Lady Gaga is back in action.

As a long-time fan of Gaga, it has been so exciting to see her almost-daily updates on Instagram and Twitter. Not only is she back on the road for her Joanne World Tour, but in the past few weeks, she has also managed to join all five former living presidents for a hurricane relief concert, partner with former Vice President Joe Biden to advocate for sexual assault survivors, become a brand ambassador for Tudor, oh – and get engaged to CAA talent agent Christian Carino. All of which she does wearing high fashion and a smile on her face.

There’s no doubt Lady Gaga is a captivating performer. Even just looking at photos of her, I am in such awe of her style, beauty, and poise.

And yet, simply watching her jet around the country to attend various events with important people and put on high-energy, kickass performances makes me tired.

As someone with an autoimmune disease, my energy tanks are constantly low, even after a restful weekend or long vacation. I don’t think I could make it through a single day in Gaga’s shoes. Her schedule seems like it would be hectic, exhausting, and stressful for someone in peak health, let alone someone with a chronic illness.

While I love following Gaga on social media to see what she’ll pull out of her sleeve next, it can also be difficult to watch someone with a similarly taxing health condition accomplish so much more than I believe I ever could.

Lady Gaga puts on incredible performances every other night, and I barely have enough energy after work to heat up leftovers for dinner.

Lady Gaga travels all over the country to meet and work with some of the most important people alive right now, and I’m in too much pain to walk my dog around the block.

So the thoughts go. It’s all too easy to look at snapshots of a celebrity’s life and think, wow, I must be really lazy or unmotivated because I could never achieve that.

This comparison game is dangerous, but it becomes especially tricky with celebrities like Lady Gaga or Selena Gomez who have been open about their chronic illness battles. I generally don’t lose sleep comparing myself to celebrities; I know they lead very different lives with access to far more money and resources than I have. But then, when they are open and vulnerable about health difficulties, it creates common ground between us. Watching Gaga’s documentary, I felt like I was connecting with another human being over similar struggles.

It’s those moments of relatability and understanding that make it hard to see Gaga go back to being a performer and superstar. In my experience, a bad flare-up usually isn’t followed by such a demanding and intensive schedule.

But, while those of us with chronic illness know the end of a flare-up doesn’t equate to being “healthy” or “back to normal,” for those who aren’t familiar with fibromyalgia or chronic pain, Gaga’s dynamic return may give the impression that her health issues have been totally resolved and that it’s possible for anyone to simply “bounce back” after devoting some time to their health.

Whether you’re a chronic warrior struggling with Lady Gaga’s return or a fan being introduced to the “chronic life” for the first time through Gaga, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Gaga is likely not “cured.” If Lady Gaga is feeling better and has found treatments that work for her, that is fantastic and I am thrilled for her. I sincerely wish she wouldn’t have to ever deal with chronic pain again, but unfortunately, that is just not a common reality of fibromyalgia. As those with chronic illness know, these conditions are lifelong and unpredictable.

2. Celebrities tend to have far more access to money and resources than most chronic warriors do. It is likely that Gaga has been able to find enough relief to continue performing in part because of her fame and access to the best doctors. She is probably able to afford treatment options or medical equipment that many of us cannot, and she may also have access to luxuries such as a private chef, personal trainers, massage therapists, etc. that help keep up with her health as well as her busy schedule.

3. Even within the chronic illness community, we are all different and have varying abilities. Just because one person with fibromyalgia is able to do X, Y, Z doesn’t mean another person with fibromyalgia can also do X, Y, Z. (Maybe they can do A, B, C instead!) Just because Lady Gaga performed at the Super Bowl doesn’t mean everyone with fibro can leap off the roof of a football stadium (or have a job, go to school, or any other activity society thinks they “should” be able to do) if they just “put their mind to it.” People are unique, and so are their conditions and abilities.

4. Your accomplishments are just as amazing as Lady Gaga’s. Maybe you were able to take a shower today, or talk on the phone with a loved one, or keep yourself hydrated. Comparing yourself with someone else – healthy or sick – is silly, because they are a totally different person with totally different life experiences. There’s no good that can come from thinking about what you can’t do. Focus on what you can do, no matter how small it may seem, and celebrate that. If you’re doing the best you can, I’m proud of you – and I think Gaga would be too.

Although Lady Gaga seems to have recovered from her recent flare-up, I hope she continues to be honest about her chronic pain journey and serves as a voice and an advocate for the community. And I hope people recognize that Gaga is just one person with fibromyalgia, and what’s possible for her may not be possible for someone else. For now, I will try to resist the comparison trap and continue to cheer her on, one chronic warrior to another.

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10/18/2023
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Harms The Brain: Northwestern University Research

Summary: People with unrelenting pain are often depressed, anxious and have difficulty making simple decisions. Researchers have identified a clue that may explain how suffering long-term pain could trigger these other pain-related symptoms. Researchers found that in people with chronic pain, a front region of the cortex associated with emotion fails to deactivate when it should. It’s stuck on full throttle, wearing out neurons and altering their connections.

People with unrelenting pain don’t only suffer from the non-stop sensation of throbbing pain. They also have trouble sleeping, are often depressed, anxious and even have difficulty making simple decisions.

In a new study, investigators at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine have identified a clue that may explain how suffering long-term pain could trigger these other pain-related symptoms.

Researchers found that in a healthy brain all the regions exist in a state of equilibrium. When one region is active, the others quiet down. But in people with chronic pain, a front region of the cortex mostly associated with emotion “never shuts up,” said Dante Chialvo, lead author and associate research professor of physiology at the Feinberg School. “The areas that are affected fail to deactivate when they should.”

They are stuck on full throttle, wearing out neurons and altering their connections to each other.

This is the first demonstration of brain disturbances in chronic pain patients not directly related to the sensation of pain.

Chialvo and colleagues used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to scan the brains of people with chronic low back pain and a group of pain-free volunteers while both groups were tracking a moving bar on a computer screen. The study showed the pain sufferers performed the task well but “at the expense of using their brain differently than the pain-free group,” Chialvo said.

When certain parts of the cortex were activated in the pain-free group, some others were deactivated, maintaining a cooperative equilibrium between the regions. This equilibrium also is known as the resting state network of the brain. In the chronic pain group, however, one of the nodes of this network did not quiet down as it did in the pain-free subjects.

This constant firing of neurons in these regions of the brain could cause permanent damage, Chialvo said. “We know when neurons fire too much they may change their connections with other neurons and or even die because they can’t sustain high activity for so long,” he explained.

‘If you are a chronic pain patient, you have pain 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every minute of your life,” Chialvo said. “That permanent perception of pain in your brain makes these areas in your brain continuously active. This continuous dysfunction in the equilibrium of the brain can change the wiring forever and could hurt the brain.”

Chialvo hypothesized the subsequent changes in wiring “may make it harder for you to make a decision or be in a good mood to get up in the morning. It could be that pain produces depression and the other reported abnormalities because it disturbs the balance of the brain as a whole.”

He said his findings show it is essential to study new approaches to treat patients not just to control their pain but also to evaluate and prevent the dysfunction that may be generated in the brain by chronic pain.

The study will be published on Feb. 6 in The Journal of Neuroscience. Chialvo’s collaborators in this project are Marwan Baliki, a graduate student; Paul Geha, a post-doctoral fellow, and Vania Apkarian, professor of physiology and of anesthesiology, all at the Feinberg School.

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10/17/2023
Fibromyalgia and Hip Flexor Pain: Dr Sher Bailey

It is not uncommon to have hip flexor issues or pain in this area when living with fibromyalgia. The hips, hip flexors, and lower back correlate with fibromyalgia pain areas due to tender areas around the lower back, many more trigger point areas and other conditions that affect the surrounding areas.
The hip flexor muscles allow your hips to move with flexibility. You are engaging these muscles whenever you move your legs, and that means your hips are involved in most of the movements that you make throughout the average day.

A healthy person may not realize how often they use their hip flexors, but anyone living with fibromyalgia who experiences hip flexor pain will be well aware of this on a more regular basis.

I have personally dealt with hip flexor pain and then later re-strengthening of these areas while developing more fibro–safe exercises after my full hysterectomy three years ago. Yes, I do get it. I will address more of this later in the lower part of this article.

While there are some known injuries and medical conditions that can cause pain in the hip flexors, it can be difficult to identify a direct cause of this pain in someone with fibromyalgia, except for the many daily activities that I often refer to.

We might treat the pain as another symptom of the diagnosed condition or take more time to determine an exact cause for the pain. Either way, fibromyalgia, and hip flexor pain are often debilitating if not treated efficiently and promptly.

Understanding Fibromyalgia and Hip Flexor Pain

The psoas is responsible for a lot of general back and leg pain because the sitting positions that most people hold throughout the day cause the muscle to shorten for a long period of time. When you stand up and start moving around again, that muscle doesn’t want to lengthen and function properly.

Hip flexor pain is often referred to as flexor tendinosis. The pain from this condition typically comes from one or both of the following muscles: Illicacus and Psoas. These muscles are often lumped together as one unit, referred to as the iliopsoas.

For those suffering from fibromyalgia, the pain may come from other muscles that help the hips move. This includes the quadriceps, even though those muscles are lower than most hip flexor muscles.

While flexor tendinosis caused by an injury or issue not related to fibromyalgia may focus on one particular muscle or area of the hip, fibromyalgia patients may experience pain that spreads out throughout this region of the body. The cause of the pain is often unexplainable, as is typically the case with fibromyalgia pain.

Treating Fibromyalgia and Hip Flexor Pain

One simple way to prevent some fibromyalgia and hip flexor pain is to avoid sitting in one position for a long period of time. Get up and move around periodically so that your muscles don’t have time to set in one position.

You often hear me recommending safe and effective exercise and the importance of participating in some level of exercise in order to keep your body strong and more flexible, and this is another recommendation for hip flexor pain as well.

The more you learn how to move and how angles and over compensation do matter, the easier it is to prevent some causes of muscle pain. You can follow me on the Fibro Fit People page to learn more ways to safely and gently work these more vulnerable areas. In the video section there you will see exercises like my “side to side” exercises that help to gently work the hips and lower back, piriformis and more.

I also work with women after hysterectomy and other abdominal surgery to gently strengthen these vulnerable areas. I have been there, and yes, it is possible to feel strong after a hysterectomy and while living with the complexity of fibromyalgia and co-conditions.

The stretch I am performing here is great to do anytime, especially after sitting. We draw one leg up to the knee (no shoes) placing the foot gently on the inside of knee or lower if needed (this loosens the hips) then draw the arm up on the same side and feel the light stretch from your hips through your obliques.

If you spend much of your day sitting at a desk, invest in an office chair that is highly adjustable. Set the chair higher, allowing your hips to rest above your knees. This position is healthier for your hip flexors and may eliminate pain caused by the shortening of those muscles in the typical office chair position. You may also want to consider a standing desk that allows you to easily lift your work space.

I started using a standing desk last year and find it very helpful, in fact, I do more standing at my desk now than I do sitting. (note: some standing desks can be difficult on the shoulders to put up and down so it might be necessary to get a standing desk that uses an electric control for moving positions)

Regular strength training and very gentle stretching (done safely) may help keep those muscles strong and flexible. Again, be sure to avoid excessive sitting or this can sabotage efforts to incorporate effective exercise.

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10/16/2023
Doctors Beginning to Speak Out about Pain Patients Denied Opioids

It’s a trickle at present, but the conversation around chronic pain between doctors and patients is no longer one way only.

Over the past few months, the constant messaging suggesting chronic pain patients are dying in dramatically increasing numbers because of opioid overdoses has been questioned.

Understand, the messaging was indeed clever. Chronic pain patients weren’t directly and specifically named, but the messaging caused listeners and readers to believe it was pain patients whose lives were being shattered, or even ended, due to opioids.

Then a few of us in media began to ask questions, and immediately the anti-opioid medication messaging began to falter. Patients suffering hideously from non-stop pain willingly spoke about the horrific conditions of their lives.

They voluntarily shared longtime doctors who had prescribed opioid medication which made their lives at least livable were under pressure to cut dosages dramatically, with the objective to end prescribing altogether.

There is pressure from supervisory medical bodies and governments. Ontario ended coverage of opioids on January 1, 2017, and now the elderly on fixed incomes, battling constant vicious pain, are required to pay for their not inexpensive medications out of pocket.

I interviewed the Federal Minister of Health at her request. Dr. Jane Philpott was ineffective in making the case against opioids for pain patients. In fact, she repeatedly told me my questions were “fantastic” and “excellent.” The only reason I asked the questions is that they reflected the need for relief from pain that can destroy the quality of life.

Last weekend, Dr. Lynn Webster of Salt Lake City, Utah, past president of the American Academy of Pain Medicine and co-producer of The Painful Truth documentary revealed the anti-opioid medication crusade was undertaken by U.S. insurance companies, which we’re finding opioid prescriptions expensive to cover.

Today I’ll be speaking with Dr. Stephen Nadeau, a scientist and neurologist with over 30 years in a U.S. tertiary care center treating patients with non-malignant pain. Dr. Nadeau heard my interview with the health minister and chronic pain patients and will share his own views on the subject.

Back with me today as well is Dawn Rae Downton, a national journalist and chronic pain patient who has a euthanasia plan in place in the event her opioid medication is arbitrarily stopped. Downton recently wrote a Globe and Mail column about her Fentanyl use.

Marvin Ross, who writes on health matters for Huffington Post Canada, has been challenging politicians and their anti-opioid agenda for some time.

If you’re a chronic pain patient, doctor, or even a politician who cares about the crushing weight of never-ending massive pain, listen today and then speak out.

Living pain-free is a human right. Pain patients should not be reduced to pleading for help and meeting arrogance and indifference as a reply.

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10/15/2023
Fibromyalgia Caused By Malfunctions In Two Key Body Systems – Autonomic Nervous System and Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis

A recent study threw up an interesting notion on the root of fibromyalgia. The study suggests that fibromyalgia could be caused by malfunctions in two chief body systems – the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) and the Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA). These two body systems are key in regulating the production of important hormones and managing stress responses by the body. Imbalance in the two-body systems can lead to sleeplessness, lack of energy, higher pain sensitivity, mood changes, digestive problems, etc…

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The Autonomic Nervous System is a large network of multifaceted neurons that maintain homeostasis in the body. This network includes cardiovascular, ophthalmologic, thermoregulatory, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal systems in the body.

The ANS contains both the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous systems. The former controls the response called “fight or flight” when one gets into seemingly dangerous situations, whereas the Parasympathetic nervous system lowers the heart rate and slows down the muscles to save energy.

Fibromyalgia is linked to a malfunction in the ANS. Patients with fibromyalgia find that their Sympathetic Nervous System functions at an elevated pace and that their Parasympathetic Nervous System works at a much lower rate. Such individuals always face this inevitable “fight or flight” response. When such individuals are in a hyperactive state, they have an escalated heart rate. Women with this problem suffer from dysfunctional ANS.

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA)

The HPA axis is a network of stress responses by the brain, pituitary, and adrenal glands. The main function of the hypothalamus is to maintain the body’s balance. It receives and sends messages from the nervous system via hormones through the circulatory system. The hypothalamus regulates and controls blood pressure, digestion, sleep cycles, sex drive, body temperature, coordination, heart rate, and sweating.

The pituitary gland is responsible for the secretion of certain important hormones for the body while the Adrenal Gland produces hormones for the entire body and controls chemical reactions and the “fight or flight” response to stress.

How ANS and HPA Lead To Fibromyalgia Pain

Together, the ANS and the HPA axis are major paths for body responses during stressful conditions. These responses include pain, trauma, infection, low blood sugar, and low blood pressure.

Due to certain malfunctions in the ANS and HPA, the body can struggle to maintain homeostasis. External factors such as persistent daily stress, injury, or other stressors can further knock the body’s equilibrium off-balance. The body systems and stress response regulated by the ANS and HPA respectively can go haywire.

Studies conducted have shown that fibromyalgia patients are prone to either inactivity or overactivity in the HPA, causing abnormal levels of important hormones and hence leading to various symptoms of fibromyalgia.

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For More Information Related to Fibromyalgia Visit below sites:

References:

Fibromyalgia Contact Us Directly

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Official Fibromyalgia Blogs

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Fibromyalgia Stores

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10/14/2023