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Can kids have fibromyalgia?
I am 15 and I was told I have fibromyalgia. Then people tell me it's impossible for a kid to have that. Can a kid have fibromyalgia?
My 9 year old daughter has been diagnosed with it. She has been sick since the first of the year - started with walking pneumonia, went on to a few weeks in the hospital due to severe lower back pain, neuropathy, MRIs and LP came back negative. Just finished doxycycline because mycoplasma level is still 3700 and neuro sent us to rheum who diagnosed her with fibromyalgia. She is still receiving a tutor, cannot sit in the chairs at school because of the pain and is very limited in activities. We have not had success with actupuncture but I've heard others have. It is rare but possible. We are still searching for answers because of her high infection level that they can't seem to get rid of. Good luck!
Yes, children can have it.. I had it as a child.
I just thought that's how everyone felt... It took me years to really understand that I was different. I don't think my parents really knew what to do and no one had heard of fibro way back then... At least not that I knew of. Everyone told me I had 'growing' pains. But after I got EBV things really went downhill from there!
I just thought that's how everyone felt... It took me years to really understand that I was different. I don't think my parents really knew what to do and no one had heard of fibro way back then... At least not that I knew of. Everyone told me I had 'growing' pains. But after I got EBV things really went downhill from there!
Hello,
People of any age can and do get Fibromyalgia, although it is not commonly diagnosed in teens or children. One of the reasons for this, I believe, is that doctors don't want to label kids with a dis order when they appear normal on the outside.I believe I've had it my whole life. The same symptoms I had as a kid I have now... and a few more. Many of my symptoms have gotten worse but were present as a kid. I remember being told by various doctors, teachers,friends and my parents different things to explain them.Such as," they're just growing pains everyone gets them", or " if you ate better and exercised you would be thinner", how about " you're so tired because you sleep too much", and my favorite ( sarcasm) " it's all in your head."
My point is you could have it. If a doctor has diagnosed it then don't ignore the diagnosis but do ignore people who say you are too young to have it.
Although the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown a few key points about it are known: 1. IT IS a central nervous system disorder. For years people believed it to be a form of arthritis. The latest research has show this is not the case. People with fibromyalgia process painful stimuli different then "normal 'people. Even though it is our muscles that hurt it is coming from our central nervous systems. Besides pain, you may experience things like muscle twitches,or "nap jerks" as you are falling off to sleep, the sensation of something being on your skin when nothing is there( like feeling water running over your legs), you may get restless leg syndrome, feel like your skin is burning when you put your arms on the table,if someone rubs your skin in the same spot for too long it Really hurts, there will be certain points on your body that if you are touched there it is excruciatingly sore ( normal people would just feel pressure) these are called pressure or trigger points-my worset ones are on the inside of my knees
2. It is hereditiary- your mother, aunts,grandmothers may have it ( they may never have been officially diagnosed but will likely have many of the same symptoms you do) Men can also get this but not as commonly- I currently work with 2 men who also have it.
3.It is usually brought on by a stressful event in your life. Don't let the term stressful fool you. Stress can include things like illness, accidents,death of a family member including pets, school,emotional stress- basically anything that effects your body and/or mind in a negative way is stress. Everyone has a different level of stress they can process. So even though it may not seem stressful to your friends or family, if it does to you it counts.
4.It is Real. People have a hard time believing you. If you walked with a limp or a cane or some physical disability that they could see you would be believed. The problem is that on the outside we look perfectly normal. It's on the inside where we hurt For this reason you need a really good support system. You need to surround yourself with friends, family members and medical personnel that believe you.
5. People with this also tend to have other issues as well. Such as migraines, thyroid issues, food allergies/sensitivities, drug( medication) sensitivities/allergies,depression and many others that all seem to be common to people with fibromyalgia
I'm sorry this is so long but it is a complicated issue. I've done years of research on it and talked to many health care personnel. I could go on with more information if you or your parents are interested. For now the last thing I will leave you with is don't atomatically jump to medication as a solution.If you absolutely have to to function then fine but there are effective alternative treatments. Some that work for me are IMS ( intramuscular stimulation, this is a specialty done by some physiotherapists), having massage therapy,
seeing an Osteopath ( this has been especially helpful). There is Help and Hope. You are NOT alone.
People of any age can and do get Fibromyalgia, although it is not commonly diagnosed in teens or children. One of the reasons for this, I believe, is that doctors don't want to label kids with a dis order when they appear normal on the outside.I believe I've had it my whole life. The same symptoms I had as a kid I have now... and a few more. Many of my symptoms have gotten worse but were present as a kid. I remember being told by various doctors, teachers,friends and my parents different things to explain them.Such as," they're just growing pains everyone gets them", or " if you ate better and exercised you would be thinner", how about " you're so tired because you sleep too much", and my favorite ( sarcasm) " it's all in your head."
My point is you could have it. If a doctor has diagnosed it then don't ignore the diagnosis but do ignore people who say you are too young to have it.
Although the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown a few key points about it are known: 1. IT IS a central nervous system disorder. For years people believed it to be a form of arthritis. The latest research has show this is not the case. People with fibromyalgia process painful stimuli different then "normal 'people. Even though it is our muscles that hurt it is coming from our central nervous systems. Besides pain, you may experience things like muscle twitches,or "nap jerks" as you are falling off to sleep, the sensation of something being on your skin when nothing is there( like feeling water running over your legs), you may get restless leg syndrome, feel like your skin is burning when you put your arms on the table,if someone rubs your skin in the same spot for too long it Really hurts, there will be certain points on your body that if you are touched there it is excruciatingly sore ( normal people would just feel pressure) these are called pressure or trigger points-my worset ones are on the inside of my knees
2. It is hereditiary- your mother, aunts,grandmothers may have it ( they may never have been officially diagnosed but will likely have many of the same symptoms you do) Men can also get this but not as commonly- I currently work with 2 men who also have it.
3.It is usually brought on by a stressful event in your life. Don't let the term stressful fool you. Stress can include things like illness, accidents,death of a family member including pets, school,emotional stress- basically anything that effects your body and/or mind in a negative way is stress. Everyone has a different level of stress they can process. So even though it may not seem stressful to your friends or family, if it does to you it counts.
4.It is Real. People have a hard time believing you. If you walked with a limp or a cane or some physical disability that they could see you would be believed. The problem is that on the outside we look perfectly normal. It's on the inside where we hurt For this reason you need a really good support system. You need to surround yourself with friends, family members and medical personnel that believe you.
5. People with this also tend to have other issues as well. Such as migraines, thyroid issues, food allergies/sensitivities, drug( medication) sensitivities/allergies,depression and many others that all seem to be common to people with fibromyalgia
I'm sorry this is so long but it is a complicated issue. I've done years of research on it and talked to many health care personnel. I could go on with more information if you or your parents are interested. For now the last thing I will leave you with is don't atomatically jump to medication as a solution.If you absolutely have to to function then fine but there are effective alternative treatments. Some that work for me are IMS ( intramuscular stimulation, this is a specialty done by some physiotherapists), having massage therapy,
seeing an Osteopath ( this has been especially helpful). There is Help and Hope. You are NOT alone.
It is pretty common to develop FM from a trama or operation.. Have you experianced any thing like this? It is an auto ammune disorder. I dont think age would have anything to do with it. But, yes, less common.
Yes, anyone at any age can have fibro - although it's not as commonly diagnosed in younger patients. I personally think the reason for that is that when a younger person has widespread pain and extreme fatigue, the doctors tend to chock it up to "being a teenager" or keeping strange hours, not eating right, etc.
But the truth is, chronic pain from any reason does not have any age limits or gender limits.
But the truth is, chronic pain from any reason does not have any age limits or gender limits.
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