Study proves fibromyalgia is the real deal

[deepdiver]

Study proves fibromyalgia is the real deal



Fibromyalgia sufferers have gotten a raw deal for years. Many doctors think the disease is all in their head because there's no lab test that can confirm the source of their symptoms. And with symptoms as elusive as chronic fatigue, muscle pain, and persistent doubt, it's not hard to figure out why these docs are so stumped.

Past research has implied that depression was actually the true source of the fatigue and pain of fibromyalgia. But a new study has detected brain abnormalities in fibromyalgia patients. So while these new findings may not be a cure, they're sure to give peace of mind (and no small sense of vindication) to any fibromyalgia sufferer who's gotten a skeptical look from his physician.

In this new study, 30 women (20 with fibromyalgia, and 10 with no disorders) were given a brain imaging test called Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).

The result? The fibromyalgia sufferers had blood flow anomalies known as "brain perfusion" that the healthy women did not. What's more, the researchers found that the degree of brain perfusion was in direct proportion to the severity of the suffers' reported symptoms.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Eric Geudj of France's Centre Hospitalier-Universitaire de La Timone, said the results of the study showed "that the functional abnormalities observed were mainly related to disability" rather than depression and anxiety.

I can only imagine the frustration of the 10 million people (most of them women) who live not only with fibromyalgia's symptoms, but also with the added stress of the doubt of the medical community. Think of dealing with the constant symptoms of pain, memory and concentration issues, stiffness, and sleeping problems – and then having your doctor looking at you sideways because his tests show that you're perfectly healthy.

Hopefully this new study will help to create a wider acceptance throughout the medical of fibromyalgia as a legitimate disease. Which should open the door to more research into the source and – most importantly – the cure.
DR.C.

[scaredmom330]

finally!!! maybe more doctors will understand and support fibromyalgia sufferers!!! Alot think you are faking pain, taking up their precious time or a pill seeker..I know how frustrating it was for me before I found my doctor who understands fibro...my heart goes out to people who have fibro not diagnosed correctly and in severe pain continously...is is too soon to hope time will change and fibromyalgia suffers will get the medical treatment they need....good post. thanks for sharing it...

[VaBreeze]

"Fibromyalgia sufferers have gotten a raw deal for years. Many doctors think the disease is all in their head because there's no lab test that can confirm the source of their symptoms."

With more research and knowledge about this illness, perhaps in the future others will not have to suffer from those who disbelieve its validity.

Thanks so much for this post.  :-)

[PlateletGal]

"I can only imagine the frustration of the 10 million people (most of them women) who live not only with fibromyalgia's symptoms, but also with the added stress of the doubt of the medical community."

Thank you for your empathy. I wish there were more people in the world like you !