What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
- fatigue or extreme fatigue
- lack of energy
- trouble sleeping
- depression or anxiety
- memory problems and trouble concentrating (sometimes called “fibro fog”)
- headaches
- muscle twitches or cramps
- numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- itching, burning, and other skin problems
- dry eyes
- pain daily or almost daily
- diarrhea and/or constipation
- chest pain – sharp, stabbing, burning, shortness of breath
- leg pain – deep, burning, throbbing
- belly pain – or dull ache in lower belly
- bloating
- gas
- nausea
- tension or migraine headaches including painful head, neck, or shoulder muscles
- excess sweating
- easy bruising
- swelling
- sensitivity to noise, light, or temperature
- jaw pain
- chest pain
- bladder pain
- an urgent need to urinate
- food allergy symptoms like a stuffed nose, wheezing, diarrhea, or vomiting
Pain is mainly felt in these areas, but can be whole body or only certain muscles
- neck
- middle and lower back
- arms
- legs
- shoulders
- hips
And the pain can include
- throbbing
- aching
- burning
- shooting
- stabbing
- soreness
- stiffness
Tender areas include
- both sides of the back of the head
- both sides of the neck
- top of each shoulder
- shoulder blades
- both sides of the upper chest
- outside of each elbow
- both sides of the hips
- buttocks
- insides of the knees
- back of the head
- tops of the shoulders
- upper chest
- hips
- knees
- outer elbows
Related conditions
- tension and migraine headaches
- irritable bowel syndrome
- restless legs syndrome
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- lupus
- rheumatoid arthritis
Triggers
- psychological stress
- physical trauma
- an injury
- an illness – infection, flu
- disease – lupus, RA
- dirty genes – family history
- females most of the time
- middle age, increased risk with age, possible in children though
Profit generating antidepressants and antiseizure drugs are the only known mainstream treatment
- duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- milnacipran (Savella)
- pregabalin (Lyrica)
Guaifenesin protocol
- 1990s St. Amand
- uricosuric drug used to treat gout
- guaifenesin, aka mucinex, is mild uricosuric with fewer side effects than others
- slow increase till finding right dose
- avoid salicylates from aspirin, cosmetics, st. john’s wort
- consume low carb diet
- symptoms get worse till finding proper dose
According to anecdotes, guaifenesin can:
- rid the body of “harmful” phosphate deposits
- relax the muscles
- relieve pain
- increase the pain-relieving effects of other pain relievers
- reduce anxiety
- reverse all symptoms of fibromyalgia
Side effects of guaifenesin are usually mild. The most common are:
- dizziness
- headache
- diarrhea
- drowsiness
- nausea
- vomiting
- rash
- abdominal pain
Alternative mainstream methods include
- relaxation therapies
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- biofeedback
- yoga and tai chi
- exercise
- acupuncture
- vitamin d(from food and sunlight)
- CBD
- Tai Chi – breathing
Sources
Dive in a bit further, like, way further http://web.mit.edu/london/www/guai.html
- Fibromyalgia. (2015, May)
rheumatology.org/Practice/Clinical/Patients/Diseases_And_Conditions/Fibromyalgia/ - Fibromyalgia. (2015, April 23)
cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htm - Fibromyalgia and sleep. (n.d.).Retrieved from
sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-related-problems/fibromyalgia-and-sleep - Fibromyalgia fact sheet. (2012, July 16)
womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/fibromyalgia.html - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015, October 1). Fibromyalgia
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/basics/definition/con-20019243 - Questions and answers about fibromyalgia. (2014, July)
niams.nih.gov/health_Info/Fibromyalgia/default.asp - Wolfe, F., Clauw, D. J., Fitzcharles, M., Goldenberg, D. L., Katz, R. S., Mease, P., … Yunus, M. B. (2010, May). The American College of Rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity. Arthritis Care & Research, 62, 600-610
rheumatology.org/Portals/0/Files/2010_Preliminary_Diagnostic_Criteria.pdf