Fibromyalgia Myths and Facts
Fictions, Facts and the Elements of Truth to Some Myths About FMS
Feb 23, 2009
Some FMS sufferers report that their friends and family members have said things like, “I get achy, too, you know. Like the first few days when I started exercising again. I guess that means everyone has fibromyalgia.” Or “Some doctors say that fibromyalgia doesn’t exist, that you’re a hypochondriac.”
Myths and confusion about fibromyalgia are still common. Some of the common myths, the facts, and the elements of truth in the myths:
Myth: Fibromyalgia doesn't exist-It is all in the patient's head
Fact: Researchers are finding more and more evidence regarding fibromyalgia syndrome, and are getting closer to finding causes and cures.
Element of truth: None. Because there was no empirical way of identifying fibromyalgia (such as a blood test or X-ray), most doctors dismissed it as nonexistent. Lacking a way to observe a disorder from outside of the patient does not negate its existence. Advancements in technology and techniques have led to the discovery of many diseases and disease-causing organisms. They were unknown previously, but that does not mean that they did not exist.
Fibro is the same as the pain I feel after a hard workout
Fact: The soreness that may come after a hard workout, or the bruising and tenderness that may come after an automobile collision are not the same as fibromyalgia.
Pulled muscle
- Specific injury/trauma
- Damage to muscle
- Duration: a few days
Fibromyalgia
- No specific injury/trauma
- No damage to muscle
- Duration: three months or more
Element of truth: None, but extreme soreness can give a person an idea of what the FMS sufferer feels like every single day.
Myth: Fibromyalgia just means “pain in the muscles,” so anyone can have fibromyalgia
Fact: It isn’t that simple. To be diagnosed as fibromyalgia, a lot more is required. Fibromyalgia involves chronic, widespread, bilateral pain and pain and tenderness in at least 11 of 18 identified sets of tender points. FMS also involves numerous other symptoms.
Element of truth: The word “fibromyalgia” does mean “pain in the muscles and fibrous tissues.”
- “Fibro” refers to fibrous tissue (muscles, and connective tissue such as ligaments and tendons).
- “My” refers to muscle.
- "Algia” means “pain.”
Myth: Anyone can go get a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, because there are so many symptoms that anything can fit it
Fact: It is difficult to qualify as having fibromyalgia, and someone who does not have it would not be diagnosed with it unless they fabricate just the right symptoms. Some people who actually have FMS can’t even be diagnosed according to the criteria. Some would be diagnosed on some days but not on others, because on some days they don’t have 11 of the 18 “recognized” tender points, so they don’t “qualify” as having fibromyalgia. Many doctors recognize that a patient can have FMS without having a particular number of tender points and are sensible regarding diagnosis.
Element of truth: FMS does have a long list of symptoms that can be associated with it.
Myth: People with fibromyalgia feel just fine when they want to do something; they only hurt when they don’t want to do something
Fact: People who have fibromyalgia never “feel just fine.” Fibro pain is always present – it’s just a matter of degree (and locations). The pain worsens at random, whether the patient wants to do something or not. All FMS patients can list times that pain prevented them from doing things that they love to do.
Element of truth: As with almost all illnesses, the mind can have an effect on fibromyalgia. Stress certainly can make the pain worse, so if an FMS sufferer finds an activity stressful, pain can increase. Controlling stress and responses to stress can help to modulate the pain.
Most myths have some element of truth to them. Finding the truth is important to all involved.
