Fibromyalgia News June 23 2018

What I have for you here is the latest Fibromyalgia news that I was finding/watching/reading this week: 
information about Fibromyalgia including 
Fibromyalgia research, 
Fibromyalgia medical findings 
Fibromyalgia Newspaper coverage and 
discussions on Fibromyalgia. 

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition of pain, fatigue and mental fog. 

This week I have discovered a few articles about Fibromyalgia in the newspapers. Interestingly they are all from the United Kingdome.

Tory MP in England, Andrea Jenkyns 'cannot remember a day without pain' in 15 years. Ms Jenkins also has fibromyalgia, a long term-condition that causes pain all over the body and has meant she "hasn't had a day free of pain in 15 years" Read article at The Yorkshire Post. (just click skip survey to read it)

Shock figures show north-east (Scotland)victim of postcode lottery of chronic pain treatment waiting times. The mother of a teenager who suffers from fibromyalgia, ME and chronic fatigue syndrome has said the lengthy wait makes personalised care difficult. Read article at Aberdeen Journals Ltd.

Super slimming husband and wife in national slimming competition. She has Fibromyalgia, uses a wheelchair and has lost 3 stone 8.5 lbs. Read article at Rasen Mail

My battle with Fibromyalgia: Some days I am crippled with pain but I won't let it hold me back. 'Sometimes the pain can be so bad I can't move, other times I’m just so tired that I can't wake up' Read full article at Plymouth Herald.

Using distraction to reduce pain in Fibromyalgia patients

You can watch the video or read the transcript below.

TRANSCRIPT: A new study shows that distraction can be an effective tool in reducing pain in patients with fibromyalgia just the same as it is in healthy people.
We all know that when we are in pain it has an impact on our ability to function well. People with Fibromyalgia usually live in constant pain as just one of their symptoms.

The study - Task interference and distraction efficacy in patients with fibromyalgia: an experimental investigation - was conducted at the Institute for Health and Behaviour, INSIDE, University of Luxembourg and printed in Ovid in June 2018.

All people who participated in the study experienced the pain stimulus as less intense when directing attention away from the pain than when focusing on the pain. So distracting themselves from the pain actually lessened the pain.

This is what I have always thought and why I spend so much time researching on the computer, reading, watching television and drawing. When I do these things the pain recedes and it is not in the forefront of my awareness.

The actual task performance of patients with Fibromyalgia (FM) in the study was slower than the task performance of the healthy control group. (as I would expect)

In contrast to what researchers thought, patients with FM and healthy volunteers did not differ in the effect or efficacy of the distraction. 

In conclusion, the study reported that they support contemporary theories claiming that attention modulates the experience of pain and vice versa. However, no evidence was found for an altered attentional processing of pain in patients with FM. 

So using distraction in whatever form it takes is a valid tool for coping with FM pain. Do you agree that distraction helps in coping with pain? So far 7 people have commented and said that distraction does help them cope with the pain of fibromyalgia... what about you?

Fibromyalgia News

Here you will find the latest Fibromyalgia news:
information about Fibromyalgia including
Fibromyalgia research,
Fibromyalgia medical findings
Fibromyalgia Newspaper coverage and
discussions on Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition of pain, fatigue and mental fog.

Neurobiological similarities between RA and fibromyalgia

Date: 9 June, 2018
Source: Nature Reviews Rheumatology
Summary: Pain management can be a difficult problem for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), some of whom can experience pain similar to that reported by patients with fibromyalgia. Now, advanced imaging techniques are revealing neurobiological alterations in patients with RA that mirror those seen in fibromyalgia, hinting at new treatment possibilities.

Customized resistance exercise a factor for success with fibromyalgia

Date:         June 7, 2018

Source:      University of Gothenburg

Summary: Fibromyalgia and resistance exercise have often been considered an impossible combination. But with proper support and individually adjusted exercises, female patients achieved considerable health improvements, according to new research.

The role of mirtazapine in patients with fibromyalgia: a systematic review

Date:          June, 2, 2018

Source:      SpringerLink

Summary:  Mirtazapine is commonly used to treat major depressive disorder. Due to its effects on multiple neurotransmitters, it has been investigated for possible benefits in patients with fibromyalgia. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the efficacy and safety of mirtazapine in the treatment of patients with fibromyalgia.

Mirtazapine for Fibromyalgia: An Effective Treatment Option? An Article explaining above review.Date: June 5, 2018
Source: MPR
Summary: The antidepressant mirtazapine appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with fibromyalgia, according to a systematic review published in Rheumatology International.

Fibromyalgia: Symptoms of painful condition revealed - are you at risk?

Date:         May 29, 2018

Source:      Express Newspapers UK

Summary: FIBROMYALGIA symptoms include pain, headaches, muscle stiffness and an extreme sensitivity to the touch. How many people have fibromyalgia in the UK, and are you at risk? Treatment options and risk factors revealed and a video.

FCI: Advocating For A World Without Fibromyalgia

Date:           May 29, 2018

Source:       ProHealth

Summary:  Yvonne Keeny is founder and executive director of the Fibromyalgia Coalition International, a nonprofit organization speaks aout about advocacy. 


VIDEO: RNA blood test may aid in reducing diagnostic error for fibromyalgia