What is Stage 4 Fibromyalgia?
Do you have restricted functionality? If so, are you aware that: “as fibromyalgia progresses to stage four (which is secondary in response to an underlying health condition), patients may experience limited functionality. Sufferers may have difficulty performing everyday tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and caring for themselves. Fatigue and pain can be debilitating, making working or participating in social activities strenuous” [1]
Did You Know?
“The pathophysiology of fibromyalgia is complex and not fully understood [but it appears that] fibromyalgia has a multifactorial origin that includes genetic, environmental, and psychosocial factors” [1]. The worst fibromyalgia symptoms cannot be unexplained; however, sufferers can experience severe musculoskeletal pain, body muscle stiffness, fibro fog (cognitive difficulties), and insufficient stamina to carry our their daily functions [1].
Signs of Fibromyalgia To Look Out For
As any Fibro Doctor will tell you, these incorporate:
- Fatigue which cannot be explained
- Disturbed sleep
- Body muscle stiffness
- Unexplained bloating
- Depression
- Feelings of self-isolation
- The inability to focus or concentrate [1]
So What Causes Fibromyalgia?
This very hard to live with condition is generated by physical stress or/and emotional stress; untreated long-term invisible inflammation; sub-optimal body resources; dehydration; high cortisol levels; insufficient antioxidants (e.g., carnosine and glutathione); and an elevated number of free radicals [1].
Will My Fibromyalgia Be With Me All My Life?
Many sufferers believe that they will never be able to ameliorate or stop their fibromyalgia symptoms. – Indeed, some have been lead to believe that they will have to put up with them all their lives. In some instances, this outlook has been fuelled by patients going to their GPs, who in the majority of cases, have not had the extensive necessary medical training and clinical practice in the fields of Pain and Pain Medicine. – And this is why it it crucial to consult an experienced Pain Specialist.
Online & In-Person Consultations With a Fibro Pain Specialist
The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is based on the symptoms presented by the patient. Making an appointment with an experienced Fibro Pain Doctor is the first step that is needed in order to ensure that you receive a correct fibromyalgia diagnosis. Once this is established, you will be given a Holistic Personalised Treatment Plan. This is likely to incorporate both conventional and the latest cutting-edge treatments and therapies.
Prior to the diagnosis, your Fibro Pain Consultant will review your medical history and see if you are on any medication. They will then ask you various pertinent questions. These can include:
- How long you’ve been experiencing restricted functionality
- How does your condition affect your everyday life
- How often you become tired or fatigued
- Whether you have experienced any inexplicable memory loss
- Whether your pain intensifies according to changes in the weather
- Whether you experience inexplicable bloating
- If you experience anxiousness, depression or isolation, and if so, how often these aspects occur
- What is the quality of your sleep is like
- How you feel when you wake up every morning. Do you feel fatigued or refreshed? [1]
Your Fibro Pain Consultant will also conduct or arrange for a full examination so that they can ascertain whether or not you have fibromyalgia. This will involve thoroughly examining each nerve in your body (incorporating: the trigeminal and occipital nerves, all the nerves which transverse the abdomen and spine, as well as the popliteal, femoral, and gluteal nerves. This procedure will allow the Fibro Pain Doctor to differentiate your inflamed nerves from your optimal functioning nerves, thus helping to evaluate the extent and intensity of your inflammation [1].
Reference
[1]. Anfacademy (2024). “What Are The 7 Stages Of Fibromyalgia?”
https://www.anfacademy.com/what-are-the-7-stages-of-fibromyalgia/
