Living with chronic muscle and joint pain
Fibromyalgia is one of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and literally means: pain in muscles and connective tissues. It falls into the category of soft tissue rheumatism, a form of rheumatism that affects 460,000 people in the Netherlands (TNO report 2007).
Fibromyalgia is not a condition with an identifiable cause, but a collective name of specific disease symptoms and complaints (a syndrome).
Varying character
It is characterized by pain in muscles and joints, (morning) stiffness and chronic fatigue. Fibromyalgia is neither inflammation nor wear and tear, and not visible on imaging.
The stabbing, burning, nagging pain in fibromyalgia can vary greatly in severity, location and duration. Sometimes it affects the knees, then again the neck and shoulders, weeks later the pain is suddenly in the hips.
In addition to pain, it is mainly the fatigue that hinders people with fibromyalgia in their daily functioning.
The most common complaints are:
- muscle pain and (morning) stiffness
- soft tissue pain around joints (connective tissue, tendon attachment)
- severe fatigue
- dejection
- bad sleeping
- loss of strength, heaviness, tingling in arms or legs
- swollen fingers
- headache
- concentration problems
- intestinal complaints, abdominal pain
Where does that pain come from?
Fibromyalgia has no identifiable cause and only describes the situation: pain in muscles and connective tissues. There are a few theories about the origin of the complaints:
- Pain is experienced differently: brain research has shown that fibromyalgia patients have a different processing of pain stimuli.
- Disruption in the functioning of hormones and neurotransmitters due to excessive exposure to stress and tension (overstimulation). For example, the hormone serotonin, which plays a role in the perception of pain, the feeling of well-being and the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.
- Usually the body recovers at night. Fibromyalgia patients often sleep poorly (due to pain, discomfort), so that their bodies do not recover sufficiently.
Tired, pain and sip
Everyone has muscle pain from time to time, and we are all tired or grumpy from time to time. However, if there are long-lasting pain complaints (longer than 6 months) spread over the body (in the left and/or right half, upper and/or lower body), it is wise to discuss this with the general practitioner or a rheumatologist.
After an extensive interview about your complaints and findings, a physical examination will take place, in which the tender points will be checked, among other things. These are 18 pain points spread over the body on which, based on international agreements, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be made.
Excluding other physical causes and any additional blood or urine tests are also part of making a correct diagnosis.
Symptom Treatment
Since there is no identifiable cause, treatment consists mainly of symptom management:
- pain medication (preferably paracetamol, sometimes NSAID, but these require a stomach protector, in extreme cases local anesthetic or opiates)
- possibly sleeping medication (melatonin) or a mild antidepressant (Amitriptyline)
- daily exercise to keep the body flexible
- mild sports, such as walking, swimming, cycling
- physiotherapy, occupational therapy, Cesar therapy
- balance between activity and rest
- lifestyle adjustment
- guidance rheumatism nurse
Other forms of help
In addition to the standard treatment plan, other treatment options are available. Think about:
- following a multidisciplinary program (exercise/advice/therapy)
- customized fitness and sports programs
- support from a mental coach and/or psychological guidance
- a course yoga, meditation, mindfulness
- support with nutritional supplements, glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids
- alternative treatments with homeopathy, acupuncture, infrared, cures, tai-chi, foot reflexology, magnetism, etc.
Tips
- By keeping a diary or diary, you can map out your activities and see where the focus is. Adjust this if necessary.
- Keep moving: you ‘lubricate’ your joints, as it were, and this benefits the pain.
- It is better to rest an hour before strenuous exercise than to take a painkiller afterwards.
- Bad sleeping? Take a walk in the open air in the evening, drink warm milk, take extra paracetamol for the night or melatonin in consultation.
- In case of pain, look for optimal conditions; this can be movement or rest, warmth, relaxation, distraction (hobby), yoga/meditation.
- Valerian helps with tension, nervousness and insomnia.
- Learn to respect yourself, learn to say no, and learn to accept help.
Sources):
