Dalhousie professor emerita Barbara Keddy discusses theories of causes and types of treatments for fibromyalgia
“Drug approved. Is disease real?”
“Does it really exist or is it all in women’s heads?”
“The doctors are in. The jury is out. “
The New York Times headlines rankle Barbara Keddy. For more than 40 years, she has suffered from fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain and fatigue. But the condition is little understood and difficult to diagnose. As borne out by the headlines, some doctors are hesitant to acknowledge it even exists.
After retiring from teaching at Dalhousie University four years ago, Dr. Keddy decided it was time for an in-depth investigation of fibromyalgia, which is much more common among women than men and so has become known as primarily “a woman’s disease.” As a nurse, medical sociologist, university professor and researcher who suffers from the condition herself, she has a unique perspective to offer. [continue reading…]
Published: April 25, 2008
Are you exhausted? Do you have pain all over but can’t figure out what’s wrong? If so, you may be suffering from fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes exhaustion, sleep disturbances and diffuse pain in your muscles, tendons, and ligaments.Fibromyalgia patients experience a range of symptoms of varying intensities that increase and decrease over time and often resemble other conditions. For years, because of their complex nature and a lack of research on the condition, many doctors misdiagnosed fibromyalgia symptoms or dismissed them as being in the patient’s head. Even today, it is estimated to take an average of five years for a fibromyalgia patient to get an accurate diagnosis. [continue reading…]
Pain all over, fatigue and difficulty sleeping — and no measurable answer for what could be wrong.
That scenario may be familiar for the estimated 2 percent of Americans affected by fibromyalgia. The April issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter describes this sometimes frustrating condition and the cornerstones of successful treatment. [continue reading…]
Published: March 19, 2008
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are two serious and debilitating diseases with no confirmed cause and limited treatment options. However, results of a new comprehensive literature study propose a simplified treatment process that could help alleviate symptoms for patients suffering from these diseases.
Kent Holtorf, M.D., medical director of the Holtorf Medical Group Center for Endocrine, Neurological and Infection Related Illness in Torrance, Calif., is advising a simplified treatment process that may help alleviate CFS and FM symptoms. [continue reading…]
