Fibromyalgia For Dummies or Dynamics of Fitness

Fibromyalgia For Dummies

Author: Staud

The pain you suffer from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is not in your imagination. FMS is a real medical problem that can be as debilitating and demoralizing as it is mysterious. Fibromyalgia For Dummies, Second Edition, brings you the latest scientific findings on the symptoms and causes of this disease and guides you toward proven, practical steps you can take reduce or eliminate FMS-related pain.

This plain-English guide is fully updated with the latest fibromyalgia treatment options, and evaluations of new medications that have shown great promise in reducing pain. You'll discover how to spot an array of symptoms and their possible causes, work with your physician to develop a treatment plan, and manage your pain at home and in the office. You'll learn how to:

• Identify your FMS trigger points

• Cope with chronic pain and sleep problems

• Find medications that work for you

• Locate a physician who can really help you

• Make healing lifestyle changes

• Use hands-on therapies to alleviate pain

• Find effective over-the-counter and prescription medications

• Choose among alternative therapies and treatments

• Reduce the emotional distress caused by FMS

• Help a child with FMS

Featuring moving and inspiring stories from fellow FMS sufferers who share their stories and offer invaluable tips on working your way back to wellness, Fibromyalgia for Dummies, Second Edition offers serious and sensitive guidance to help you overcome FMS and start being yourself again.

Table of Contents:

	Introduction	1
	About This Book	2
	Conventions Used in This Book	2
	Foolish Assumptions	3
	How This Book Is Organized	3
	Icons Used in This Book	5
	Where to Go from Here	6
Part I	Fibromyalgia Is the Real Deal: What It Is and Is Not	7
Chapter 1	Yes, Fibromyalgia Is Real	9
	Dumping Your Doubts about the Validity of FMS	9
	Examining the Symptoms, Causes, and Pain Problems Associated with FMS	10
	Considering Who Gets FMS	12
	Looking at Related Medical Problems	12
	Finding a Doctor Who's a "True Believer" in Fibromyalgia	13
	Treating the Problem	14
	Making Lifestyle Changes: Pulling Yourself into a Non-Fibro World	14
	Coping with Fibromyalgia at Home and on the Job	15
	Do You Have Fibromyalgia? A Self-test	17
Chapter 2	Recognizing Key Symptoms of Fibromyalgia	21
	Describing Where It Hurts: Everywhere!	22
	Feeling Extremely Fatigued	24
	Facing Fibro Fog: Mental Malaise	26
	Weathering Your Reactions to Weather	27
	Dealing with Common Sleep Disorders	28
	Experiencing Related Medical Problems	28
Chapter 3	Understanding Possible Causes of Fibromyalgia	37
	What is for Certain About Fibromyalgia	38
	Down But Not Out: Physical Trauma	38
	Catching FMS	42
	Regarding Gulf War Syndrome	45
	Studying Chemical Imbalances	47
	Examining Environmental Causes	49
	Exploring Other Theories	50
	Looking to the Future	54
Chapter 4	Understanding Fibromyalgia Pain	55
	Grasping Pain and Why People Have to Have It	56
	Regarding the Different Kind of Pain That's Fibromyalgia	58
	Working with Your Doctor to Manage FMS Pain	59
Part II	Finding Out If You Have Fibromyalgia	65
Chapter 5	Who Gets Picked to Have Fibromyalgia?	67
	Looking at the Numbers: Who Has FMS?	68
	Wondering Why Women Suffer More from FMS than Men	68
	Considering How FMS Relates to Women's Ages	69
	FMS and Men: It Isn't Just a Woman Thing	71
Chapter 6	Identifying Diseases Often Confused with Fibromyalgia	73
	Understanding the Uncertainty	74
	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome	75
	Myofascial Pain Syndrome	78
	Arthritis	81
	Thyroid Disease	84
	The Other Suspects	86
Chapter 7	Working with a Good Fibromyalgia Doc: You Need a True Believer	91
	Working with Your Primary Care Doctor	92
	Looking Elsewhere for a Doctor: How to Know if It's Time	94
	Considering Types of Specialists	95
	Finding a Good Specialist (Or New Primary Care Doctor)	97
	Interviewing Your Physician Candidate: What's Up, Doc?	100
Chapter 8	Getting Physical: Your Initial Exam and Diagnosis	103
	Diving into Your Medical History: What the Doctor Should Ask You	104
	Volunteering Info if the Doc Doesn't Ask You	105
	Getting All Your Questions Out in the Open	108
	Identifying the Tender Points of Fibromyalgia	109
	Test-ifying About FMS	111
Part III	Getting to Wellness: How Fibromyalgia is Treated	117
Chapter 9	Medicating the Problem: Over-the-Counter Drugs May Help	119
	Examining the Nuts and Bolts of Guaifenesin	120
	Relieving Pain with Painkillers	126
	Warming up to Cold Remedies for FMS	128
	Talking About Topical Remedies	129
Chapter 10	Prescribing Health with Medications	133
	Relaxing Your FMS: Muscle Relaxants	134
	Easing Pain with Painkillers	135
	Reducing Inflammation: NSAIDs	140
	Fighting FMS with Antidepressants	141
	Other Prescribed Medicines for FMS	143
	Opening Your Eyes to Info on Sleep Remedies	146
	Thinking About Future Remedies	147
Chapter 11	Using Hands-On Therapies	149
	Chilling Out! Icing the Pain	149
	Heating Up the Problem: Heat Therapy	151
	Massaging the Problem: Massage Therapy	153
	An Electrifying Solution: TENS	159
	Considering Chiropractors	161
Chapter 12	Considering Alternative Remedies and Treatments	163
	Thinking Through Alternative Remedies	164
	Fighting FMS Naturally with Herbs and Supplements	165
	Pinning Down a Solution: Acupuncture	168
	Beating FMS with Botox Injections	171
	Taking On T'ai Chi	174
	Repelling Magnet Therapy	175
	Smelling Your Way to Health with Aromatherapy	176
Part IV	Lifestyle Changes: What You Can Do on Your Own	177
Chapter 13	Depressurizing Yourself: Controlling the Stress-Eyed Monster	179
	Knowing When You're Too Stressed	180
	Chilling Out with Relaxation Therapy	182
	Stress-busting with Biofeedback Therapy	184
	Mesmerizing the Pain: Hypnotherapy	186
	Meditating, Doing Yoga, and Praying	189
Chapter 14	Sweet Dreams! Combating Sleep Disorders	191
	What is Sleep?	192
	Understanding the Importance of Sleep Stages	193
	Identifying Key Sleep Problems	195
	Analyzing Your Sleep: A Self-test	197
	Adjusting Your Lifestyle to Cope with the Problem	199
	Slipping Into Slumber Using Medications and Other Remedies	201
Chapter 15	Exercising, Losing Weight, and Avoiding Trigger Foods/Drinks	205
	Exercising to Relieve FMS Pain	206
	Exploring Pain-Relieving Exercises	207
	Losing Weight to Decrease Pain and Fatigue	214
	Discovering Dietary Effects: Good Foods/Bad Foods	218
Chapter 16	Coping with Emotions: Your Own	221
	Dealing with Depression	222
	Determining If Your Problem Is Anxiety	223
	Taking Your Emotional Temperature	224
	Finding a Therapist	226
	Treating Emotional Problems with Medication	228
Part V	Living and Working with Fibromyalgia	231
Chapter 17	Working with Fibromyalgia--Or Going on Disability	233
	Explaining Fibromyalgia to Your Boss and Coworkers: Should You?	234
	Deciding Whether You Should Stay at Your Job	236
	Getting Your Insurance Company to Pay for Treatment	238
	Taking the Next Step If FMS Is Disabling	241
	Finding an Attorney to Help You	245
Chapter 18	Helping Loved Ones Deal with Your Fibromyalgia	247
	Understanding How Fibromyalgia Can Affect Your Relationships	248
	Putting Yourself in the Right Frame of Mind	249
	Opening Up for Some Honest Dialogue	250
	Anticipating Difficulties	251
	Knowing How to Respond to "Helpful" Comments	252
	Helping Your Significant Other Cope	253
	Explaining FMS to Your Kids	255
	Joining a Support Group	257
Chapter 19	Helping Someone You Care About Who's Hurting	261
	Understanding Without Feeling Their Pain	262
	Coping with Your Own Emotions	267
	Going to Support Meetings	270
Chapter 20	Parenting a Child with Fibromyalgia	271
	Looking at Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Children	272
	Accurately Diagnosing the Problem	274
	Getting Help for Your Child with Fibromyalgia	275
	Treating a Child with Fibromyalgia	275
	Including Your Children Who Don't Have Fibromyalgia	277
	Working with Your Child's Teacher	277
	Dealing with Jeers from Peers	280
Part VI	The Part of Tens	283
Chapter 21	Ten Ways to Explain Fibromyalgia to Everyone (Even Your Doctor!)	285
Chapter 22	Ten Must-Dos for Everyone with Fibromyalgia	289
Chapter 23	Ten Ways to Beat the Effects of Brain Fog	295
Chapter 24	Ten Myths about Fibromyalgia	299
Part VII	Appendixes	303
Appendix A	Glossary	305
Appendix B	Fibromyalgia Medications	309
Appendix C	Resources and Support	315
	Index	321

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Hopper (history, U. of Pittsburgh) traces the life of Kato Shidzue, one of Japan's most powerful female activists and politicians, focusing on her work in the birth control and women's rights movements in the 1920s and 1930s and her career in postwar politics, and exploring her personal life as a wife and mother and her secret liaison with a political labor leader. Includes b&w photos. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)