Q: I have had fibromyalgia since I was 15. What is the possibility that my daughter will also have this condition? Has there been any research on how teenagers develop fibromyalgia?
A: The origin of fibromyalgia is unknown, but recent studies suggest there may be a relationship between fibromyalgia and depression and other mood disturbances. These mood disorders tend to run in families, and there is evidence of an increased frequency of depression among first-degree relatives of people with fibromyalgia. Although children and teenagers can develop fibromyalgia, it is much more common in people over the age of 20 and it predominantly affects women.
Although fibromyalgia is very common, it is difficult to predict the likelihood that any individual will develop it, even with a family history. If you have concerns about your daughter's condition, I recommend that you consult a rheumatologist.
David S. Pisetsky, MD, PhD, Rheumatologist
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I have a healthy attitude and feel good (for me) most of the time. Definitely attitude makes lemonade.
I am fortunate in that my friends and family understand and support me in my needs. Otherwise, life in general would be a real pain.
What I've read and heard and in reading the comments on this site, I do not believe it's hereditary so much as environment. I believe it is an autoimmune system thing and the family traditions and locations and exposures bring it about.
I was told over 40 years ago that 'I was allergic to myself' after developing a severe infection from a minor surgery. Back then we knew very little and maybe because I had led a healthy life style I was able to fend off FMS until the car accident, or maybe it was just the car accident related stress that broke my immune system and the FMS raised it ugly head.
I do not take any medicines or pain relievers. I do the water therapy to get me moving and keep me functioning. I am allergic to most of them and the side effects to Lyrica was atrocious during the 3 weeks I did take it. I believe a good healthy attitude towards life and the gifts we receive each day are the strongest medicine. To embrace the pain and love yourself inspite of it gets me through the day. On those days that it is just way to much for me, I 'love myself' back to strength by pampering myself with good food, good rest, a great book, some good movies and anything else that makes me feel good about me and doesn't make the pain worse.
Looking out upon nature and the beauty of this world, be it animals, landscape, and children, seeing the red skies at night and the white floating clouds of day give me hope and joy and strenghth. My faith is what carries me since meds are off limits.
I worked in a medical field and so was constantly trying to keep up with fibro research and new medications. I tried many meds, some of which would work for a while. I am now on Lyrica and Effexor which seem to be working most of the time. I have hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, irritable colon, chronic sinusitis, allergies, and sleep apnea. All of this sounds suspicious for hyperchondria. Believe me, it is NOT!
I "manage" my fibro by trying to get enough rest at night with a nap most days. I try to eat healthy foods. I try not to accept too many community or church obligations which tend to put one under pressure. I stay at home a lot but try to keep in touch with friends and family via e-mail or phone each day. In spite of everything, there are occasions when I have a few days to a week of dreadful muscle pain and mental fogginess. I can't seem to get enough sleep at such times.
I cannot tolerate much in the way of exercise and have found a class at a local indoor pool which is tailored for arthritis and fibromyalgia patients. This water exercise has been wonderful! It has helped me immeasureably.
I am hopeful that medications will be developed in the future which will not have so many side-effects. May you all find better health in the New Year!
Pat
So far, my biological mom & all three sisters have chronic/acute osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. I believe my older son has a mild form of it and my daughter has it. None of the grandkids show signs so far.
I get where Serah is coming from about the job. Thing is, my job won't give me FMLA. I don't have a disease/disability that SS recognizes yet. Has anyone successfully gotten SS? My hubby wants me to retire, but without my income, we're sunk. Help!!
Thanks all for listening, blessing on us all.
I have had symptoms of fibromyalgia as long as I can remember. I am 47 now and do not deal with depression at all for many years now, fortunately. I had depression severely through my 20's. However, Cymbalta has helped the pain in a very MINOR way..I am completely off of it now.
I started on Savella in March 2011. It is new to the US, since 2009..I just heard of it, this year. At first, I thought that it was a miracle drug and even though it does still work better than anything else that I have ever tried, over the past 15 years of the 'trial and error' process that most of us have experienced through this never ending plight to get back to as 'normal' as we've ever felt. I still take opiates, along with adderal for ADD..
With Savella, my blood pressure went up so, for the first time, I am on BP meds for that. I wouldn't trade Savella in for anything, aside from something else 'new' that will hopefully come to rescue us from this less-than-quality of life circumstance. Before you even consider Savella, be SURE to read up on it online and ask your doctor if it would be something good for you to try, as some people have had some severely BAD reactions to the drug.
I have degenerative disc disease as well as mild RA. Today, I went in and got an epidural on my lower spine, where it is bone to bone and tomorrow, I will be going in for the worst area (C6) in my neck, for an epidural there. I haven't had an epidural in over 10 years but, back then, it was in my neck only and it helped greatly, for around one month. I am hoping for the same results tomorrow. My procedure today,went really well and although, it helped, it is not the most acute area of pain, I won't know the degree of health that I will feel, until after the neck epidural.
My prayers are with all that suffer. I am starting a clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, etc., website and 10% of profits will be going to Alzheimers (the 6th leading cause of death in the US) , my mother and grandmother have it. Also, 10% of the profits will be going to fibromyalgia research. We all know how this disease is easily dismissed and reasons include : that the cause is unknown, it is hard to diagnose, you cannot 'see' it, people that do not deal with chronic pain - simply cannot understand and especially with something that has no 'real definitive' test that can be shown as proof on an x-ray, etc., These things are what lead to the wide spread disbelief from not only some in the medical community but, our family and friends and that hurts each and every one of us emotionally, not only in that, research is not moving at a rate that it would be if you could 'see' fibromyalgia and also, you cannot look at someone and 'see' that they have this horrible disease. One thing about others not 'believing' in fibromyalgia, I always say "They will when they get it"..hehe..I seriously do not wish this fate on anyone, but, that statement makes me feel batter anyway :-).
People want to call it a condition, rather than disease and I beg to differ ! I am certainly suffer "DIS-EASE" on a 24/7 basis. So, I call it disease, no matter what the medical community calls it or not. Unless, a researcher that actually HAS severe fibromyalgia THEMSELVES, can Prove to me that it is NOT, indeed a 'disease', that is what I will continue to call it and believe that it is a disease ! Nevertheless, semantics is not the valuable point. The vital thing, is that we get recognition to the degree that it becomes valid enough to find the cause and most importantly the CURE!
Keep your heads up and keep fighting with whatever you can, no matter how little or how much. We are as valuable as anyone else that suffers with chronic pain 24/7 and we deserve answers.
If I do not get back in here or miss any posts, due to time constraints in all that I am working hard to accomplish between pain and the off and on better minutes, I show up in the fibromyalgia support group as often as I can, on dailystrength.com . It is a great site and may you all Never feel alone in this battle. Check out the site and if it is something for you, I might see you there !
My handle on there is either SistahJewels or SistaJewels on there. (fibro fog moment..hehe).
Gentle Hugs and Prayers for you all,
~Meredith
Basically, my whole spine from my neck down to my coccxy, is affected, my lumbar area being the worst.
I've told both my G.P. and my psychiatrist, that dealing with all these physical problems would probably be MUCH easier if I didn't have anxiety and depression to add to the mix.
I discovered from letters from my Mum to my sister, that our Mum also had arthritis and I never knew! So for sure, that's a genetic proponent right there.
Currently taking Cymbalta for depression & to help reduce pain for my back.
When the days are overcast (seasonal affective disorder) and humidity is high, I feel it! I want to control my pain, not my pain CONTROL me.
through even when it doesn't feel or seem like it. That is what has gotten me this far.
Whatever your faith may be I wish health and
healing for everyone around the world that is going through something. This is my prayer!. For those seeking meds they do help, but remember that to opens a door to another area of addiction so please seek your doctor for all options before starting
anything. Be blessed. As you see I could write a book.
three three and a half weeks ago and my fibro
is very flared up. Between my ostioarthritis,
gout and fibro, I'm in server pain. I'm also
have a legal problem with a company that I'm going to sue. So I'm extremly stressed out. I'm not get the restive sleep that comes with
fibromyalgia. So I'm constantlly tried and I hurt very badly. I wish there was Some narcotics I could take Just,to get rid of this pain. With winter coming on (I live in Missouri it gets very cold), and the arthritis even acts inturupts my sleep. I only get about 4 to 6 hours of sleep most of the time.
Gluten Free is the way to go ! My wrists no longer feel like a welding torch is inside. Still have day with my knees. I have not cried since I started GF. Still have some pain although no where near what it was.
My son has had the symptoms since he was about 17 and now at 33 he has been diagnosed and is having a really bad time with it. My daughter has been having symptoms for about 3 years and now my granddaughter who is 14, is having the symptoms.
I really hate to think that this is the thing that I may be remembered for.
I have degenerative disk desease and stenosis of the spine, i also have sciatica so i had alot of things going on now i am in pain most of the time, I am on lyrica and i know it works i just wish it worked better. I am really interested in a support group here in fresno but cant find one does anyone know of one?
All I know is I am in a lot of pain and exhausted all of the time. Muscle aches and headaches.
Lets all pray for a drug to be developed that will treat this dreaded disease.
So, although they were from Australia, Canada, etc., their roots traced back to Ireland with anywhere from 12.5%-75% Irish heritage! What about you?
Now I believe that both of my grown children have it. They haven't been officially diagnoised but just from my experience with it, I do believe that it has been passed on by me.
As for any other female relatives having it, back in those days, no one had an answer and they pretty much had to live with it.
I do have a cousin that has Lupus but I'm not sure if there is any connection there since we are not in contact.
found a support group, I knew nothing about how to live with fibro.
A good friend has it and her daughter was just diagnosed. The daughter's paternal aunt has both FM and CFS.
My friend and I had to retire early because of our fibromyalgia (she also has post-polio). My daughter is unable to work because of it. It has affected both of our families very much.
I fear that one of my kids, now age 9, will develop it b/c I see him having a lot of physical troubles that I had at his age.
In the future, I bet doctors will see the genetic link for sure.
Mother had it. Two out of her 3 children have it. Three out of four grandchildren have it and so far, one great grand child has it.
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