Fibromyalgia Updates 2009
2009 July 15
ScienceDaily (June 18, 2009) — Previous studies have shown that fibromyalgia is associated with reductions in gray matter in parts of the brain, but the exact cause is not known. Using sophisticated brain imaging techniques, researchers from Louisiana State University, writing in The Journal of Pain, found that alterations in levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine might be responsible for gray matter reductions. — Fibromyalgia Patients Show Decreases In Gray Matter Intensity
Hi,
I clicked on the Fibromyalgia mention. I have it, too, and have had some pretty tough memory/confusion problems which are part of the reason I am unable to work (pain and fatigue being the others). I wish there had been more about what happens with the dopamine/gray matter interaction. But anyway, when I was diagnosed in 1997, they knew hardly anything about FMS and I am always encouraged by the research that’s happening. Slowly, as I’ve healed of my depression/anxiety/low self-esteem issues, the pain has lessened. Oh, have you tried Lyrica? It knocked out my pain as if I’d never had any (I couldn’t believe it!), but I am allergic to the drug and it caused me breathing difficulties that couldn’t be controlled by other drugs. Anyway, incrdibly to me, I am also writing on a blog and I guess the old adage “use it or lose it” is true in my case, because slowly but surely, ideas, thoughts and words are coming back. Thanks for the news.
@Pam Bickell
I have been aware of fibromylagia in my own body for 20 years. I suffered some confusion early on but don’t experience this frequently now.
As I have multiple food and drug allergies and I have not been and I am not now taking any kind of medications. I’m primarily allergic to legumes and therefore I’m not a vegan or a vegetarian either.
I ingest only vitamins, minerals and whole foods. My diet does not contain any “food products” or “processed foods” or food containing any sort of additives. If I vary that I suffer, so I don’t. I eat locally produced whole foods from organic farms and orchards. I eat wild fish and organically produced meats only 3 days of the week.
I also have been a yogini for over 25 years, so I’m aware of and enjoying its benefits (See: Sleep better and improve your sex life with yoga).
I walk daily. I’m aware of the fibromylagia pain-sleep connection. I’m into getting a good night’s sleep and have made my bedroom into a sleep oasis.
I have learned how to cope with pain, as well as, how to avoid stress triggers that bring on flareups and increased pain, fatigue, and depression.
Please see: Complementary and alternative medicine for fibromyalgia and note my fibromyalgia resources page as well.
Thanks so much for commenting. :)
I feel for you. You appear to be so in touch with yourself and understand what you must do to be whole. This is made so clear in your writings. Asking yourself the self reflecting questions can help so much. I believe that the more we share and help others the more meaningful life becomes for others and more importantly ones-self.
Jim
Thanks so much for your comment and best wishes for happy blogging.
Hey. TT..sorry about the spam links in this comment but thought they could be of use to your readers. Post if you feel it is appropriate.
Fibromyalgia/grey matter issues etc. could often be related to the exposure or overexposure to excitotoxins especially in more susceptible individuals. Poor nutrition including a lack of essential vitamins and minerals to counteract the effects of excitotoxins. More info in my book Live Smart and in depth on excitotoxins in the book by Dr. Richard Blaylock title Excitotoxins. My squidoo page has a list of food additives to avoid if you would like a quick checklist [http://squidoo.com/livesmart]. A link to my book can also be found there or on my blog. Hope that helps. P.S. – if you are a vegan…you can be especially susceptible due to the primary toxic excitotoxins in hydrolyzed soy protien, texturized protien etc. found in most vegan processed foods. Memory and cognition problems are also a result of these compounds.
@Tim
I’m not a vegan. My husband and I eat meat from local organic producers farms or wild caught fish 3 days weekly. We eat only real, whole foods – no fast foods, or processed food products. Thanks for the advice.
That’s interesting. I have a friend who has Fibromyalgia. I’ll let her know about the connection with dopamine.
Please pass my best wishes along to your friend as well as the information.