Fibromyalgia syndrome

by Dr. Murray Susser — 

A large number of people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome also suffer from pain caused by FMS.

Suppose you have muscle pain that will not go away and doctors are not helping much. The best feedback you get is that it is labeled as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). But, what does that mean?

Fibromyalgia syndrome may not be a disease. It is a symptom or set of symptoms that could be caused by many diseases, most of which are hidden.

Interestingly, a large number of people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome also suffer from pain caused by FMS. This pain can be mild, moderate or agonizing, and it can worsen fatigue and depression, totally debilitating a person over time.

The many facets of FMS puzzle doctors when it comes to diagnosis and treatment, as there is currently no definitive laboratory or imaging test. Painkillers do not work very well, and neither do anti-inflammatory drugs, such as cortisone and aspirin.

The current way to diagnose FMS borders on ridiculous. A doctor presses his finger on 18 specific points on your body. If he finds that 11 of them are tender, then you have a diagnosis. So this begs the question of what is it called when only 10 spots are tender? The doctor also can exert too much or too little pressure on all 18 spots, depending on the deftness of the tester, which makes the diagnosis very subjective.

Fibromyalgia syndrome is most likely caused by a hidden infection. Many infections cause muscle pain and fatigue, even the flu. For example, one patient who had seen 64 doctors for pain was found to have a slight soreness under one tooth. After panoramic dental X-rays indicated an abscess, a good dentist drained it, and the patient was treated with Lincocin® injections, an antibiotic that penetrates resistant infections very well. Herbs and antioxidants were used to boost her immune system, and she enjoyed a full recovery. This is a perfect example of how finding and treating the hidden infection can work wonders for many FMS patients.

Murray R. Susser, M.D.(H), M.D., specializes in persistent chronic diseases including CFS and FMS, bio-identical hormones and healthy diet. He has been a pioneer in IV therapies and detoxification and is the author of Solving the Puzzle of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 480-240-2600.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 30, Number 1, Feb/Mar 2011.