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Unexplained pain disorder diagnosis is commonly & medically transcribed “characteristic of fibromyalgia pain.” However, the worse thing about unexplained pain depression is not knowing where the pain disorder originates and how to effectively alleviate, or remove the pain. So we seek medical help to resolve our pain disorder issues commonly treated with strong “mental health” prescription drugs.

In this case, instead of “status quo” pychosomatic (mind-to-body) pain connection; a “not so well known” reversal of “undiagnosed (not medically substantiated)” neurological soft tissue damage creates the opposite pain pathology… In which physical pain can cause great depression effecting mental health. This my friends is much harder for medical specialist to diagnose and agree upon actual causes of any particular “unsubtantiated pain disorder(s).” And in many cases, unexplained physical pain disorders are now receiving a fibromyalgia diagnosis which is an easy out for much of our medical community; good for the pharmaceutical companies and horrible for these unique pain disorder outpatients.

In otherwords, it’s much easier “in many cases, not all” for physicians to prescribe psycotropic drugs for mental health conditions believed to be the cause of physical pain (mind-body neurological pathology connection). But when unsubstantiated physical acute pain becomes chronic… Much pain depression occurs from the body-mind connection pathology. This in turn causes depression of the mind originating from the body (non diagnosed origin).

In many of those suffering from physical pain seek pain alleviation to no avail because the pain never originated from a mental health cause pathology problem. Now if this undiagnosed physical problem continues on too long without the necessary intervention; a mental health ill-health condition begins to surface, then “can cause” phycosomatic health issues. The bottom line… substantiated pain origins must be determined to not worsen encompassing health issues in these unique outpatient situations.

This is a whole different ballgame for which our HMO’s don’t handle well. I know this from personal experience. I know our medical community has the technology to provide appropriate diagnosis in many pain disorder cases. However, HMO specialist disagree all to often and always seem to subjectively diagnose, label and prescribe medications all too often that are not effective and potentially cause further harm to patients. Once given a “labeled” diagnosis through subjectivity makes it very hard for some patience to receive further appropriate and timely referals; and other necessary help, i.e., further safe/healthy treatment, state services, e.g., Financial disability assistance, etc.

Tell your story in the comments section about pain depression, fibromyalgia experiences/connection, disability support, or lack thereof so we can help steer each other to pain free bodies and minds. If interested in a fresh chronic pain forum to discuss this issue I can start one under a unique Face Book discussion topic (Click on MA Blog Article at Top of this page, click on FB Fan Badge and start a topic of interest, or chime in here.   

Fibromyalgia Basics:  Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain and stiffness in the muscles, tendons and ligaments.  Although an exact cause of this condition has not been directly identified, it is thought that a major player to this chronic condition resides within the brains serotonin levels which affects mood.  Lower levels of serotonin are known to stimulate depression and with depression psychosomatic illness occurs (we get depressed for long periods of time, our bodies get sick & physical illness often ensues).  There seems to be a direct correlation between depression, lack of sleep, restlessness, disturbances in bowel function and super sensitivity with touch and key trigger point pain receptors transmitted via the central nervous system (brain).  Fatigue combined with depression can trigger infection, or other trauma and disease to the body. 

    This condition is tough for many physicians to nail down and diagnose as fibromyalgia.  This is because unlike rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus there is no swelling, external-internal tissue damage, or joint-muscle deformity.  The patient is healthy otherwise but suffers from chronic muscular pain and stiffness without swelling, deformity or bruising.  Apparent common denominators of those that suffer from fibromyalgia are as follows.  Researchers find elevated levels of “Substance P” (Chemical Nerve Signal) and “Nerve Growth Factor” (Found in the spinal fluid) and lower levels of “serotonin” (Brain Nerve Chemical) from laboratory specimen fluid samples.  The effected populace tends to be women between the ages of 35-55.  This condition rarely takes a toll on men, the elderly or children, although it does occur.  Women with fibromyalgia in the U.S. represent over 80% of those diagnosed with this condition.  The total populace affected by fibromyalgia in the US represents 2% of our population.  Fibromyalgia was formally known as fibrosistis (a group of disorders characterized by widespread body aches and pains in muscle, connective tissue, joints and bone).   Other triggers that can activate the fibromyalgia condition include exposure to dampness, or cold and certain infections.  Pain is usually worse in the morning. Fibromyalgia is not considered a psychological disorder.

Recommendations
1.     See your doctor if you experience any/combination of the conditions listed above, or below.
        a.     Chronic body pain for more than 3 months above and below the waist.
        b.     Feel pain in at least 11-18 possible tender points when light pressure is applied.
        c.     Where depression and thoughts of suicide are common (psychosomatic illnesses).
2.     If family member exhibits: Panic attacks, hostility, restlessness, hyperactivity, sleeplessness, etc.
3.     If prescribed anti-depressants, a family member should watch for adverse character changes.
        a.     Adverse behavior risk is more prominent within adults under 24 and children.
        b.     A 2 month watch if prescribed anti-depressants to combat fibromyalgia is recommended.
4.     Hot showers-spray localized area, use heating pads, whirlpool, hot compresses, gentle message.
5.     Stretching and conditioning, relaxation, alleviate stress, biofeedback for contracted muscles.
6.     Aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Cortisone and local anesthetic injections “trigger points.”
7.     Antidepressants – Per doctor recommendations, Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI).
8.     Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these interfere with sleep.
9.     Prevention – Get adequate sleep and general conditioning and exercise, proper nutrition.

 Author:  Marc T. Woodard, MBA, BS Exercise Science, USA Medical Services Officer, CPT, RET.  2009 Copyright.  All rights reserved, Mirror Athlete Publishing @: www.mirrorathlete.com,  Sign up for your Free eNewsletter.