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LIVING WITH FIBROMYALGIA: HOPE AND HEALING
Mollie Hanson, Psy.D., LP, and Allison Truttmann, LCPC

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Signs and symptoms of FMS can include burning, aching joints, tiredness or fatigue, inability to sleep, mood disturbances, and flu-like symptoms. If any of these signs and symptoms sound familiar, you may have FMS and if so, you are not alone. Approximately 2% of the general population in the United States suffers from FMS and it is more common in women (3.4%) than men (0.5%). FMS is quickly becoming a more known diagnosis in the medical and psychological community, yet many people continue to feel alone when told that they suffer from this condition.

FMS is a painful, chronic condition affecting many areas of the body and is diagnosed when the person is experiencing the following symptoms:

• Musculoskeletal pain affecting specific areas of the body

• Pain that is present for longer than three consecutive months

• Having 11 out of 18 specific “tender points” being extremely sore to the touch. (See Figure 1)

Other symptoms can include:

• Tension headaches

• Painful nodules underneath the skin

• Redness of the skin

• Irritable bowel syndrome

In addition, suffering from FMS can result in loss of mobility, weight gain, depression, and anxiety.



There are a number of different options open to people with FMS. Counseling, stress management techniques, biofeedback, healthy nutrition, exercise, mobility training through physical therapy, support groups, and medication are all options open to people suffering from FMS. In fact, research indicates that the best outcomes for people with FMS are those who are involved in a multidisciplinary program.

A psychologist or counselor plays an important role in the treatment of a person coping with FMS. Dealing with FMS can be frightening when you don’t know what to expect from your body, and dealing with the unknown can leave a person feeling alone. Alienation and lack of understanding from friends, family, and medical professionals can add to the frightening experience of being diagnosed with FMS. During counseling, you can expect to learn additional tools and skills for coping with FMS, how to communicate your needs to friends and family, as well as learn how to help people understand your experiences related to FMS. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help you become more aware of, and control, thoughts and actions that affect your pain. Psychologists and counselors can also direct you to an appropriate fibromyalgia treatment program within your community.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome causes changes in our body that are stressful, and everyday life stressors can exacerbate the pain caused by FMS. Stress decreases our ability to heal, and increases the chance we can become ill. Therefore, it is essential to learn stress management techniques in order to help our bodies heal as effectively as possible. These techniques include progressive muscle relaxation, imagery, visualization, biofeedback, and working with a counselor to improve sleep habits.

Biofeedback (also called sensory integration biofeedback) is a way to help a patient learn to control physiological symptoms that are affected by pain caused by FMS. Biofeedback works by using various instruments that measure temperature, skin conductance (a measure of your body’s comfort level), muscle tension, heart rate, and breathing. Biofeedback can improve our ability to cope with pain, and decrease sleep disturbances. In fact, recognizing that we have as much control over our bodies as we do can help us improve our quality of life, social interactions, and vocational capabilities.

One of the problems with the pain caused by FMS is that it results in limited mobility, which leads to increased anxiety, depression, weight gain, and sleep disturbances. Exercise is a vital component in the treatment and management of FMS. A good physical therapy program offers the appropriate exercise equipment and instruction to reduce the likelihood of burnout and painful flare-ups of symptoms; which could cause a person to lose the motivation necessary to improve quality of life. Proper nutrition is also important, and talking with a dietician that works specifically with FMS can help you to create an individualized meal plan that can best meet your needs.

The pain associated with FMS can often stop us from participating in the lifestyle we desire. Appropriate medications can help us accomplish our goals by managing pain, improving sleep, and increasing alertness. Talking with the right doctor can help us improve our daily functioning.

Several resources are available in Bloomington-Normal. Psychology Specialists with offices located at the Millennium Pain Center, Midwest Regional Pain Center, and the OSF Center for Health will be combining services to offer a comprehensive fibromyalgia program starting in April 2007. For information about this program or to sign up, call Allison Truttmann, LCPC at the Millennium Pain Center at telephone number 309-662-4321, Ex. 212.

Psychology Specialists, Specializing in Health Psychology. “Our goal is to provide each patient with timely personal attention and work closely with each physician involved in the patient’s treatment to promote healing and the highest quality of life.”