Teens and Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a painful and devastating disease. People who have fibromyalgia have both chronic and muscle pain. Another characteristic of the disease, often used as part of the diagnosis, is the checking of certain tender points. Some sufferers have problems with sleep and feel very fatigued. Other symptoms include problems with memory, chronic headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. In recent years, as the medical profession and others learned more about the disease, a diagnosis was decided upon. However, doctors want to be sure that the correct diagnosis has been made, so a patient must have had three months of pain and there must be tenderness in specific parts of the body.

When one follows the history of the young person with fibromyalgia, one finds that in the early elementary grades the child may have had stomach pains and other pains in the body. Parents have related going to all types of specialists including urologists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, psychiatrists and others without finding the right diagnosis. Urine, blood tests, x-rays and other medical tests also may not come up with the right diagnosis. Through the months and years of misdiagnosis the teenager has gone through depression, absenteeism from school and other gatherings, lack of energy to play sports and to engage in other activities.

After diagnosis, some help can be given to the teen. Symptoms may be treated, but not cured. Some doctors prescribe medications for depression, pain and sleep. Therapy in a warm pool and certain types of exercise to loosen joints and improve muscle strength may also be helpful. In a few instances the fibromyalgia can be overcome.