Fibromyalgia: Researchers Find Main Source of Pain in Blood Vessels

[ellenrr]

Researchers have found the main source of pain in Fibromyalgia patients, and contrary to what many believe, it does not stem from the brain. The findings mark the end of a decades-old mystery about the disease, which many doctors believed was conjured in patients’ imaginations. The mystery of Fibromyalgia has left millions of sufferers searching for hope in pain medications. Up until recently, many physicians thought that the disease was “imaginary” or psychological, but scientists have now revealed that the main source of pain stems from a most unlikely place- excess blood vessels in the hand.

Neuroscientist Dr. Frank L. Rice explained: “We previously thought that these nerve endings were only involved in regulating blood flow at a subconscious level, yet here we had evidences that the blood vessel endings could also contribute to our conscious sense of touch… and also pain,” Rice said. “This mismanaged blood flow could be the source of muscular pain and achiness, and the sense of fatigue which are thought to be due to a build-up of lactic acid and low levels of inflammation fibromyalgia patients. This, in turn, could contribute to the hyperactivity in the brain.”

http://guardianlv.com/2013/06/fibromyalgia-mystery-finally-solved/

[FarPoint]

1. This makes a lot of sense.

[bemildred]

2. Scientists have a bias towards thinking anything they don't understand is imaginary.

I mean, we're the experts, right?

Skepticism is a good thing, but when you don't know, "I don't know" is a better answer than "I don't understand that, it must be imaginary". It leaves you open to new information, which you need if you are eventually to understand.

[LiberalLoner]

4. Not scientists....doctors.

I was told my symptoms were all in my head....until it turned out I actually have had MS for over a decade. Oops!

[bemildred]

5. I don't think that much of doctors, so I'd rather talk about scientists. nt

[LiberalLoner]

6. LOL, I hear you.

[bemildred]

7. I mean there are scientists who are doctors, and doctors who are scientists.

But there is no necessary connection between the two, and usually the person in the office who is a doctor is not a scientist, but a highly-skilled (we hope) technician, though he will have had some scientific training.

[sorefeet]

8. I'll never trust a doctor again

Just more corporate shills, profits are the priority.

[bemildred]

10. Too broad a brush for me.

Sometimes they are nice people, and sometimes they do come in handy.

[elias7]

13. You may not be aware of this...

But there are a number of doctors who are longstanding members of DU, including this member. I am no corporate shill, don't hold profits as a priority, and do not deserve to start with you in a position of distrust. Maybe you can be more broad minded and leave the pigeonholing and simplistic thinking to the Fox News people, who you can trash talk all you like AFAIC...

[postulater]

12. So it all was in your head after all?

Or in your spinal cord?

[bemildred]

14. +1. nt

[FailureToCommunicate]

3. "Mismanaged blood flow in the hands"?!? Well, my father had no hands (or arms for that matter) and

he suffered terribly for a year with fibromyalgia. And he was certainly NOT 'making it up.' He was one of the most stoic non- complainers I ever knew.
Glad to hear the scientists are starting to get a handle on this awful malady.


Thanks for posting this, ellenrr.

[pnwmom]

9. When I was growing up they thought asthma was psychosomatic.

And I knew that, so I tried not to complain . . .

Nowadays they know it's a disease of inflammation. So I'm not surprised at all the same thing is happening with fibromyalgia -- especially because my own fibromyalgia went away when my GI doc told me I had to stop eating gluten.

[LittleGirl]

11. wow, you found a smart doctor!?

I had to give up gluten when I found that I had Hashimoto's (Thyroiditis) and all of the research shows to heal the gut and give up gluten. It won't cure you of it but it will minimize the symptoms. I've been gluten free since April and I feel fabulous now.

I've read several in my group that have fibromyalgia too and giving up gluten and inflammatory foods helped them. I'm happy to see it posted on DU! The word is getting out. Gluten=poison!

Cheers.

[rocktivity]

15. But I thought fibromyalgia was one of those psychosomatic "women's diseases"

like menstrual cramps.


rocktivity