Fibromyalgia [posted 8/13/98]
Question: I have been diagnosed with fibro myalgia and recently started a new job close to a year ago. I find I can't perform certain duties and brought it to my boss' attention. As a result, I may be on the unemployment line soon. Do you have any suggestions on disability insurance here in Florida or if I have any recourse.

Answer: According to the American Disabilities Act they are required to make an effort to allow you to perform your job. Check the law before you quit - there are legal remedies although not foolproof.

Fibromyalgia
Question: I have been diagnosed as having fibromyalgia, but the doctor didn't do any tests or even check the pressure points. I am 50 years old and have degenerative disk disease, but there is something else bothering me. Generally feeling like I've been hit by a truck, stiffness, aches, extreme fatigue, anemia, muscle twitches, funny feeling in neck and jaw -- hard to describe but sort of like a pulse in there. I'm constantly aware of it. Sort of like numb but not. This also occurs in my legs.

Answer: Technically fibromyalgia is diagnosed with multiple"trigger points" -usually in excess of 10 or 15. Your symptoms certainly sound like fibromyalgia and if you have numerous trigger points is probably the diagnosis.

Fibromyalgia
Question: Is there a cure for this syndrome on the horizon?

Answer: To cure a disease it is necessary to understand the cause. Unfortunately, there is no current explanation for fibromyalgia. There are several internet sites concerning this disease and a national newsletter. I would follow them, although much of the information on these sites is not researched. This disease suffers from a lack of diagnostic or treatment options. As a consequence, many �treatments� have sprung up. In general, when there are many treatment options none is very successful.

Back to Drug InfoNet Home Page.