November 2002

« September   Patty H. Ι Bobbie R.     December »

Since 1999, Patty has been in and out of hospitals. She's had so much surgery that she feels like a pin cushion. Her physical pains have caused depression. She led such an active, independent life, with a NEW career in Nursing, and NOW, she has to be inactive and dependent because her driving privileges got taken away. Both of her sons are in the military....one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast. And the distance from her sons' and their families just adds to her depression.

Patty's favorite colors are dark blue and kelly green. She likes cats and dogs and her favorite type of flower is a rose. Her favorite scents are vanilla and lavender and she collects plates with designs on them.

Patty is pictured here with her husband and sons with their families. In the left back is our longtime CAC Friend and ShareaCard participant Gina H. From Virginia and her little daughter in the front right Danielle is one of our ColoraCard Kids.

What exactly is fibromyalgia? (FM)
FM is a "chronic invisible illness". It's actually a type of neurotransmitter dysfunction. Neurotransmitters are what the brain uses to tell the body what to do. In FM there is an abnormal production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, melatonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and other chemicals which help control pain, mood, sleep and the immune system. FM patients don't look sick, so they are often victimized by clinicians, family, and friends, leaving them with self-doubt, guilt, and loss of self- esteem. The symptoms of this illness is so extensive, so I will just name a few: headaches, loss of balance, dizziness, esophageal reflux, muscle twitches, over-whelming fatigue, blurring of the eyes or double vision, leg cramps, hypoglycemic-like symptoms, problems swallowing, immune dysfunction, allergies and sensitivities, sciatica, hives and rashes, numbness or tingling, mood swings, confusional states--the list goes on and on, but to sum it up "a FM patient will wake up every morning feeling like they've been run over by a truck". FM patients have 3 times the normal amount of substance P in their spinal fluid. Substance P tells the body how much pain it feels. They also have more pain receptors. Little things that others take for granted, like wringing out a wash cloth, or writing a letter, become pain endurance sessions.

This info from: Fibromyalgia/Myofascial Pain Syndrome Handout # 3
A Guide for Relatives and Companions
Devin Starlanyl, M.D.

If you would like the entire handout you can download it here.