Fibromyalgia And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Misunderstood Suffering

There are second or third order diseases, the kind that, despite having always existed, have recently been included in medical manuals and in international disease catalogs. Likewise, they are the ones that receive the least scientific research and, in essence, the ones that are most often made invisible by society. Examples of this are fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Those who know these conditions on their own skin know the journey involved in receiving a correct diagnosis. On average, it can take between 3 and 5 years. In many cases, they are tried to convince them that this suffering is the result of a psychosomatic disorder or, even more, the effect of a stressful life, of a mind that fables with physical pain.

However, neither after fibromyalgia nor after chronic fatigue is there any invention. They are not the result of neurasthenia, of that disorder associated with emotional instability or depression. We know that there is a failure in the modulation of pain in the central nervous system, that there is an overactivation of certain receptors in the spinal cord capable of causing this generalized suffering in almost the entire body.

There are ailments that don’t show up on an X-ray or blood test and still exist. They are latent and completely alter the quality of life of those who suffer from them.

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, two little-known diseases

Every May 12 is celebrated the day of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The objective is to give greater visibility to this series of diseases that are always accompanied by social misunderstanding. The simple fact that a person requests, for example, sick leave due to any of these conditions is often the subject of criticism and extremely complex problems.

Likewise, in the medical history of these patients it is common that many end up going through the consultation of a psychiatrist. Hardly anyone understands why certain types of light cause them so much pain, why they have trouble sleeping, or why some days it is impossible for them to get out of bed. It is not weakness, it is not a whim or a bad streak.

They are diseases with a real organic origin. Clinical realities that affect 2 and 4% of the population, the majority of which are women.

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome: different, but linked

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are related. The first is a rheumatological disease characterized by generalized chronic pain accompanied by hypersensitivity. The second defines a very debilitating condition for which the person suffers from persistent exhaustion; mere physical or mental effort invalidates them in most cases.

Chronic fatigue syndrome would have an inflammatory origin (not rheumatological) and in many cases, as indicated by the Chronic Fatigue Unit of the Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, ​​a viral trigger is even suspected, such as Epstein-Barr, the cytomegalovirus or herpesvirus type 6.

Now, something that both conditions have in common is an alteration in the central nervous system, a problem that generates greater perception of pain, exhaustion, sleep disturbances, cognitive problems such as deficits in attention and concentration, memory, etc.

It’s time to stop questioning the pain

Something that fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome patients demand is that their pain stop being questioned. When a person goes to primary care showing joint and muscular suffering and physical exhaustion and the clinical tests do not offer a clear diagnosis, this clinical picture should not be questioned. We need more trained professionals in these types of conditions.

In the case of fibromyalgia, there are genetic alterations that mediate the appearance of this disease. We even have biomarkers capable of identifying chronic fatigue syndrome.

Stanford University, for example, published a few years ago a test capable of identifying these ailments that generally receive a late diagnosis, leading patients to a state of frustration and a feeling of abandonment by medical institutions.

Also, beyond the physical pain, there is that emotional pain that is unique to each patient. Each person goes through a particular reality and manages their illness with more or less skillful strategies. In many cases, the impact of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome can be immense, affecting the work, emotional, family, etc.

Multidisciplinary units to treat these chronic diseases

As with other chronic diseases, qualified multidisciplinary teams are needed in the treatment of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Therefore, health institutions recommend that the following aspects should be reinforced:

• Early detection and improvement of diagnosis (tests, interviews, clinical tests to rule out other diseases, analysis of personal history …)
• Assessment of pain and associated symptoms.
• Appropriate pharmacological support for each person.
• Psychological support in order to improve the emotional aspect, the quality of life, the relational aspects, etc. The therapy will be both individual and group.
• Physiotherapist intervention.

To conclude, it is necessary to give greater visibility and awareness to this type of chronic diseases. A part of our population sees their daily lives very limited and needs answers, support and greater social recognition. Let’s keep it in mind.