Is Fibromyalgia an Autoimmune Disease?

From thebluediamondgallery.comIf you were diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, you’re probably aware of the unrelenting pain, soreness, and fatigue that this disease causes. Pain and fatigue are the most significant symptoms of fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia often have difficulty sleeping, and might have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Medications for fibromyalgia only give temporary relief. Doctors frequently prescribe opiates, which desensitize your brain to pain signals. This is a poor treatment strategy, but you might not have been given any other option.

People with Fibromyalgia sometimes suffer from autoimmune diseases, which have led some people to believe that Fibromyalgia is autoimmune. This is probably not the case, although the symptoms can be similar. Pain, fatigue, and digestive problems are common in autoimmune diseases, as well as fibromyalgia. This can result in misdiagnosis, and ineffective treatments.

Many conditions can be mistaken for fibromyalgia. Aluminum exposure can cause macrophagic myofasciitis, causing pain. Sub-acute gout can cause pain that could be mistaken for fibromyalgia. Hypothyroidism can cause similar symptoms also.

In 2010, the American College Of Rheumagology changed the way that they diagnose fibromyalgia. The new criteria makes it easier to prescribe drugs, while not addressing the underlying conditions.

The term “Central Sensitizitaion Syndrome” refers to the feelings of pain in the muscles. Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a similar condition, with the same causes. In both cases, pain is compounded by inflammation that causes the brain to be hypersensitized to feelings of pain. In other words, pain signals originating in muscles is amplified by the brain, because of inflammation. Inflammation may come from metabolic dysfunction, or an immune system that is over active. While autoimmunity can cause inflammation, it’s more likely that the immune system is triggered by some other factor. Here are some possible triggers:

  • An imbalance of bacteria in the small intestine
  • Intestinal bacteria produce toxins that cause inflammation
  • A deficiency of Vitamin D, to dampen the immune response
  • Problems detoxing metals such as aluminum, mercury, or other toxins.
  • Poor energy production inside the cells (in the mitochondria) that cause fatigue
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction causes more inflamation
  • A lack of thyroid hormones, or poor hormone signaling
  • Food intolerances, poor diet.

We don’t believe that treating symptoms should be done, without also addressing underlying causes. You want to feel better. We can help.

Sources: 
The American College of Rheumatology Preliminary Diagnostic Criteria for Fibromyalgia and Measurement of Symptom Severity https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/acr.20140

Neuroinflammation in fibromyalgia and CRPS is multifactorial https://www.nature.com/articles/nrrheum.2016.25

10 Root Causes of Fibromyalgia (#3 is Thyroid) https://hypothyroidmom.com/10-root-causes-of-fibromyalgia-3-is-thyroid/



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