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Fibromyalgia/Questions Answered by Expert Joyce A. McKenzie
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Help with my medications | 12/24/2010 |
| Q: My name is Susan. I have been unemployed for several months. I have Lupus. I am on several ... A: ..you can start researching here: www.needymeds.com ...I do know that you have to have your doctor ... | |
| spasams through the night fibromalgia sufferer | 5/4/2010 |
| Q: hi i was diagnosed with fibromalgia last week after 26yrs of trying to get to the bottom of my ... A: ..I'm not a medical professional but when I was having my initial problems with sleep (I've had ... | |
| progressive fibromyalgia | 1/23/2010 |
| Q: I have had fibromyalgia for 2 years now. I would like more clarification on its getting worse as ... A: ..first, I'm not a medical professional, and also do not keep ongoing statistics on the prevalence ... | |
| Fibromyalgia symptoms | 11/15/2009 |
| Q: I'm Joyce too! It just not a real common name. Its not like Lisa where half of everyone on your ... A: (nice name :) ...if your daughter has already been dxed with fibro, she has had the Tender Points ... | |
| Fibro and other things | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: It's wonderful what you do here, I'm so proud of you! I'm an expert in another area, and also a ... A: ..I'm sorry you're having so many problems. I really don't know about the 30% of fibro patients ... | |
| Does fibromyalgia affect all ages? | 6/30/2009 |
| Q: my name is Amber and I am 21 years old. For the past 6 months or so I have been feeling very tired ... A: Yes, you are 'young enough' for fibro...they are even seeing fibromyalgia in children 10 years old ... | |
| Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: I am from Houston Texas but living in Perth on a work assignment for the next 3 years. I was in a ... A: First, I'm so sorry you're in so much pain. I know what it's like to literally have a headache every ... | |
| Lower Back Pain | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: I am a 22 yr old female with mild scoliosis and has had back pain since I was 13. In the past year ... A: First, I'm sorry you're having so much pain! I was just going to type 'take a deep breath', but I ... | |
| fibromyalgia | 6/1/2009 |
| Q: what kind of Dr. treats Fibromygalgia ? A: ..usually fibromyalgia comes under the specialty of 'rheumatology' but that does not mean other ... | |
| fibromyalgia | 5/22/2009 |
| Q: first of all i have endometriosis but recently i have been experiencing severe pains in my ... A: ..well you need a diagnosis first. Don't wait for your doctor to mention fibro, find a doctor who ... | |
| fibro and finding a doctor | 5/20/2009 |
| Q: just wondering where do i go to find a doctor who specializes in fibromyalgia I have a family doctor ... A: ..usually the specialty connected with fibromylagia is Rheumatology...but any physician who is ... | |
| fibromylgia pain | 5/7/2009 |
| Q: I have had fibro. for many years seems like it's getting worse,the worse pain is in back and legs,I ... A: ..I think as we go along on our journey with fibro, we tend to lump every pain or odd feeling into ... | |
| please answer my Question/tell me what I mahy have with these symptoms from two injurys??? thanks | 3/30/2009 |
| Q: I have 90%-95% of Fibromyalgia. I have been going through this since my accidents (2 accidents ... A: ..I'm not a medical professional, so I couldn't begin to try to diagnose you online (nor should any ... | |
| fibro | 3/5/2009 |
| Q: I am just now starting to put together all the pieces to this ailing problem. I have an appt with ... A: ..I'm not a physician, but I can give you a few ideas. It MAY be fibro...and maybe not. The only ... | |
| fibro and ms | 1/8/2009 |
| Q: I have not yet been diagnosed with either i am a Nurse and have been in denial but it has taken its ... A: Ultimately you probably will get your dx from a rheumatologist, BUT...as in my case, they had to ... | |
| fibro and ms | 1/8/2009 |
| Q: I have not yet been diagnosed with either i am a Nurse and have been in denial but it has taken its ... A: First off, Theresa, you sound just like me before I finally got my diagnosis in 1993 (it took 8 ... | |
| Fibromyalgia | 12/29/2008 |
| Q: I have "episodes" off and on in the mornings, that begin with either pain in my legs or my abdominal ... A: ..these are not 'typical' fibromyalgia pain areas, per se. But it is being found more and more that ... | |
| ms | 12/15/2008 |
| Q: been diagnosed with fibromyalgia but have the symptoms of ms which i was told that 17 years ago they ... A: ..usually the specialty that takes care of fibromyalgia patients is Rheumatology...although any ... | |
| Fibormyalgia Symptoms | 11/2/2008 |
| Q: Joyce. I am also a Joyce. I don't see to many Joyce's so I like it when I do. Ok, here's my problem. ... A: Nice to see another Joyce also :) Regarding your daughter's sensitivity to noise, yes, that can be ... | |
| fibromyalgia | 9/27/2008 |
| Q: Are other people with fibromyalgia loosing their hair and do you know why??? Are other people with ... A: ..not aware that fibromyalgia specifically causes hair loss, but I know that stress does...and ... | |
| Fibromyalgia | 6/19/2008 |
| Q: My Sister has a number of health problems.......fibromyalgia, diabetes, lupus. She is constantly in ... A: ..if you feel your sister is not getting the right kind of treatment, best to contact your nearest ... | |
| advice? | 1/3/2008 |
| Q: I am a certified fitness trainer in Scranton, PA and was recently approached by a 50 year old woman ... A: ..most of your questions are out of my area of expertise, but I will say swimming in a WARM pool ... | |
| Symptoms? | 1/2/2008 |
| Q: I hadn't heard about fibromyalgia until this last year. I've no idea if I have it. I do know I ... A: ..you would need to be evaluated by a rheumatologist or other skilled phyician...ask them to do the ... | |
| FM Typical Responses | 10/25/2007 |
| Q: I have been diagnosed with Sjogrens Disease and FM by one Dr. or another but I am finding that ... A: Yes, Kim, this is a common problem, although these days getting less common as fibro is becoming ... | |
| Have you heard this one as a symptom? | 10/18/2007 |
| Q: First I would like to thank you in advance and to tell you I understand you can not diagnose me ... A: Getting shock-like feelings in any part of the body COULD be a symptom of fibromyalgia. But what ... | |
| Do you have this? | 10/8/2007 |
| Q: I am in the process of finally getting an actual DX of Fibro, right now I get, "It is very ... A: ..a common symptom with Fibromyalgia is something called 'paresthesias' which can be odd, crawly, ... | |
| Diagnosed with CFS and Fibro | 8/14/2007 |
| Q: After four years of trying to get answers for my laundry list of symptoms, a rheumatologist ... A: ..I don't know much about CFS, but there is a test for fibro called the Tender Points test (see my ... | |
| 22 y.o daughter has fibro | 6/10/2007 |
| Q: my daughter is on morphine for the pain. she has been on every medication, vitamin and nothing ... A: Perhaps PT is not the right thing for your daughter. Gentle stretching and really gentle exercise ... | |
| fm relaspe | 6/7/2007 |
| Q: In 1994 I was diagnosed with a strep blood infection, valley fever, and then fibromyalgia. FM ... A: ..first, I'm so happy to hear of you passing your 5-year mark for being cancer-free! That is ... | |
| finding a doctor for fibro | 4/3/2007 |
| Q: i was told 3 years ago that i have firbo. my doctor at the time did not know anything about fibro or ... A: ..most docs that treat fibro are rheumatologists...but not all are. Best to get a referral from ... | |
| fibromyalgia and bipolar | 2/22/2007 |
| Q: I am bipolar with symptoms of psychosis which don't seem to coincide with my mania or my depression. ... A: ..yes, you do sound like you've done your research: you sound very knowlegeable about your ... | |
| fibromyalgia | 2/20/2007 |
| Q: Can fibromyalgia affect my foot? A: There are no standard Tender Points in the foot. But fatigue and pain throughout the body may be ... | |
| FMS & MS | 1/7/2007 |
| Q: A friend with MS & FM told me that her Dr. told her a large percentage of people with MS will ... A: Hmmm...this is a tough one, although I haven't seen any statistics regarding MS and FMS. I was ... | |
| Chest pain and discomfort | 12/21/2006 |
| Q: I was wondering if Fibromyalgia can cause lots of chest muscle pain, although I get pains in my ... A: ..first, I'm sorry I'm so late in answering! I was away for the holiday and forgot to sign out of ... | |
| Fibromyalgia and mental illness | 11/18/2006 |
| Q: I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 9 years ago. My main symptoms were headaches, back, neck, ... A: First of all, I'm not a medical professional, so I can't recommend any prescription medications. I ... | |
| Fibromyalsia | 11/8/2006 |
| Q: Do you know if I can find diagrams of Fibro trigger points anywhere on the internet? I'm putting ... A: ..firstly, it's Fibromyalgia. Then, they're called 'tender points', not trigger points. Trigger ... | |
| Could chemicals cause fibromyalgia or could it make it worse? | 8/7/2006 |
| Q: I have been exposed to a Photo Lab's chemicals for almost 2 years. This is around the time I started ... A: ..since there is no known cause(s) (yet) for fibromyalgia, even a doctor could not answer your ... | |
| Could chemicals cause fibromyalgia or could it make it worse? | 8/5/2006 |
| Q: I have been exposed to a Photo Lab's chemicals for almost 2 years. This is around the time I started ... A: photo lab chemicals may or may not be the culprit. There is no known cause and no known cure for ... | |
| Fibromyalgia?? | 6/21/2006 |
| Q: I have a question I was hoping you could possibly answer for me. I am a 31 year old female. In June ... A: ..numbness and tingling is ONE of the many symptoms that go along with fibromyalgia (one of ... | |
| climate | 5/13/2006 |
| Q: What research is there on fibromyalgia symptoms improving by relocating to a warmer, drier climate ... A: Go to www.google.com and put "fibromyalgia dry climate" in the SEARCH box, and you'll come up with ... | |
| drugs to use | 5/10/2006 |
| Q: i have found i have fibro and have been given epilim to treat.let me know if ok. A: I'm sorry but I've never heard of epilim. Also, I wouldn't be able to comment on it even if I had ... | |
| Fustrated needing a glimmer of hope | 10/7/2005 |
| Q: Breif medical history: 27 year old mother of 2 daughters. Started to get migraines during 2nd ... A: ..I certainly realize your frustration in trying to get a proper diagnosis. It took me eight months ... | |
| fibro/cmp | 9/25/2005 |
| Q: is widespread EXTREME like off the charts nerve pain really a symptom of fibro? i have been ... A: ..NERVE pain? No. Fibromyalgia involves the connective tissues and that's where the pain is. ... | |
| Fibromyalgia | 8/24/2005 |
| Q: Is fibromyalgia progessive. I have been told by a Rheumatologist that a car crash, which happened ... A: Good Morning, Janet! Well, the jury is still out on whether fibromyalgia is progressive or not. ... | |
| FINDING A DOCTOR | 6/24/2005 |
| Q: I was diagnosed with fibrom by a rheumatologist. She has told me I should be able to continue a ... A: ..no, you most likely cannot "continue a normal life" without treatment. Usually a rheumatologist ... | |
| fibromyalgia | 6/13/2005 |
| Q: I'm an average woman...average height, average weight, average physical benefits of being over 60 ... A: ..you certainly have tried many modalities to decrease your pain, which is the ONLY way we find what ... | |
| symptoms | 5/28/2005 |
| Q: What are the symptons of fibromyalgia? I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia years ago and did nothing ... A: ..it's actually pain in the connective tissues, although it might feel like it's in the muscles ... | |
| Muscle twitches | 4/29/2005 |
| Q: I dont believe I have fibromyalgia, but I do have muscle twitching in my foot. I know this is ... A: The twiching feelings (with fibro) are known as fasciculations. BUT, there could be other reasons ... | |
| Fibro symptoms? | 4/23/2005 |
| Q: Do you know if coldness and tingling in the hands and forearms are symptoms of FM? Also if muscle ... A: Tingling in the hands and forearms COULD be a symptom of FMS, as could muscle twitches ... | |
| Fibromyalgia | 4/14/2005 |
| Q: What kind of doctor treats fibromyalgia? A: USUALLY it's a rheumatologist, but not necessarily so. ANY skilled physician or physiatrist can ... | |
| Fobromyalgia | 4/2/2005 |
| Q: Joyce, After 10yrs i have now been told my symptoms are probably due to FMS.I have not been informed ... A: I have a friend who helps people find "fibro-literate" doctors. Please visit this page at my fibro ... | |
| Can you recommend a doctor | 3/30/2005 |
| Q: Can you recommend a type of doctor and possibly a doctor to treat fibro in Nova Scotia, Canada A: I have a friend who helps people find "fibro-literate" doctors. Please visit this page at my ... | |
| kind of doctor | 3/23/2005 |
| Q: What is the best kind of doctor to go to for the diagnosis and/or treatment of Fibromyalgia? Over ... A: My primary care doctor treats my fibro, but ten years ago when I was living in a different state, a ... | |
| why are people trapped into taking medications | 2/21/2005 |
| Q: My point I'm trying to get across is why doctors are not educated in school about alternatives other ... A: This is NOT the forum for this type of thing. I do not "check out" products for people. I'm not a ... | |
| FMS CURE IN THE 2005 PHYSICIANS DESK REFERENCE | 2/21/2005 |
| Q: THERE IS A CURE ,I HAVE SEEN IT FIRST HAND, JUST GO TO www.MyVemma.com/YourHealth it's all natural. ... A: This is a duplicate NON-question. This is not a place to advertise and in my opinion you are a very ... | |
| FIBROMYALGIA | 10/25/2004 |
| Q: I'm 18, a freshman in college and was diagnosed with fibro this summer. My doctor sent me to a ... A: ..please consult my fibro website here: www.plaidrabbit.com There are lots of tips and tricks on ... | |
| Where can I find a doctor to treat my fibromyalgia? | 9/24/2004 |
| Q: Where can I find a doctor to treat my fibromyalgia? A: ..please visit my fibromyalgia website, and on this page about half-way down there's a graphic about ... | |
| What type of doctor? | 9/13/2004 |
| Q: My husband is seeking a fibromyalgia doctor and we started looking under pain management doctors ... A: Usually, people with fibro are referred to a rheumatologist first. Even though fibro is not a form ... | |
| Fibromyalgia | 9/11/2004 |
| Q: I have Fibro and am looking for alternative treatments. My regular doc told me to take Motrin and ... A: The one thing that's always been a constant for me at least, in helping my FMS is exercise. This is ... | |
| aches | 8/30/2004 |
| Q: My ankles,knees,legs,arms ache all the time. The worst time is when I am sitting or lying down . It ... A: The only way to find out if you have fibromyalgia or not is to get a Tender Points test done by a ... | |
| fibro doctor | 8/25/2004 |
| Q: I am having a hard time finding a doctor in my area who treats fibro. Most doctors poo-poo it (it's ... A: As you may (or may not know) I have a fibro website here http://www.plaidrabbit.com On this page, ... | |
| What is a fibro flare how long can it last? | 7/31/2004 |
| Q: Is fever a common thing? what is a fibro flare? A: No, fever is not a common thing with FMS, but it is with chronic fatigue syndrome, a 1st cousin of ... | |
| help | 7/5/2004 |
| Q: WHERE CAN I FINE A DR.FOR FIBROMYAGIA A: ..I have an FMS website and one of the pages has a info on it on how you can contact an associate of ... | |
| Fibromyalgia and Positive ANA | 6/30/2004 |
| Q: I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, put my rheumatologist thinks there is still something else ... A: No, a positive ANA and fibromyalgia do not go together... necessarily. Not in my case, but things ... | |
| Fibro or not? | 2/10/2004 |
| Q: I don't know if I have fibro. I have pain in my muscles all around the shoulder and upper back and ... A: Usually, not always, you would start with a rheumatologist...as long as they know how to diagnose ... | |
| symptom | 2/4/2004 |
| Q: my body seems to give off a feeling of cold. i cannot seem to get warm when this happens. is this a ... A: Many people with fibro complain of being cold all the time, but it also could be a symptom of many ... | |
Fibromyalgia
Answers by Expert:
Joyce A. McKenzie
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Where can I find a doctor to treat my fibromyalgia?
What kind of doctor treats fibromyalgia?
What kinds of non-medical things can I do to help my fibromyalgia?
Is (fill in blank) a symptom of fibromyalgia?
Where can I find a support group for fibromyalgia?
Where can I find a listing of the Tender Points of fibromyalgia?
The doctor just told me I have fibromyalgia. What are some things I should do first?
What is a good book to read about fibromyalgia?
Experience
Past/Present clients
Hundreds of fibromyalgia patients worldwide who have written emails to me since 1996 after they've seen my fibro website. I've been a fibromyalgia SURVIVOR myself since 1993.
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