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   Researchers have found that Fibromyalgia patients have significantly less blood flow to the parts of their brains that deal with pain. They also have twice the level of a brain chemical called "Substance P", which helps the nervous system cells communicate with each other about painful stimuli. Elevated P levels may actually produce the higher levels of pain throughout the body.
    Years ago it was easy for doctors to attribute the pain to psychological disorders. Many doctors thought that Fibromyalgia was a mental health problem, with no psysical cause. That perception is beginning to change now that scientists can show directly differeebt brain function that is not evident in patients with depression.
   Until 5 years ago, fibromyalgia groups were virtually disreguarded when they tried to spread the word about the syndrome. Now that the cause of fibromyalgia seems clearer, research teams are searching for better ways to treat the symptoms.
    One team is investigating wheather anti-depressant drugs increase cerebrel blood flow. Another is looking at injecting toxins into precise places in the spine to block debilitating pain without causing the numbing side effects of narcotic drugs.
The brain of a normal person and one who has fibromyalgia.
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Fibro Fog
Fibro Fog is caused by neurotransmitter disruption. In other words, the signal to our brain gets sidetracked.
You know you have Fibro Fog when......

You send your nephew a birthday card (with a check inside) and two weeks later you send him another one.

You are putting up the towels and open the refridgerator door, then you realize that's not where they go.

You walk into a room and have no idea what your'e in there for.

You keep forgetting to put your car in park before turning it off, then after shopping you spend ten minutes trying to find it.

You try to change the television channel with the phone and can't understand why it won't work.

You put grease on the stove and forget about it. (I caught my kitchen on fire doing this)

You start adding water to your swimming pool that morning and your husband comes home from work that afternoon to find the backyard flooded.

You forget to put the filter in the coffe pot, therefore when it's finished perking you have hot water to drink.

You have a garage sale the lady owes you eight dollars and fifty cents. She  hands you a ten and you can't remember how much change to give her.

You use your secret to spray your hair (I think that's pretty good at least I didn't use my hair spray under my arms)...yet

You start putting the dishes up in the dishwaster and halfway through it you realize I didn't turn the dishwaser on. These dishes are dirty!!

Your husband is getting something out of your purse and finds a payroll check from the previous month you forgot to deposit. (Needless to say we have direct deposit now)

You and your husband are going out to eat. When you arrive at the restaurant your feet feel funny, you look down and discover you have on two different shoes.

Without the ability to laugh at yourself, these moments just become more embarrassing episodes on top of all the painful experiences. You have to laugh to stay sane......