Fibromyalgia

According to the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association (NFMCPA), fibromyalgiaaffects roughly 10 to 20 million Americans each year and is more prevalent in women. It is a common and complex chronic pain characterized by widespread pain and sensitivity throughout the body. Sound vague? It is.

The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread body pain, fatigue, poor sleep and mood problems. However, anxiety, concentration/memory, depression, headaches, and sleep problems are also common. With such diverse symptomology commonplace in other conditions, medical providers are often challenged in diagnosing fibromyalgia.

Consequently, people who may suffer from fibromyalgia too often leave their medical provider’s office without answers to their ailments and are left feeling that their provider has alluded that it’s all in their head.

This is where Visiting Angles in Aspen and Visiting Angels in Vail provides great value.  Visiting Angels attends medical appointments with our clients and helps make the appointment more productive and efficient.

 Diagnosing fibromyalgia

The NFMCPA estimates that, on average, it can often take up to five years for a person with fibromyalgia to receive an accurate diagnosis. In a time where enormous advancements have occurred in medical technology, people tend to think that there is a cure or a fix for every medical problem. Thus, it may be difficult to understand why there are no clear-cut certainties in diagnosing fibromyalgia.

Diagnosis is complicated by the fact that it cannot be detected through X-rays, scans, or common blood work. Further, as mentioned above, it’s symptomology is diverse, ailments wax and wane over time, and it affects people physically, mentally and socially differently.

If you or a family member could use assistance with medical appointments, transportation, or help with daily tasks, Visiting Angles in Aspen and Visiting Angels in Vail is here to provide help.