Other Chronic Pains
Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread muscle pain, stiffness, numbness, poor
sleep, and fatigability along with multiple tender points that are widely distributed on
both sides of the body. 90% of Fibromyalgia sufferers have frequent headaches and
75% have joint aches.*We have experience with numerous fibromyalgia sufferers, the
vast majority of whom report that headaches and face pain are gone when we discharge
them from treatment Associated Psychiatric illness page.
Many people who suffer from pain become anxious and in time feel depressed. Some
tell us they think that this is because they consulted so many doctors who told them
that there was nothing wrong regardless of persistent pain. In time, these patients feel
that there will be no end to their suffering and the limitations and loss of joy in their lives
which results.
However, in many other cases, patients become depressed because the pain lasts for
months or years, or even for decades, resulting in their conditions becoming chronic.
Unfortunately, depression is a common characteristic of chronic pain which can develop
as early as three to six months after pain begins.
In our experience, the good news is that once the headaches and other symptoms
improve, even partially, depression which developed after pain onset typically disappears.
Some patients have even said that reading this website, seeing that they are not alone,
and that there are answers to their problems, gave them a new lease on life.
We do not treat depression or anxiety. However, if these conditions develop after the
onset of pain, elimination of feelings of depression and anxiety is a very welcome side-
benefit.
Those are the facts, and if anyone on the internet or elsewhere tells you scary stories,
know in your heart that they are well-meaning and deserving of the utmost compassion
and understanding,but do not let them scare you into thinking that treatment of your
condition will lead to the horror that they or their loved ones have endured.
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