| Fibromyalgia means that a previously healthy | | | | of antibiotics does not cure them, but if the |
| person develops unexplained exhaustion, fatigue | | | | doctor suspects a reactive arthritis it is reasonable |
| and muscle aches and pains that last for more | | | | to give a trial with antibiotics for a longer term. |
| than six months, all blood tests are normal and | | | | Reactive arthritis patients who may be be cured |
| doctors can't find a cause. One report shows that | | | | with long-term antibiotics are: |
| a large number of people who were diagnosed as | | | | * Those who have positive blood tests for |
| having fibromyalgia really had polymyalgia | | | | arthritis which are really measures of an |
| rheumatica that does have an abnormal blood | | | | overactive immunity that is trying to kill a germ, |
| test. | | | | * those who suffer from a chronic infection |
| Another study shows that many sufferers have | | | | characterized by burning on urination, urgency or |
| low spinal fluid levels of vitamin B12 and may be | | | | having to get up many times during the night |
| treated with 1000 mcg B12 pills each day. | | | | * those who have chronic diarrhea, |
| The diagnosis of fibromyalgia should be made only | | | | * those who have belching and burning in the |
| after all other causes have been ruled out. Many | | | | stomach, |
| infections can cause fatigue and muscle pain, such | | | | * those who have a chronic cough or sinus |
| as parvovirus B19, which was reported to be | | | | infections, |
| cured with intravenous injections of | | | | * those who have swelling in the middle of the |
| immunoglobulin. The evaluation should include tests | | | | hand which is characteristic of Rheumatoid |
| for infectious diseases; such as Lyme disease and | | | | arthritis. |
| hepatitis B or C, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis | | | | However, people who have reactive arthritis must |
| or the helicobacter that causes stomach ulcers; | | | | be treated for longer than three months, often |
| autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid | | | | for more than a year. |
| arthritis, lupus, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis; | | | | An article from the University of Washington, |
| hidden cancers such as those of the breast or | | | | Seattle demonstrates that fibromyalgia, chronic |
| prostate; hormonal diseases such as low thyroid; | | | | fatigue syndrome, temporomandibular joint |
| or side effects from a medication or illicit drug. | | | | syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial |
| About twenty percent of the patients are | | | | cystitis and chronic headaches share the same |
| depressed, and most people miss work and | | | | symptoms, occur in the same people and doctors |
| complain of illness long before their diagnosis. A | | | | can't find a cause or treatment. I have prescribed |
| diagnosis of chronic fatigue means that tiredness | | | | doxycycline 100 mg twice a day for several |
| is the major complaint. Fibromyalgia usually means | | | | months, and sometimes azithromycin 500 mg |
| that muscle and joint pains are the major | | | | twice a week, and some get better. However, |
| symptoms. Many studies show that there is no | | | | this treatment is controversial and is not accepted |
| dependable way to define chronic fatigue | | | | by many doctors. Please check with your doctor. |
| syndrome or fibromyalgia, and that three months | | | | |