| The majority of fibromyalgia (FM) sufferers are | | | | female FM patients between 29 and 31 years of |
| women, and as such it is unfortunate that there is | | | | age, in their third trimester. The questionnaire |
| such a lack of information on fibromyalgia | | | | asked about depression, fatigue, levels of pain and |
| symptoms during pregnancy. Investigations on the | | | | daily functioning, and the patients involved |
| relationship between pregnancy and FM | | | | reported increased stiffness, pain and tiredness |
| symptoms are limited, and so the body of | | | | levels since becoming pregnant. The conclusion |
| knowledge on the topic is shallow. For women | | | | was that FM sufferers had more difficulty in |
| considering pregnancy, here is some of the | | | | pregnancy than non-sufferers, and fibromyalgia |
| common knowledge that is available. | | | | symptoms during pregnancy seemed to flare-up |
| Studies have shown that more women are | | | | more than in non-pregnant sufferers. |
| diagnosed with FM when they are pregnant, than | | | | Some of the usual treatments for FM are not |
| not pregnant. This suggests that women | | | | recommended during pregnancy. Since no |
| predisposed to develop FM, are more likely to | | | | medications have been found to be completely |
| develop fibromyalgia symptoms during pregnancy. | | | | safe for a pregnant woman, FM patients planning |
| On the other hand, some doctors say that | | | | a pregnancy must be weaned off any |
| hormonal changes cause certain symptoms of FM | | | | anti-depressants, pain meds or herbal remedies |
| to discontinue during pregnancy. | | | | prior to becoming pregnant. Its best to plan your |
| A new study by Karen M. Schaefer an assistant | | | | pregnancy a year or more in advance to give |
| professor of nursing at Temple University found | | | | yourself time to wean off any medications. This |
| that women with FM had aggravated fibromyalgia | | | | will ensure that do drugs affect your baby's |
| symptoms during pregnancy. Her study was | | | | development, especially in the critical first 4 to 6 |
| based on a questionnaire that was mailed to | | | | weeks. |