kalikshama
Posts: 14805
Joined: 8/8/2010 Status: offline
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I have a similar condition, in which my body overreacts to chemicals that don't bother most people like perfumes, scented laundry detergent, and many petroleum-based products. A SPECT brain scan showed hyper-perfusion in 4 areas of my brain in response to chemicals. This happened after I worked for two years in a building that turned out to have toxic mold. There's a lot of overlap - if any of you fibro people want to discuss chemicals, I'm here! http://www.mcsrr.org/factsheets/overlaping.html FMS is defined by chronic muscle and joint pain on both sides of the body, pain above and below the waist, and pain anywhere along the spine. It is usually associated with disrupted sleep, chronic fatigue, cognitive problems, and many other variable symptoms. According to the American College of Rheumatology, FMS affects about 3% of the adult U.S. population and, like CFS and MCS, is much more common in women. The diagnosis is confirmed with a brief physical exam that involves the testing of 18 pressure (or tender) points. As with CFS and MCS, the onset of FMS may be gradual or sudden. Sudden onset is usually associated with physical injury or trauma, such as a car accident or difficult childbirth, although FMS also may be initiated by infections or chemical and drug exposures. Treatments focus on relieving pain, avoiding stress, improving sleep and correcting hormonal imbalances. Outcomes vary and no cure-all is known. CFS, FMS and MCS occur together in approximately 1/3 to 2/3 of all cases, according to the first study of this overlap done in 1994. The MCS overlap was perfectly symmetrical, with up to 67% of both CFS and FMS patients reporting a worsening of symptoms following exposure to air pollution, cigarette smoke, solvent fumes or perfumes. The FMS overlap also appears symmetrical, with 67% of both MCS and CFS patients reporting muscle weakness and 63% to 77% complaining of muscle and joint pain. And despite using an older (1988) and narrower definition of CFS, the study found CFS in 70% of FMS and 30% of MCS patients. Using the broader 1994 criteria for CFS, the overlap is much greater: a study of 100 new MCS patients found 88% also had CFS, 49% had FMS and 47% had all three! These extensive overlaps highlight the need to screen patients for all three disorders whenever any one is suspected. It is very important that anyone suspected of having any one of these overlapping syndromes be screened for all of the others as well as for other possible underlying complications and causes of their symptoms such as inherited mast cell or porphyrin disorders. Failure to do a thorough differential diagnosis may have serious consequences, as health care providers may overlook potentially treatable conditions that present with similar symptoms or recommend inappropriate treatments. Since drug sensitivities are common in all these disorders, for example, physicians who prescribe medications for CFS/FMS/MCS patients are advised to start at way below the normal dose and increase slowly only if it is well tolerated. Thorough documentation of all signs, symptoms and diagnoses also is critical for patients seeking workplace accommodation or workers' compensation, Social Security and other disability benefits, or insurance coverage. For additional information on the diagnosis and treatment of these overlapping disorders and referral services, please contact the following national organizations:
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