The Muscle Pressure and Pain Connection

[fleavitt11]

The pain of fibromyalgia has been misunderstood and maligned because the source of pain has never been identifiable. A recent article entitled ““Intramuscular Pressure in the Trapezius is Almost Three Times Higher in Fibromyalgia: A Possible Mechanism for Understanding the Muscle Pain and Tenderness” identifies a measurable source of pain and champions the notion that fibromyalgia is a muscle pressure disorder. To learn more about the muscle pressure and pain connection in fibromyalgia see: sites.google.com/view/fmsbi...

[CM1EDSUK]

Thank you fleavitt11 for picking up on this link, which can also be viewed here: jrheum.org/content/early/20...

Some nearly 20 years ago, I was looking at fibro because there were many similarities with it & Chiari 1 Malformation (CM1).....in fact many with CM1 were found to have previously been mis-diagnosed with fibro, & I thought our family likely had CM1 & Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (which proved to be the case). With the hypermobile type of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome a diagnosis is made on the Drs. clinical assessment....no blood tests or biomarkers unfortunately, mainly on assessing if you have a certain degree of hypermobility.

I also found (& still find) that some USA-based Drs. were somewhat ahead of ours. I mean no disrespect to our UK Drs on whom my Ehlers-Danlos Support group rely, that's just my personal experience.

Some 20 years ago, I found that often fibro was a 'waste basket diagnosis.' Whilst this shouldn't be the case now, often patients sadly see a specialist who doesn't feel a need to keep up to date.

The link by fleavitt11 is important, & well worth reading, altho the link to this paper isn't freely available yet, it probably will be to any of your Drs. It does possibly challenge fibro as a central nervous system problem, but, at the moment, I would think that something like this which might give a definite indication/diagnosis of fibro should be welcomed.

[Hidden]

Thank you so much for giving us this link. Xx

[Hidden]

Thank you so much for giving us this information and link xxxx❤️💜❤️💜

[trip77]

A really good read and an interesting theory. I have read quite a few of these books that offer different reasons for FM, I'm beginning to think that maybe they ALL offer a part of or include each and every theory?

[Cat00]

Thank you for the article.

This theory would definitely fit with me, I've had trapezius muscle problems all my life. I've had chronic migraines for over 20 years and so this area is almost constantly in pain. A couple of years ago I was finally given an MRI by the pain clinic that looked at this area. They said I had severe muscle spasm all down one side, which they said had shortened the muscles. My kung fu teacher said I have very tight latissimus dorsi muscles as well which is beside the trapezius. I'm hypermobile in most other places and share a lot of symptoms of Elhers-Danos syndrome as CM1EDSUK mentioned. I'm bound to have increased pressure in this area.

You wonder if British doctors would ever bother considering this seriously, my experience is not good thus far!

[JayCeon]

Like trip77 I'm guessing that it'll take more than one theory to cater for all of our symptoms plus all of us, plus co-morbidities, overlaps etc. The muscle pressure theory would seem to fit well to my recurring thigh-pain. However neurologists didn't find anything wrong with my muscles or nerves.

Central nervous system/pain-magnifying doesn't fit for me at all.

Something autoimmune behind it is begging the issue, altho it feels fitting to my feverishness.

And ATP/mitochondrial/cell energy would account for energy and spoons, but not for pain.

I did the vitamin/mineral-regime of a doc here with that theory - no help.

Most importantly I think all theories are finding effects and jumping to the conclusion that these are some sort of cause.

[Lovecavatese]

Hi, I can only talk about my own situation. I have multiple disc degeneration, have spurs on almost all of my cervical spine Vertebrae, so yes there is an obvious swollen area in my traps, but a flu started off my fibro, the spinal issues I have must have contributed, and so too did the flu, my pain is both muscular and nervous. I did have a sudden onset of my fibro, I've had migraines all my life but they now cause pain in my face. Thanks for the link, always interesting to hear theories, I've been running on high stress levels all my life with an abusive dad and ex partner so I support the cranked up CNS theory myself.