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Brain Scans Detect Fibromyalgia
Written by linda on March 17, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Brain Scans Detect FibromyalgiaBrain scans detect fibromyalgia! Yes!! Finally a physical finding to say that fibromyalgia is a disease that’s not psychosomatic.
The Dr. Oz show that was aired on 3/12/12 showed a picture of a brain scan of someone with fibromyalgia. That scan showed an area down the center of the brain and across the top of the frontal cortex in a bright blue. It was explained that this area of the brain had a very low blood supply. It was also explained that this was the area of the brain that was directly connected to pain processing and emotional responses to pain. No wonder the brain doesn’t know when to shut off its pain sensors, it’s not nourished. The scan that detects these changes in brain function is called a photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scan. It’s nice to know that brain scans detect fibromyalgia.
On November 3rd a study was release from Marsielle, France. This study included thirty women, twenty had fibromyalgia and ten were normal. A 100 question fibromyalgia test was given to these women. This test also showed differences in brain function between the women with fibromyalgia and those without. This study was conducted by Dr. Guedj and his colleagues. The twenty women with fibromyalgia were diagnosed according to tests that the American College of Rheumatology uses.
An increased score on this test indicated that low blood flow occurs in the left anterior temporal cluster. This area of the brain sets at about the area of the ear on the left side. This hypoperfusion (low blood flow) showed up the most in the polar and mediobasal cortices.
According to Dr Guedj the results of this test indicated that fibromyalgia is a disorder of the central part of the brain where pain sensations are heightened.
The results of these findings might explain why doctors can’t find and physical reasons for fibromyalgia.
Other tests were given to these women besides the 100 questions. They were given tests that rates pain on a scale, a French version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the Questionnaire Doleur de Saint-Antoine scale, and the Tubingen Pain Behavior Scale.
The only results that were compared to the SPECT scans were the results from the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire.
“The relationship between somatosensory hyperperfusion and fibromyalgia clinical severity is reported for, to our knowledge, the first time and reinforces the central sensitization hypothesis,” they wrote.
Low blood flow to the left anterior temporal region, which is part of the limbic system, could lead to an explanation regarding another aspect of fibromyalgia – Brain fog.
There was another study from the University of Michigan Health Services. This study shows that persons with fibromyalgia suffer more pain from a gentle pinch that persons who don’t have it. In fact, the pressure from the pinch has to be twice as much for the persons who don’t have fibromyalgia to feel as much as those who do. The sense of pain shows up in different areas of the brain than the individuals with fibromyalgia.
This study also included fMRI’s that were performed on sixteen patients with fibromyalgia. fMRI is an extremely fast form of MRI. It is reported that the results of these tests give a road map of where the pain is felt in the brain.
Simply put, low blood flow to the central and left temporal portions of the brain could very well be a leading cause for the pain and confusion that we fibromyalgia patients suffer with. Thank goodness it’s not “in our heads” like some physicians still think it is. Then again, it looks like maybe it really IS in our heads. It’s nice to know brain scans detect fibromyalgia.
Please click on the enclosed links for the full reports mentioned in this article.
nope. I just checked the calendar. it's not April 1st lol.
wow, some progress at last, eh? am wondering how we come to have such terrible heads/migraines if there's so little blood flow to that part of the brain.
I suspect we'd have more chance of convincing people of a visitation by aliens than convincing people that Fibro is real and has an organic cause!
I belong to a fibro group on facebook and somebody added the link, i nearly cried when i saw it, will definitely be showing it to my Dr, as he thinks this illness doesn't exist!!
I think this is great news, but what links? Do I need to google like ChristineEls or did I miss something? I would like confirmation that I have FM as even though my doctor says I do, many have said I don't and I feel in limbo sometimes. Usually in my depression/anxiety week which I am in at the moment. Maybe if I show this to my doctor and enough of us do it will get back to the people who have power that maybe we should have it too!?
i would have thought that if it was to do with blood flow, then thining the blood would have a positive effect. I have been on asprin for nearly 2 years and it has not improved for me. obviously it wont be as simple as this and it is a very interesting article. if they know the cause, then may be there is hope for us to get some better treatment - perhaps even a cure one day.
well done for finding this article, thank you. xxx
i dont feel 100% today - although not foggy inside just pain
FREAKING BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY a scientific reasoning for all the crap we're going through!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Now THIS is very interesting, before being diagnosed arouns 12 years ago, I had 2 brain scans over a period of time, and on the 2nd one I was told that although the scan appeared to be normal 'apart from a small area which looked unusual' but he said he didn't think it was anything to worry about, unless I had any neurological symptoms again.
(The onset of my 4 years diagnosis trip started with having some kind of blackout/fit) It would be interesting to get another one done to see if that is what the doc saw back then?
Frustrated again that when I clicked submit comment it just vanished into the ether !
I nearly cried when I read it. Although I am a retired pharmacist my fog and lack of ability to concentrate leave me unable to comprehend the why's and wherefore's but I shall save the links for my G.P.
Hi Pharm - I am a retired community nurse, but when it comes to dealing with this stuff, it just doesn't matter a jot. It's possible that the reason for my fybro is due to being pensioned off after 25 years service with 2 slipped discs in my lower back.but who knows where it comes from?
can we all get one and then when people say what rond with you you look fine we can say look at this this is why this is what is rong we have an illness and it is reale .not just make belive .
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Doctor doesn't believe in Fibromyalgia!
would you believe it!
DONT BELIEVE IT SOMEONE GOT IT IN FOR ME !!!!!
GP listened but doesn't believe in fibro
Gp just doesn’t believe me 
