John Hopkins didn't get it right

By These Three Fibro Chronic Fatigue & Myofascial Pain Tuesday, January 19, 2010

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John Hopkins handout on FM suggest presence of "trigger points" as diagnostic. This is not so. Following is my response to them.

I am disheartened that John Hopkins would publish a paper stating that FM patients have trigger points. This is just not so. They have tender points. Trigger points are knotted up muscle fibers that cause referred pain and restriction of motion. This is not the case with the tender points of fibromyalgia. Please don't mislead people who hold you in the highest esteem. It is important for you to understand exactly what you are printing, and this misuse of terms that can lead to a misdiagnosis and untimately the wrong treatment. Please, please get this information to the correct people. Thank you for your intentions, they are appreciated, but it is imperative that the information is correct.

Suggest investigation for Harvard Nurses Health Study

Comments (5) | Add comment

Karen Lee Richards, Health Guide

1/23/10 5:12am

I couldn't agree more! There is a very distinct and important difference between tender points and trigger points. I found the handout your are referring to and it saddens me to see that an institution as highly respected as Johns Hopkins would publish something with such a basic error.

joanna

1/26/10 3:21am

I was talking to him today and telling him how sure I was that among other things I was pretty sure I had Fibromyalgia. I had taken a test on-line I said (which was the wrong thing to say) and I fit every symptom. He laughed at me. He said anyone could take any test about anything on-line and have almost all the symptoms! Like that was the only thing I was basing my feelings on. He wouldn't evem discuss it with me. Where do Dr. go to school to take the course on arragonise(ms)?

These Three Fibro Chronic Fatigue & Myofascial Pain

2/ 6/10 2:36pm

The answer to where doctors get their education on myofascial medicine and central nervous disruption that affects muscle is "they don't get much." Doctors that specialize in this field are making great steps towards changing that. In the meantime, we are at the mercy of many uneducated people. My rheumatologist talks down to me too, despite knowing I am an author on the subject. Oh, did I add he treats fibromyalgia? It is frustrating. Is it any wonder that we take charge of our own healthcare? That is a plus, though sometimes it would be nice to discuss our FM with people who stay up to date on their medical journals. When we empower ourselves with knowledge, not even the most uncompassionate healthcare provider can take it away. Not even one iota of what we have learned the hard way. Mark my words, "they will be eating crow one day," maybe sooner than we think. The evidence is staggering now and we have come a long way. Hold on tight, it's going to be quite a ride. TheseThree.com

joanna

2/ 6/10 7:42pm

Funny that your Neurologist has that come back about laughing and saying anyone could take any test and have most of the symptoms. That is EXACTLY the same comment my Neuroologist said.

joanna

2/ 6/10 7:43pm

This is too funny!!!! I just replied to my own post. A little dementia here????

John Hopkins didn't get it right

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