What I just cannot get through my head is why a) so many doctors are unaware of this problem with as many millions of people are afflicted with it and b) that any doctor would have the audacity to deny that you are in pain or otherwise affected daily.

A) Fibromyalgia used to be called by another name - Rheumatism. "The term "rheumatism" is still used in colloquial speech and historical contexts, but is no longer frequently used in medical or technical literature; there is no longer any recognized disorder simply called "rheumatism." Some countries use the word rheumatism to describe fibromyalgia syndrome." 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheumatism

  "The term "rheumatism" is not frequently used in current medical text, but is more often found in historical medical text."  The term, in fact, was coined somewhere between 1595–1605 (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rheumatism).  Doctors in that time did not treat patients like these feelings, pains or problems were "all in your head." In fact, they usually tried many different treatments to try to assist you in obtaining some relief from this disorder. It is most likely why most of us who end up seeing a Rheumatologist for Fibromyalgia is because of it's original name "RHEUM-atisim." 

It seems to me that now that the medical community has split "Rheumatism into separate categories such as Fibro, CFS, ME, etc., they have forgotten that at one time these conditions were all treated in very similar ways as they were all considered the same thing.  Now there are specialized drugs for the different breakdowns in categorizing something that used to be called Rheumatism and gave it it's own separate category these days. One of it's names is now Fibromyalgia.  Thus the creation by big Pharma to create  Lyrica.  Thus off-label use of these drugs.  Thus these drugs created by pharmaceutical companies causnig more harm to us than good when we are prescribed a med on or off label for our condition; the side effects and impact of these medications on our liver, kidneys; thyroids and who knows what else will cause us in the long run to have shorter life spans. Especially in those who are diagnosed at younger ages.

Why don't doctors go back and research what worked for "Rheumatism "in people in the past?  Begin there and work forward.  From what I have read, people with Rheumatism may have suffered from it "acting up", however, these were older ladies and occasionally gentlemen, much like the gender gap today. Plus as I said, these were OLDER people.  Which means whatever and however they were being treated for Rheumatism wasn't more harmful to their bodies than what they took to control their symptoms, unlike today.

Something has to be done.  The NIH has been sitting (was sitting) on a drug discovered in Japan 50 years ago which relieves and removes all symptoms in almost 70% of all people who use this drug.  The first three (3) years I emailed the NIH about getting into the test program I was either not responded to or was told they had not yet opened trials. Now, they have been in trials for over 4 years and still this drug is only in Phase 2 of trials (the last I looked a month or so ago).  Why are they waiting to release this to the public?  There are NO SIDE EFFECTS from taking this medication whatsoever. No-one ever reports any - neither in Japan nor here in the trials in the USA.  I fear it will be another 10 years we must wait for this drug to even make it to the FDA.  When the trial first opened there was no-one to run it.  When they found someone to run it, he was involved for a couple years and then moved on (which means someone else has to start from scratch.) I swear, the US will approve a pill like VIAGRA overnight, but to ease the suffering of millions of women in this country and around the world - we get diddly squat.

B) Most doctors I have met are idiots and look down at you if you are even somewhat aware of your body and what you have been through.  They are the "DOCTOR" after all and know what protocols to follow.  In other words, if it wasn't in a text book where they went to Med school or isn't in the computerized programs they have to tell them everything they need to do these days they could care less. Besides, it's all in your mind, right?

It may very well be my brain and brain-stem over-reacting to something that would not hurt another person in even close to the same way.  However, in no way is it IMAGINARY and psychotherapy is not going to kill the lack of sleep, constant pain, the stumbling and falling, the breaking bones because of that, my legs and feet burning; nor the cramping in my hands, back and neck. Feel my neck Dr. Evil... do those knots feel right to you?

That's my rant for the day. :)

Enjoy your Wednesday and have as pain free as possible day!

Laurellis Fibro Crafts - you can find me on Facebook.