Ask an expert
Search expert health advice:
Browse by expert
- ADHD Expert
- Allergy expert
- Anti-ageing expert
- Asthma Expert
- Arthritis expert
- Breast cancer expert
- Cancer expert
- Cough Expert
- CyberDoc
- CyberShrink
- Oral health expert
- Depression expert
- Diabetes expert
- EnviroHealth expert
- Family law expert
- Fertility expert
- Flu expert
- GynaeDoc
- Headache expert
- Healthy Bones
Question
01 Aug 2008
Share
Is Fibromyalgia a mental disorder?
My daughter, 17yrs old has been diagnosed with FMS. The rheumatologist prescribed a few anti inflammatories (not effective as there is no inflammation) SNRI anti depressant(for sleep/pain/depression)and a -|- tail of drugs to relieve the symptoms. What I' ve learnt from web research is that FMS is psychosomatic /somatoform. Ive asked my GP to prescribe Lyrica & eliminate the anti inflammatories. Should GP' s/Specialist rhematologists not direct patients then for psychiatric evaluation? Patients need doctors to perform a rounded approach to treatment, combining mental and physical health
CyberShrink
It is a psychosomatic condition ( though if one looks closely, all illnesses are psychosomatic to a degree --- in that they involve the soma ( body ) and the psyche ( one's mind ). Pain is depressing ; Depression enhances and amplifies pain from any cause, and even when there is no depression, there's good evidence that older antidepressants can help relieve pain anyway ( I haven't seen any specific evidence on SNRI's having this specific property, but it would make sense that they ought to.
Sounds like you really have been doing your homework, as Pregabalin ( Lyrica ) does seem to potentially have special advantages in neuropathic pain an could be helpful in FMS. I agree that a psych evaluation should be thought of ( not necessarily implemented in every case ) in psychosomatic and chronic pain conditions.
Sounds like you really have been doing your homework, as Pregabalin ( Lyrica ) does seem to potentially have special advantages in neuropathic pain an could be helpful in FMS. I agree that a psych evaluation should be thought of ( not necessarily implemented in every case ) in psychosomatic and chronic pain conditions.
The information provided does not constitute a diagnosis of your condition. You should consult a medical practitioner or other appropriate health care professional for a physical examination, diagnosis and formal advice. Health24 and the expert accept no responsibility or liability for any damage or personal harm you may suffer resulting from making use of this content.
