1

Running Header: Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia
Jonathan Bland
Pathophysiology
Professor Lori McGowan

2
Running Header: Fibromyalgia

Mrs. Oliver has pain and stiffness in the muscles and tendons of her shoulders,
legs, and neck. She had osteoarthritis too. Her discomfort increases during stress. She
is depressed. Most patients suffer from depression after they deal with daily pain for
months on end. The patient is more than likely suffering from a disease known as
Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which people experience longterm, body-wide pain and tender points in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft
tissues. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue; sleep problems, headaches,
depression, anxiety, and other symptoms (PubMed Health, 2010). There is currently no
known cause for this disorder. It is known that this disorder affects women more
commonly between the ages of 20-50.
The patients substance P levels may be increased depending on the patients
pain levels. If she is in great pain than substance P levels will also be elevated.
The patient may also have chronic neck or back pain, chronic fatigue syndrome,
depression, hypothyroidism, Lyme disease, and sleep disorders. She may have tender
points where the pain is located. (PubMed Health, 2010). They are found in the soft
tissue on the back of the neck, shoulders, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, and knee.
(PubMed Health, 2010). She may describe the pain as deep-aching, radiating, gnawing
or burning, and ranges from mild to severe.
The patient may seek treatment for fibromyalgia with physical therapy, exercise,
and methods for reducing stress, if these methods fail to improve symptoms, an
antidepressant or muscle relaxant may be added to the treatment (PubMed Health,

3
Running Header: Fibromyalgia

2010). The patient may be placed on medications that reduce depression. They can be
placed on pain killers to reduce the pain that she feels. They need to be involved
physical therapy to help with the muscles. Muscle relaxants will help the patient,
sleeping aids to allow the patient to rest at night.
The patients need to attack this disorder that they have at all directions. They
must take meds to combat the physical and psychological problems at the same time. If
the patient doesnt stay on top of their disorder they could have a very painful and
debilitating life.

4
Running Header: Fibromyalgia

Works Cited
Gould, B. E. (2006). Pathophysiology for the Health Professionals, 3rd Edition. Philadelphia: W.B.
Sauders.

PubMed Health. (2010, Feb 7). Fibromyalgia. Retrieved April 9, 2011, from PubMed Health:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001463/