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In the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, July/August 2006, (Volume 29, Issue 6) Michael J. Schneider, David M. Brady and Stephen M. Perle explain that there are two categories of fibromyalgia: "classic fibromyalgia" and "pseudo fibromyalgia". The symptoms are the same in both cases, but the cause of the problem is different. Patients who suffer from “classic fibromyalgia” have low serotonin levels. This prevents the muscles from relaxing properly and prevents patients from reaching a deep level of sleep. This is why many doctors prescribe anti-depressant medications for fibromyalgia patients to take at night – to boost serotonin levels while they sleep, so that they will reach a deeper level of sleep and their muscles will relax properly. Serotonin can become depleted following a trauma, such as a car accident or chronic stress. “Pseudo fibromyalgia” refers to a group of conditions or health problems that, when combined, cause fibromyalgia symptoms. For example, if a patient suffers from insomnia, hypermobile joints and I.B.S., they are likely to have all or most fibromyalgia symptoms, but their serotonin levels may be normal. There are three types of “pseudo fibromyalgia”: Organic diseases This includes diseases such as Lyme disease, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, all of which can cause fibromyalgia symptoms. Functional disorders Patients who are malnourished fall into this category, whether their malnourishment is due to poor diet or a medical problem that affects their digestion and absorption of nutrients. Intestinal dysbiosis and liver problems are functional disorders that can lead to fibromyalgia symptoms.
Various sleep disorders, including sleep apnea and narcolepsy, can also cause many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Musculoskeletal disorders Fibromyalgia symptoms can be caused by a combination of factors such as multiple trigger points, hypermobile joints, muscle imbalances and problems with the spine. Nowadays serotonin levels can be tested, so it’s worth having that test done in order to find out whether your symptoms are due to “classic” or “pseudo” fibromyalgia. If the answer is “classic” then you can focus on sorting out your serotonin problems, whether you choose to use medications or supplements. If you do not have depleted serotonin levels then your symptoms could be referred to as “pseudo fibromyalgia” and it’s time to start pinpointing the various causes of your symptoms, so that you can work out how to treat them. Click here for a list of conditions that can cause fibromyalgia symptoms
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