Fibromyalgia Cause Discovered?

It sounds a bit too good to be true, but maybe a new discovery into what may cause fibromyalgia can bring hope to those who have this mysterious disease. Researchers in New York claim that they have found that people with fibromyalgia had more sensory nerve fibers at certain sites in the palm of the hand. The researchers believe that this finding could explain the hypersensitivity and increase in pain sensation, because of the link between these nerves and the pain that people with fibromyalgia feel throughout the body.

While I'm not thrilled with the article title (too sensational and not quite true), Fibromyalgia Mystery Finally Solved! does do a good job of explaining the findings.

The study, published in the medical journal Pain Medicine, was based on a small study group, so much more research needs to be done. But, if there is something to this, not only could this be a basis for better treatment research, it could help prove to nay-sayers that this is an actual disease with actual effects.

Sadly, fibromyalgia falls into the invisible diseases and if you have an invisible disease, it is easy for some people to dismiss your illness as "in your head," or an excuse to get out of doing something. Some people are determined to prove that fibromyalgia doesn't exist (Fibromyalgia - It's Not Real/Yes, It Is). For those of us who have it, fibromyalgia is very real.

If you are looking for more information on fibromyalgia, I wrote an article for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain magazine, called You Don't Have to Look Sick to Be Sick. This may explain things for you.

In the meantime, it's nice to know that the research is continuing. One day, there will be an effective treatment, if not cure.