Andy Abril - Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia

Mayo Clinic

Medical Editors

Andy Abril, M.D. Barbara K. Bruce, Ph.D., L.P.

Editorial Director

Paula M. Marlow Limbeck

Senior Editor

Karen R. Wallevand

Managing Editor

Stephanie K. Vaughan

Senior Product Manager

Christopher C. Frye

Art Director

Stewart (Jay) J. Koski

Illustration, Photography and Production

Kent Mc Daniel, James (Jim) D. Postier II, Gunnar T. Soroos

Editorial Research Librarians

Abbie Y. Brown, Edward (Eddy) S. Morrow Jr., Erika A. Riggin, Katherine (Katie) J. Warner

Copy Editors

Miranda M. Attlesey, Alison K. Baker, Nancy J. Jacoby, Julie M. Maas

Indexer

Steve Rath

Contributing Reviewers and Writers

Rachel A. Haring Bartony; Susan M. Bee, APRN, CNS; Florentina Berianu, M.D.; Ronald R. Butendieck Jr., M.D.; Kenneth T. Calamia, M.D.; Pablo R. Castillo, M.D.; Patricia M. Collins; Kari A. Cornell; Kevin C. Fleming, M.D.; Jessica M. Gehin, R.N.; Barbara J. Knox; Heather L. LaBruna; Connie A. Luedtke, R.N., RN-BC; Arya B. Mohabbat, M.D.; Shehzad K. Niazi, M.D.; Jane E. Ryan; Thomas D. Rizzo Jr., M.D.; Jeffrey D. Rome, M.D.; Christopher D. Sletten, Ph.D., L.P.; Benjamin Wang, M.D.; Laura X. Waxman

Published by Mayo Clinic Press

2019 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER)

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The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. This book is intended only as an informative guide for those wishing to know more about health issues. It is not intended to replace, countermand or conflict with the advice given to you by your own physician. The ultimate decision concerning care should be made between you and your doctor. Information in this book is offered with no guarantees. The authors and publisher disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this book. The individuals pictured in this book are models, and the photos are used for illustrative purposes only. Theres no correlation between the individuals portrayed and the condition or subject discussed.

ISBN (epub): 978-0-7953-5277-5

Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia is designed to supplement the advice of your personal physician, whom you should consult regarding individual medical conditions.

MAYO, MAYO CLINIC and the Mayo triple-shield logo are marks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Cover design by Stewart (Jay) J. Koski

Every day, we see patients who hurt, arent sleeping well, are exhausted and have trouble concentrating. By the time they get to us, many of these people have been told that their symptoms are from stress or depression. Others have been told that theyre wasting their doctors time. Some have even been told that theyre crazy.

All the while, these people are struggling. They just want their lives back. They dont know whats wrong with them or how to make it better.

This is the story of fibromyalgia.

In our decades of experience at Mayo Clinic, weve worked with thousands of patients just like this people with real symptoms of a real disorder known as fibromyalgia. Weve seen these individuals use the strategies in this book to return to productive, fulfilling lives. You can do this, too.

Fibromyalgia is one of the most misunderstood disorders in medicine today. With Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia, youll learn the facts about this disorder and the science behind treatments that can help you manage it.

This book also offers hope. Hope that fibromyalgia doesnt have to define who you are. Hope that fibromyalgia doesnt have to ruin your life. Hope that you can return to a satisfying life, even with fibromyalgia.

Weve watched as the strategies in this book have transformed lives. With these tools and techniques, people with fibromyalgia are returning to the lives they enjoy. You can, too.

Andy Abril, M.D., is the chair of the Division of Rheumatology and co-medical director of the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program, a multidisciplinary program for treating fibromyalgia, at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. Dr. Abril is the program director of Mayo Clinics Rheumatology Fellowship at the Florida campus, and an associate professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. He is board certified in rheumatology. Barbara K. Bruce, Ph.D., L.P., is the clinical director of the Fibromyalgia Treatment Program at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. Shes also a pain psychologist in Mayo Clinics Department of Psychiatry and Psychology and a professor of psychology at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. Dr. Bruce is active in the American Pain Society and the International Association for the Study of Pain, as well as many other professional organizations dedicated to the study and treatment of pain.

Mayo Clinic Guide to Fibromyalgia is a comprehensive guide that provides answers and explanations about fibromyalgia. In this book, youll learn what fibromyalgia is and isnt and how you can live a full, productive, enjoyable life with the condition. To help you easily find the information youre looking for, the book is divided into four sections.

This section covers all the basics about fibromyalgia. Youll get to know people who have fibromyalgia and learn about their experiences. If youre reading this book because you have fibromyalgia, youll likely relate to the last chapter of this section, which outlines some of the conditions biggest challenges. Part 1 kick-starts your knowledge about fibromyalgia and sets the stage for managing it successfully.

In this section, youll learn about fibromyalgia symptoms and how to manage them. In particular, youll discover how cognitive behavioral therapy can help relieve your symptoms. Youll also learn about specific programs that teach cognitive behavioral therapies. Medications and integrative therapies also are addressed in this section.

In this section, youll use what youve learned about fibromyalgia and start developing techniques for managing your symptoms. Youll identify steps you can take, to successfully manage fibromyalgia.

To start this section, well revisit the people you read about at the beginning of the book. How are they managing fibromyalgia, and what are their secrets to success? Youll also get tips for talking with your health care team and your loved ones.

If you dont have fibromyalgia but are caring for a loved one who does, youll learn how you can provide support. Part 4 closes with an action guide that brings together everything youve learned and puts it into a daily plan you can start using right away.

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