Support for fibromyalgia and chronic myofascial pain syndrome

An HSI member named Barb wants other members to know about an unusual condition called Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS).

Barb writes: “I am a member of the HSI, and I didn’t see anything regarding Myofascial Pain Syndrome on the web site. I have been trying for 6 years to figure out what is wrong with me, and this explains everything, even seemingly unrelated symptoms. They are all in there! I believe this is a very real condition, and it could help people who don’t know what they are experiencing, to find out about this. It took me 6 years of heavy research to figure it out!”

Barb’s comment about MPS being “a very real condition,” may sound like a familiar plea to patients with fibromyalgia – another health problem in which patients are often told that unexplained pains are “all in your head.”

MPS is a unique musculoskeletal condition characterized by trigger points. When the points are pressed, pain occurs in other areas of the body. And while Barb wasn’t able to find anything about MPS in the HSI archives, the syndrome is addressed in a couple of postings on the HSI Healthier Talk community forum.

In a forum thread titled “Favorite Fibromyalgia Books” a member named Pearl writes: “What books do you find really helpful for your fibromyalgia? Here are some of mine:

“1) ‘Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual,’ Second Edition, 2001, by Devin Starlanyl and Mary Ellen Copeland

“This book is indispensable! It was coauthored by a medical doctor who has fibromyalgia and the often accompanying chronic myofascial pain. It is a bargain in paperback, and is quite large.

“2) ‘The Fibromyalgia Advocate,’ getting the support you need to cope with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome, 1999, by Devin J. Starlanyl, M.D.

“This companion manual to book #1, above, helps you, as the ‘Leader of your medical team’ find the help you need. It is also helpful in dealing with your problems, and your family members. I could not do without either book.”

You can find more information about both books at this web site: sover.net/~devstar/. Both are available on amazon.com.