Successful fibromyalgia conference plan a reunion in 2011

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Category: General

Created on Tuesday, 11 May 2010 21:54

Published on Tuesday, 11 May 2010 21:54

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SPEAKERS PRESENTATION SUMMARIES

The following summaries are reported by fibromites who attended the conference and helped to provide information for this article. My grateful thanks to the following note takers as it was impossible for me to sit in and listen to any of the speakers due to other conference commitments.

Group Leader of West York’s FM SG Denise Rhodes wrote the following reports

Denise wrote, “Overall, the information from the speakers was delivered with humour, sympathy and great authority.  The passion with which much of the subject matter was disseminated demonstrated a level of caring far and above what I expected and definitely above the experience level of many of the GPs and consultants reported to me on the helpline and by colleagues in my group. All speakers made themselves available after their presentations and showed great interest in questions asked and gave detailed responses.

Report by Leanne Daniels from Horndean FM SG with thanks for her commitment and help during the weekend

Dr Ernest Choy MD, FRCP is Consultant Rheumatologist at King's College Hospital and Director of the Sir Alfred Baring Jarrod Clinical Trials Unit in the Academic Department of Rheumatology, King’s College London. He is also Director of Research and Development at King’s College Hospital in London.

Discussing the new advances in the pathophysiological management of fibromyalgia Professor Choy said it was hard to investigate pain with doctors feeling there is nothing they can identify to reach a diagnosis. Many controversies have been removed by trying not to label patients. He said MRI scans show the structure of the subject but not how the organ or tissuing was functioning. Brain functions can be seen and the magnetic properties in the brain are changed by the blood flow. Since the MRI uses magnets the brain functioning can now be seen.

Brain scans have even shown a reaction when red-hot chilli peppers are placed on the skin, with pain registered in certain areas of the brain. Pain results from a pain response and activates areas of the brain. The scan is useful as a tool to see how pain is perceived in FMS using pressure applied to the thumbnails, a sensation for pain against the pressure, can be detected. When this is applied to someone with FMS the signal to the brain can be identified to see if it correlates to the pain felt. So the pain is not just in your head.

In normals increased pressure eventually results in pain. In someone with FMS pain is triggered in the brain much sooner.  This confirms the patient was not lying.

Professor Choy confirmed there are areas in the brain where normals and those with FMS show differences. Those with FMS were found to have less activity is regions of the brain than normals.

FMS patients react differently to normals, as their brain inhibitor is not working. They do not respond well to morphine. The brain produces its own morphine-type drugs. As the inhibitor does not work the natural drug produced by the brain is also reduced.

Sleep is very important and there is a link between sleep quality and pain.  Good sleep reduces pain to manageable levels but it may not go away. Researchers are working towards identifying the relevant pathways and how to clear them. The focus is now on research to improve sleep,

Aims in the treatment of FMS include reducing pain, improving functions, better quality of life, and allowing patients to self manage. It has been identified that FMS is a complex and herogenetic condition and not everyone with fibromyalgia is the same.

Three sub groups within FMS have been identified and this is significant enough to show that blanket or individually tailored treatment would be needed. In trials random meds are given and there have been similar observations about 3 sub groups. Drugs trialed in the USA revealed similar results with sub groups in different pathways. Some patients have more sleep disturbances, mood changes or depression. Depression can lead to poor sleep patterns and hinders the ability to cope. Researchers are trying to develop treatments suitable for each individual pathway for patients. To date there is not one magic cure but with these small steps forward it is hoped that one day there may be one drug to help all fibromites.

Dr Choy said they were trying to educate doctors on what FMS actually is, and   explain to the patients’ relatives more about the pain they cannot see.

Exercise may hurt but if you do not exercise you lose muscle tone, which can make fatigue worse.  It is important to push on doing gradually more each day. Best time to exercise is in the evening followed by a warm bath and bed to enhance sleep quality.

Dr Choy confirmed medical guidelines could be sent to GPs on request to FMA UK - http://www.fibromyalgia-associationuk.org/general-articles-highlights-208/271-medical-pack-html