WeAreFibro.org - The Social Support Network for People Living with Fibromyalgia

Study Show That Fibromyalgia During Pregnancy Can Amplify Pain And FatiguePregnancy for many women is no walk in the park, but when you suffer with fibromyalgia studies show that you can experience considerable pain, fatigue, low energy, and psychological stress along with the other symptoms of pregnancy. Many times women who are pregnant are misdiagnosed, and under treated for their pain and discomfort. This is according to a pilot study that was done by Karen M. Schaefer, D.N.Sc., R.N., assistant professor of nursing at Temple University’s College of Health Professions, and studied women who were between the ages of 29-31 in their 3rd trimester of pregnancy.  Ms. Schaefer’s...

Fibromyalgia Often Overlooked During Pregnancy Research from Temple University suggests that pregnant women with fibromyalgia experience significant pain, fatigue and psychological stress, but the symptoms are unfortunately often misdiagnosed as a normal part of pregnancy. The study, presented at the Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses' convention, is the first to look at the impact of pregnancy on women with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a condition usually found in women that causes pain in the muscles and soft tissues of the body. Many sufferers feel weak from fatigue, and the condition, at its worst, can lead to disability. "Until now, there was only anecdotal evidence suggesting that women with...

Pregnancy and Fibromyalgia: My Story and Lessons Learned Thursday, June 21, 2007 By: Kristen Counts Reprinted from FMOnline Pregnancy is a journey for any woman, truly miraculous and filled with incomparable excitement and anxiety. For a woman who suffers with FM, there can be additional challenges along the way. I made it through my own nine-month journey and have tips to share from lessons learned. FM hit me hard in the summer of 2003. With medication, exercise, pacing, and naturopathic remedies, I improved a lot. Knowing that I was in my best shape since the summer flare-up, my husband and I tried to get pregnant the following spring. We had been...

Fibromyalgia and Pregnancy Tuesday, August 30, 2005 By: Melanie Collins Reprinted from FMOnline You may be in the place I was a couple of years ago when I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia and Sjögren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that attacks my glands. I was still considered a newlywed and my husband and I were planning to start a family, and the first thing that I wanted to know was how this news would affect pregnancy. Although I was told that I should have no problems, I decided to do some research of my own. I spoke to each of my specialists about the risks, the difficulties, changing medications, and what...

Fibromyalgia, Pregnancy, and Scientific Research Tuesday, August 23, 2005 By: Kathy Longley Reprinted from FMOnline   My birthday turned out to be a double celebration when my friend Alison, unable to contain her excitement, blurted out that she was pregnant. After many squeals of laughter and hugs of delight we set out for lunch to celebrate. Alison had wanted a baby since her marriage three years ago, but had been prevented from even trying for the first year while she came off all her medications for rheumatoid arthritis. Experiencing these first six months of pregnancy with her has really made me think: would I have to come off all my medications for FM...

Starting a Family: Overcoming My FM Fears Thursday, June 21, 2007 By: Sharon Waldrop Reprinted from FMOnline Nine years ago when I was diagnosed with FM, I thought my dream of a family would never come true. To my delight, many things are possible with FM—but sometimes they require a little extra help and planning. Four years ago, when my husband Mark and I began discussing starting a family, I was excited and scared. How was I going to handle the pregnancy with FM? How would I handle labor? Could I raise a child and be able to take care of my health, which could be its own full time job?...

Q&A with High-Risk Obstetrician Dr. Brian A. Mason Thursday, June 21, 2007 By: Sharon Waldrop Reprinted from FMOnline   Brian A. Mason, MD, FACOG, is an Associate Professor at the Division of Perinatology at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and a perinatologist (high risk obstetrician) at the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at St. John Hospital and Medical Center in Detroit, Michigan.   Q: Can FM affect a pregnancy? How? A: Yes. Although there is severely limited research in this area I would like to share some related studies. Some studies indicate reduced fertility rates among FM patients. One study found an unexplained lower fertility rate in FM patients with myofascial pain syndrome.  Source: "Co-morbid FM accounts...