Fibromyalgia - all in the mind?

[nickytwotimes]

I ask, because my Aunt has it and has ben told by a couple of doctors that it is mainly psychosomatic and that the key to recovery lies in some kind of therapy. Anyone have any experience of this, either first hand or from family/friends?

Well dp is an osteopath and he thinks it is real. Just because some conventional medicine doesn't recognise it doesn't mean that it is not excruciatingly painful. however as with all chronic illness, state of mind has a part to play in recovery.

Sorry, I should have made it more clear, They did stress that they were not denying how much pain/fatigue she suffers, rather that the most effective treatment was some kind of psychological based therapy. Also one of them she saw privately and uses all sorts of complementary therapies. Just wondered how other people have dealt with it.

There are some sufferers on here, I'm sure someone who knows more will be along soon.

Thanks Carmenere.

Agree with Carmenere, I believe it is real but it flummoxes doctors so they might tend to blame it on the patient's state of mind. But I think there are complementary and nutritional therapies available which can make a big difference.

I dont have finbromyalgia, but from what i have heard graded exercise is the most useful treament. I dont know if that is seen as being a psychological therapy or not though?

If you're interested the nutritionish Patrick Holford says:

"This is not an inflammatory disease, so anti-inflammatory painkillers rarely help. Try Magnesium Malate 300mg a day and eat magnesium rich foods such as pumkin seeds."