Came across research from 2013. It may be that it has already been discussed on the forum but as I am relatively new thought would post as I can't put the link up just google the following if you are interested fibromyalgia-mystery-finally-solved. It is from the Guardian.
Thanks Maggs will look now
Sue
Thanks Maggers will check it out...Valerie
looking at said article relating to arteriole venule shunts I came across:-
n humans, these types of shunts are unique to the palms of our hands and soles of our feet which work like the radiator in a car. Under warm conditions, the shunts close down to force blood into the capillaries at the surface of the skin in order to radiate heat from the body, and our hands get sweaty. Under cold conditions, the shunts open wide allowing blood to bypass the capillaries in order to conserve heat, and our hands get cold and put on gloves.According to Dr. Albrecht, “the excess sensory innervation may itself explain why fibromyalgia patients typically have especially tender and painful hands. But, in addition, since the sensory fibers are responsible for opening the shunts, they would become particularly active under cold conditions, which are generally very bothersome to fibromyalgia patients.“
A role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
Although they are mostly limited to the hands and feet, the shunts likely have another important function which could account for the widespread deep pain, achiness, and fatigue that occurs in fibromyalgia patients.
Ummm...anyone know if the research was taken any further
Hi Maggs.
Thank you: very useful. It may not be the whole truth but it's, most certainly, part of the truth.
I had elevated LDH - Lactate dehydrogenase (ladies: check for this in your bloodwork) in March and the doctors couldn't find an explanation for it. So there it is.
Anecdotally my endocrinologist called the LDH - Lactate dehydrogenase test "the ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) of the wealthy" because, according to him, the tests play the same role but the former's more accurate and more expensive and therefore, avoided by NHSs doctors! Lovely!
I've made a quick search and the original scientific article where the subjet is revealed is the following:
Albrecht P, Hou Q, Argoff C, Storey J, Wymer J, Rice F. Excessive Peptidergic Sensory Innervation of Cutaneous Arteriole-Venule Shunts (AVS) in the Palmar Glabrous Skin of Fibromyalgia Patients: Implications for Widespread Deep Tissue Pain and Fatigue in Pain Medicine. 2013.
I reckon Vitamin C can lower LDH - Lactate Dehydrogenase.
Shouldn't be a problem for me for I am known as the "fruit bat" I virtually live on the stuff - wonder what my LDH is? Expensive testing is not available on NHS at least in our local hospital - they wouldn't even let my doctor repeat the vit D levels. How come some technican in the lab can tell a GP she can't request something she deems necessary.
Maggs.
The test is not THAT expensive: it's just MORE expensive. So they use ESR. But, if I were you I would say that I have a group of Fibro Friends (true) that are ALL being tested for LDH (not true) because
Albrecht P, Hou Q, Argoff C, Storey J, Wymer J, Rice F. Excessive Peptidergic Sensory Innervation of Cutaneous Arteriole-Venule Shunts (AVS) in the Palmar Glabrous Skin of Fibromyalgia Patients: Implications for Widespread Deep Tissue Pain and Fatigue in Pain Medicine. 2013.
says they should (true again)!
No is guaranteed and you may just get a "yes".
Teresa.
The NHS here paid for the test but it was prescribed not by the GP but by an Internal Medicine doctor.
My consultant discharged me after diagnosis -got no chance of seeing anybody other than GP. Our caring profession in our local hospital couldn't give a damn. Fast thinking I should ask for a referral elsewhere. There must be a consultant somewhere who knows what fibro is and can do something other than tell me a positive mental attitude is all I need! Anyone know if any of the london hospitals have fibro experts.
Maggs. I'm in Portugal so I can't suggest anyone in London. whereabouts are you may I ask? If you're keen on looking for other doctors perhaps you could go to one of those LDN doctors and give it a go?
Very interesting, do you think that would account for all the varied symptoms? Pain isn't just the only symptom, do you think it would cause the cognitive issues and the half asleep brain and sensitivities too?
Shame it didn't say what might be the treatment or cure and how long it might take.
Teresa, does living in Portugal help your symptoms? That's our usual holiday place for the last 4 years and we adore it, considered moving there but have a son in school but always wondered if being there long term would benefit the pain situation. The guy I spoke to out there in May said 300 days sunshine a year vs UK 300 days rain which always aggravate my symptoms.
Just read this, absolutely fascinating, so thank you very much. I found an update to this fibro research release dated 2014 by Dr Frank Rice. It is about integrated tissue dynamics, and questions as a possibility the role of estrogen in this whole syndrome. Research is obviously a slow process, what with testing so many parameters and having to secure funding.
This research certainly explains why my symptoms seem worse in cold weather with aching hands and fingers, plus all the other pressure points of the body, fun. Please Mr Genie whisk me off to a tropical island where I can swim in azure waters.
Oops got carried away, forgot so say thank you once again Maggers. What a versatile lady you are, a provider of poetry, humour and research.
All the very best
Meg
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Thanks. Maggers..have just copied and pasted it in my notes, I'm on my way out..look forward to reading it later..have a lovely day...be blessed.,:-) xxx