Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that involves widespread pain, sleep disturbance, headaches, digestive dysfunction, and heightened skin sensitivity.
Usually, lab tests are of little use, because they are "normal". However, people with Fibromyalgia know that they are not "normal". The most common signs and symptoms of Fibromyalgia are heightened due to weather, stress, physical activity or even the day.
Widespread Pain: Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain in specific areas of your body when pressure is applied, including the back of your head, upper back and neck, upper chest, elbows, hips and knees. The pain continues for months at a time and is most often accompanied by stiffness.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): The constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating associated with IBS are common for sufferers of Fibromyalgia.
Heightened sensitivity: It's common for people with Fibromyalgia to report being sensitive to odors, noises, bright lights and touch.
Other common signs and symptoms:
Treatment begins when you are ready to find out the cause of your problem.
What is Fibromyalgia?
We know that you cannot get better from something unless you treat the cause. At FCA that’s what we do, we find and treat the cause of your
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain.
We know that each person suffering from Fibromyalgia has different areas of pain and need and we look at the individual. You will never be a number in an FCA office.
We know that having Fibromyalgia has stopped you from doing the things you love and being with those most dear to you. Our Doctors want to see you regain these areas.
Our trained Doctors have helped hundreds of Fibromyalgia suffers find the cause of their pain and
regain their lives. It is their passion and commitment.
Depression
Mood changes
Numbness
Difficulty concentrating
Chest pain
Dry eyes, skin and mouth
Anxiety
Dizziness
Sleep disturbances
Headaches
Weight gain
After that I was having a hard time even remembering what I was doing or what I was saying. At home I was always on edge, jumping down everyone's throat (most of the time for no reason) really because I was frustrated and in so much pain. Everything that happened in my life I blew out of proportion and managed not only to stress myself out even more, but everyone else around me. Family started avoiding me. At first I thought to myself ‘good because they don’t care about me and can’t possibly understand what I am going through.’ After awhile I couldn’t even stand being with myself and the way I was hurting other people. It was so frustrating that everyone around me could not see or understand the pain and things that were making me the way I was. They would say ’you look fine’, and so what if I had a little pain and they’d tell me to go get help. I had been trying to get help for years but I just wasn’t going to the right place until I found Dr. Scranton and his staff.
My problems prevented me from doing most everything people take for granted every day of their lives. I couldn’t sit or stand for long periods of time. Forget bending over without becoming completely dizzy and having nausea. Any movement which involved bending slightly forward or looking down was impossible. Things like making the bed, sweeping the floor, shaking out the rugs, brushing my hair, reading, computer work, the list is endless. I couldn’t look up for fear of falling nor could I turn my head from side to side and couldn’t raise my arms any further than up to my chest. Life was not that great. All of the work that I did had to be done completely at eye level which was difficult with most tasks.
Prior to coming to Dr. Scranton’s office I had been going to chiropractors since I was a few months old. I have had acupuncture, physical therapy, water therapy, whirlpools and still was not getting better. I even went to a doctor who specialized in Fibromyalgia. Worst mistake of all. I have nicknamed this particular doctor “Pill Pusher.” I used over the counter drugs trying to just get through the day without pain and nausea which had little effect.
Dr. “Pill Pusher” gave me so many different kinds of drugs had I continued to take them I would have had another problem, being addicted to drugs. These drugs made me nauseated. The pills he gave me for depression made me more depressed. I stopped taking all the medications and stopped going to that doctor. Apparently that doctor thought I was a nut case because of all the depression medications he gave me.
After I started coming to Dr. Scranton’s office, even after the first visit and adjustment, I noticed I had a lot less pressure in my neck, head and back. Also the feeling of hope that I was really going to get better this time returned. My life has already improved because I am feeling so much better physically and mentally. My relationships at home have greatly improved. My family isn’t running away from me like they did. They can see a big difference in me. They don't completely understand why things are changing but I am working on trying to explain it to them. Other people in my life are starting to notice a change. My dad says “my old daughter is back” and my mom sees that I am so much more relaxed and happier and not in so much pain. My friends say “Wow. You can smile.”
I know I have finally come to the right doctor who is going to help me reach the kind of life I use to have and want to have back again. So many years in so much pain and things lost that I can’t get back. I thought I was going to have to live with this for the rest of my life but I am not. There really is hope and help for each of us. Dr. Scranton is the most caring doctor I have been to and truly wants to help you get better. He listens, answers your questions, takes so much time with you. How many doctors can you say do that? Tacia and Amy are also very caring and wonderful to talk to and ask questions. They really care about you too. I am on the road to recovery finally and to a much happier life. Thank you Dr. Scranton and staff.
If you have doubts when you come in please don’t just come for one initial visit and then quit, Or come in two times and say you are not getting better. It will take a little time. Do you believe in miracles? I never did until now. Please let Dr. Scranton and his staff be your miracle too.
My name is Chris Z. and I live in rural Toulon IL. I came to Dr. Scranton's office because I have Fibromyalgia and back problems a nd have dealt with severe pain, depression, fatigue, migraines, restless leg syndrome, and Menieres disease to mention just a few. I worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs, a very stressful job, and had to do a lot of typing, bending over paperwork and filing. I noticed at that point I was having problems and had to miss a lot of work. I was having pain in my neck, back, shoulders and severe headaches and nausea. I also taught dancing for years and had to give that up to.
Dr Scranton's Fibromyalgia Hotline.
Call to schedule an appointment.
(309) 749-7405
