Hi, guys. If you don't mind, I think a few clarifications are necessary here!
MG is all about weakness. We don't get enough acetylcholine and our muscles get weak. NO, we don't get pain as a primary symptom. However, we can get pain as a secondary symptom due to a muscle being too weak. If any of you have overdone things, you know your weak muscles can cramp up or spasm. Overuse of muscles causes pain and we MGers definitely quickly overuse our muscles.
Doctors DO NOT know the cause of fibromyalgia. They have some clues but have no definitive answers. It has not been proven to be an autoimmune disease or to be "related" to MG. Fibro may be more sensitive to chemical or hormonal or nutritional changes in the body.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fib...SECTION=causes
There have been some studies lately that show large numbers of people with musculoskeletal pains and aches actually don't have enough vitamin D. It's a very common deficiency.
There's interesting information out there but, again, no clear answers.
http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServ...e=fibromyalgia
http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServ...yalgia_science
If a doctor is saying that all MGers get fibro or that the two are related somehow, they haven't done their research.
I don't have fibro. I can't say that I know how it feels. From the descriptions, it's not very fun to live with.
My Mom got fibro when she took hormone replacement therapy. She stopped the drug, then the fibro disappeared.
Exercise is good for anyone. My neuro said exercise in a pool is the best thing for MG. Fewer reps of those rubber band things helps to build strength and not overtax the muscles. Shorter bursts of activity followed by rest is good (with a fan blowing on you so you don't get hot!). Exercise in the summer is obviously harder than in the winter, even when you exercise inside. I get much worse over the summer months.
Like with MG, it's important to get a doctor (usually rheumatologist) who understands what they do know about fibro. The last thing you need is to be confused about what it means to have it.
Does this help or not?
Annie