Hello - I was just diagnosed with Myofascial Pain Syndrome yesterday. I haven't been able to find any websites that indicate what the odds are of recovering fully, subsequent to receiving appropriate physical and/or emotional therapy? Can I ever get better?

My pain has been ongoing since November 2002; I knew I was a chronic pain patient, but I didn't have a name for what was wrong with me until yesterday....it is a relief I guess to have a name for my problem finally. I have been judged so harshly by my friends/family, etc., because I look normal from the outside......I am in litigation because this all started after I underwent extensive dental work; my lawsuit is supposed to settle towards the end of this year (2007), and it won't come a moment too soon...I have lost virtually everything I have ever worked for and am in deep deep financial debt since I lost my job/career last June 2006. The financial costs associated with my experience have crushed me, and at this point, I have little hope of returning to work until I can realize some sort of improvement in my physical status. Here are my questions:

* Do other people with MPS work regular, full-time jobs?

*What can I expect in terms of recovery, now that I have been diagnosed, and now that I may receive appropriate care?

* Do family/friends start becoming more compassionate when a name is finally given to a persons problem?

* Will I ever be able to live a full/active life - as per 'normal' people?

* How do I participate in my recovery?

* Are there sleep meds that are beneficial to people with MPS?

* Is it normal to feel like an outcast of society?

I know this is a lot to ask....please help me if you can - I am soooo confused.

Thank you.

Blackpanther

Hi, BP! Welcome to NeuroTalk!

I was able to find a current discussion on this condition in the Fibromyalgia forum here: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...+Pain+Syndrome

Hopefully some of those good folks will know a little more than I (highly likely).

Feel free to jump in or post a thread anywhere, and let us know if we can assist you with anything.

Hi -
The TOS forum has info on MPS or CMPS "chronic" in our useful stickys and some of the same self helps and therapies will be helpful too.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=84

the info links about- triggerpoint, massage, US, LLLT, INF stim should all be useful for you.
Possibly even chiropractic and bodywork therapies.

We get TRPs and spasms and achy muscles often with TOS.

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Looks like you have been given some links to check. Here we are a group of members hoping to assist others if possible.
Looking forward to seeing you around in the forums.

Darlene

glad you found this forum. it's a great place for information and support and i hope you stick around! i see others have given you some good links so for what it's worth i will try to address some of your questions... just my take on them, OK.

yes, some people can work fulltime with CMPS. it all depends on the individual, the severity of the case, nature of employment, course of tx, lots of factors

i think getting a dx can help friends and family to become more understanding. you might want to check out the invisible disabilites advocates (try google). empathy is impossible, by definition. doesn't mean they don't love you.

hard to say what to expect in terms of recovery; this is a question for you to ask your tx team in all fairness. but getting the right dx is key. it is the avenue to tx, education and all that flows from there.

i don't know any "normal" people so can't help you there! what i can tell you is that, for me, acceptance was key. my life may not look the way i thought it was going to before my injury(zzzz), but it is full today. which is not to say i don't have TrP's and pain galore - i do. it is what it is.

learning all you can about your dx is a good start in participating in your recovery, to my way of thinking. start asking questions, reach out for help when you need it. good doctors don't mind when their patients are well-informed in my experience; in fact, they appreciate it. same for PT's and other practitioners. knowledge is power. take your power back, now that you have a dx.

sleep meds is a question for your doc. you may not need them if you can get into a good PT protocol. even a good walking program, to start those endorphins flowing, get the proper nutrition on board, etc.

yes, sadly, it can be part of the chronic pain experience to feel disenfranchised. try not to stay there if you can. i can tell from the questions you're asking, that you already know where some of the answers lie...

one more thing and then i'll let you go.

"A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort." Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)

alison

Welcome to Neurotalk, Black Panther

Hi Blackpanther and welcome to NeuroTalk. If nothing else, talking to the people who share your diagnosis is comforting. I have fibromyalgia and chronic myofascia pain. I used to think that the fibro was worse. Well, fibro flares are really nasty. But the myosfascia pain with me is chronic.

When I'm at the doctor for whatever reason, and they touch something and say "Does this hurt?" I always say yes. Because, it hurts anywhere to be touched pretty much!

I understand your pain and so will the others in the forums you've been linked to. I think a combination of therapies is helpful.

One of my favorite is epsom salt baths. A good sized cup of salts in a hot bath and soak for 10-15 minutes. I also go to a very good massage therapist, but I feel she would be more beneficial if I could afford to go on a weekly basis.

I can't answer all of your questions but I am one who works full time and have for 21 years. After 21 years, normal people have tons of sick leave built up. Not me. I use it nearly as fast as I get it. Work is no picnic but then I have a couple other problems going on, mostly with my back and tailbone.

My family is very supportive and understanding, but I gave them printouts of information about the FMS and CMPS. The more your family and friends know, the better they understand.

When people see people like you and me, they can't figure out "Well, what in the world is your problem? You look fine to me!" I try to educate those who know me so they'll understand.

I have to wonder if you might have fibro as well. Were you checked for that? CMP often goes hand in hand with fibro.

Oh, and most fibro people can attest to having nonrestorative sleep. I have to take sleeping meds or I would never sleep. Plus, I have sleep apnea, which I just found out this year, and use a CPAP for that. It's not fun to wear the contraptions at night, but after awhile it does help.

You're at a wonderful place here. Everyone is very caring and supportive.