Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Living Well

FIBROMYALGIA

You hurt all over. Your muscles are stiff and it's hard to get moving in the morning. You're fatigued constantly, but have trouble sleeping. Yet, your physician has difficulty finding a specific diagnosis. This is a familiar scenario for those with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder involving chronic pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons.

It may be associated with difficulty sleeping, fatigue, anxiety, stress, depression, numbness, headaches, tingling in your hands and feet, digestive problems and sensitivity to weather and temperature changes. Although the condition may feel like a joint disease, it isn't a form of arthritis and it doesn't cause deformity in your joints.

Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose. There isn't a test that can confirm the condition. The American College of Rheumatology has established some general diagnostic guidelines for fibromyalgia to help in the assessment and study of the condition. They include widespread aching for at least three months and at a minimum of 11 locations (tender points) on your body that are abnormally tender under mild pressure.

There's no known cure for fibromyalgia, but the following steps may help reduce symptoms:

• Stress Reduction Develop a plan to limit overexertion and emotional stress. But don't change your routine totally.

• Regular exercise At first, exercise may increase your pain. But exercising regularly often improves symptoms. Appropriate exercise include walking, swimming and water aerobics. Keep your activity on an even level. Strive for 20 to 30 minutes of exercise four or five times a week.

• Adequate sleep Fatigue makes symptoms worse. Develop regular sleep hours and try to get adequate rest nightly.

• Education Learn more about fibromyalgia. You may find comfort from a support group.

• Medications Moderate doses of over-the-counter pain relievers may eliminate some of your pain. Your doctor may prescribe small doses of certain antidepressant medications to promote deep sleep.

• Other techniques Massages, hot baths and relaxation techniques may bring relief.

Jerry and Sonora Haney wish to announce the engagement and upcoming marriage of their daughter, Ruth Ann Haney, of Little Rock to Randy Shilling of Redfield. The prospective groom's parents are Wayne and Pam Shilling of Redfield. The bride-elect is a 1995 graduate of Prescott High School and is currently employed at United Parcel Service in Little Rock. The prospective groom is a 1995 graduate of Home School and is currently employed at UPS in Little Rock. The ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. on February 14 at the Shilling Farm off Hopper Road in Redfield. All friends and relatives are invited to attend.

Sue and Rodney Price of Longview, Texas, are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Rhonda Anne, to Brantley Wayne Baker, son of Nina and Terry Baker, also of Longview. Grandparents of the bride are Marjorie and Bryon Richburg of Emmet and Nell and Bully Price of Hickory Plains. The wedding will be Saturday, March 7, at 2:00 p.m. at the Black Gate Ranch, home of Betsy and Jimmy Hunt, in Hallsville, Texas. All friends and family are invited to attend.

Marcia and Scott McGlone of Prescott announce the engagement of their daughter, Desiree Meister, to John Mark Rutter, son of Mike and Kaye Rutter of Little Rock. The bide-elect and the prospective groom both attend the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, where Desiree is majoring in special education and elementary education. John Mark is majoring in philosophy and plans to attend seminary school in Portland, Ore. The wedding is set for 3:00 p.m. on June 6 in the special events center of Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock.

Jonquils abound on the hillside around the 1836 courthouse at Old Washington Historic State Park. The 30th annual Jonquil Festival will be held March 6, 7 and 8.