Pain & childhood abuse - Fibromyalgia Message Board

Linmarie · 02-15-2007, 05:07 PM

I have fibromyalgia and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. I have had many different treatments including stellate ganglion blocks, PT (which made my knees worse), been on many meds, seen dozens of doctors, use a TENS, lidoderm patches, etc. I am again seeing a therapist to help me cope with the pain, etc from the RSD. One of the things that keeps coming back in my sessions is the abusive childhood I had. My sister has MS and my step-brother (no genetics there) has fibromyalgia. The rest of the families are good with no health problems. I wonder if there could possibly be a connection between pain/neuropathic problems and abusive childhoods. Does anyone have any knowledge or ideas regarding this?
Linmarie

girl75 · 02-16-2007, 12:10 PM

i actually posted a thread on this and i didn't get any responses. i was sexually abused as child and think that it may be a connection for some of us.
i do have PTS but have not seen anyone for it yet.
robin

Radar1 · 02-16-2007, 12:35 PM

I have read that there is thought to be a link to childhood abuse in people with Fibro. The problem is that some doctors take that as gospel and say that there is nothing that they can do because it is a mental problem.

I also think that you may not get too many posts on this because many people like us who were abused don't want to talk about it.

Being abused as a child happens unfortunately. In my mind it's something that we just have to accept as part of our person and move on.

As far as how it plays into fibro.....

I know that there is a nationally respected Fibro doctor who says that there is conclusive evidence that shows that a large percentage of Fibro patients have been abused as childred.

You have to decide for yourself if you are going to let that part of your past be a part of today.

Radar

Linmarie · 02-16-2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girl75

i actually posted a thread on this and i didn't get any responses. i was sexually abused as child and think that it may be a connection for some of us.
i do have PTS but have not seen anyone for it yet.
robin

Linmarie · 02-16-2007, 01:08 PM

Wow, I didn't know that there could be a connection. Just a thought that occurred to me. I will ask my therapist. I'm sorry to hear that you were abused also. I've tried for so many years to forget about my past. What is PTS?