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6 July 2006
Fibromyalgia Often Overlooked During Pregnancy 
Research from Temple University suggests that pregnant women with fibromyalgia experience significant pain, fatigue and psychological stress, but the symptoms are unfortunately often misdiagnosed as a normal part of pregnancy. The study, presented at the Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses' convention, is the first to look at the impact of pregnancy on women with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a condition usually found in women that causes pain in the muscles and soft tissues of the body. Many sufferers feel weak from fatigue, and the condition, at its worst, can lead to disability. "Until now, there was only anecdotal evidence suggesting that women with fibromyalgia had a rougher time during pregnancy," said study author Karen M. Schaefer. This data is the first step toward gathering hard evidence of fibromyalgia effects on this group and will hopefully help us identify ways to reduce the impact of fibromyalgia during pregnancy."
Schaefer recruited pregnant women with and without fibromyalgia as participants in the study. The subjects were between the ages of 29 and 31, in their third trimester, with no history of stillbirth and free of chronic illnesses other than fibromyalgia. The results revealed that the pregnant women with fibromyalgia had difficulty functioning, felt more stiff and tired, and experienced pain in more body areas than women without fibromyalgia. "Most women with fibromyalgia have trouble getting this condition properly diagnosed, let alone knowing where to turn for help once their condition is identified. We need to start looking at how fibromyalgia affects all areas of these women's lives and come up with ways to provide as much comfort and support as possible," Schaefer said. Source: Temple University
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