Researchers report that being diagnosed with fibromyalgia is not helpful for patients in the long run.

Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood condition and sufferers often face symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties for years before being diagnosed. It can be so disabling that patients often have to quit their jobs and withdraw from their usual social activities. A recent study in fact found that fibromyalgia is harder to cope with than other rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and lupus.

You may think then that finally getting a diagnosis would be a positive turning point for these unfortunate individuals. A recent study however suggests that this is often not the case and the relief provided by a diagnosis is only temporary.

Researchers from the Department of Neurology, Buskerud Hospital Trust in Norway conducted interviews with eleven female fibromyalgia patients recruited from two local support groups. The purpose of the interviews was to obtain descriptions of the patient's experiences of the process of being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and the consequences of this diagnosis.

Researchers have reported that people with fibromyalgia appear to be less able to cope with symptoms of their illness than patients with other rheumatic conditions.

Attendees at an American College of Rheumatology meeting last weekend heard that fibromyalgia patients rated their coping ability significantly lower than people suffering from rheumatoid arthrities and other conditions according to data gathered from questionnaires and visual analog scales.

The presentation was given by Robert S. Katz, M.D., of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago who led a study to determine how patients with different rheumatic conditions cope with their symptoms.

Dr. Katz said: "The intensity of fibromyalgia syndromes can be overwhelming for the fibromylagia patient and their families, and also very challenging for physicians and nurses treating these patients."

New research suggests the pain experienced by people suffering from fibromyalgia is the result of a mismatch between parts of the brain and nervous system involved with the senses and those involved with movement.

The conclusion comes from a study conducted by researchers at the University of Bath and the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in the UK. The results of the study are published in the November issue of the journal Rheumatology.

The research team asked study participants to look at a reflection of one limb in a mirror whilst moving their other limb in a different direction which was hidden behind the mirror. The idea was to create a mismatch between what the brain sees though sensory input from the eyes and what it feels through the motor system that controls movement.

The procedure was then repeated without the use of a mirror so that results with and without sensory input could be compared.

A revealing survey of doctors won't make easy reading for fibromyalgia patients whose suffering is often dismissed.

Most people would probably assume that if they are sick then their doctor is there to help them as an impartial professional. Apparently this is not the case so you better make sure you develop an illness that your doctor feels is respectable.

The survey was carried out in Norway where doctors were asked to rank 38 different diseases according to the prestige with which they believe they are viewed with within the medical profession.

Patients suffering a heart attack, or from leukaemia, spleen rupture, brain tumour and testicular cancer can expect to be have their condition taken very seriously, which is as it should as these are all serious conditions.