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[N191]New Hope For Kids

by J. Wes Tanner, Md, J.

Fibromyalgia is the migraine syndrome gone haywire. Treatment has to be directed toward controlling the migraine syndrome. Controlling the migraine syndrome can lead to a cure for fibromyalgia! That’s right; I said a cure for fibromyalgia is possible! I have had so many patients have their fibromyalgia resolve that I am optimistic that I can really make a difference in the quality of life. At a minimum, marked improvement should be expected. There are always exceptions in medicine, but they are rare.

Fibromyalgia is traditionally defined as a syndrome which may feature constant pain, fatigue, sleep loss, headache, TMJ, restless legs, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, irritable bowel, bladder symptoms, memory impairment among other complaints over a period of time. Physical exam of a fibromyalgia patient reveals tender points or what we call “trigger points." There are 18 specific trigger points to be examined. Eleven out of eighteen tender trigger points are required for diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The overall consensus is that the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. Maybe it is an autoimmune disorder or a strange rheumatological illness. A number of headache specialists, me included, have quite a different idea and solution.

Fibromyalgia is a neurological condition! It is estimated that up to 6% of the population suffers from fibromyalgia. Basically, it is the migraine syndrome gone haywire. The 18 trigger points are, in fact, points of allodynia (painful response to things that are usually painless) in select sites over the body. Allodynia is a hypersensitive response from the brain to the nerves involved. These painful sites, or trigger points, probably result from cell injury and cell death occurring in the periaqueductal gray matter in the brain. This brain tissue normally modulates sensation and tells the rest of the brain that this touch sensation is not painful. As the cells become sick and die, they fail to modulate the sensation, and the sensation is perceived as being painful. This condition worsens over the years and is a progressive phenomenon. A person can tolerate losing some brain cells, but in the long run it takes its toll. Unless measures are taken to reverse the process, impairment and disability get worse. To find out more, go to http://www.migrainesyndrome.net.

Treatments for Trichotillomania are both behavioral and pharmacologic. Medications have been variably beneficial, and work in select cases, but certainly not in the majority. Research studies tend to substantiate this. Isolated reports of success exist with a large number of medications, including SSRI antidepressants (ie Prozac, Paxil, Celexa …); Buspar, among others. Larger studies have not substantiated the success of medications overall, in the treatment of hairpulling.Some success has been reported with cognitive-behavioral treatment. In clinical trials, a behavioral technique called “habit-reversal" training appeared to be effective. The treatment includes increasing awareness, developing new coping skills and new behaviors and maintaining motivation against hairpulling.

Recently, an educator who is also an ex-hairpuller, has introduced a program that has been well received by children who are hairpullers, and their families.

“Pull-Free, At Last! for Families™ by Abby Leora Rohrer, is a breath of fresh air for children who suffer from Trichotillomania, and their families.

For many children and their families, available treatments have been only partially effective or largely ineffective.

Abby Rohrer, from her own experience in recovering from hairpulling and from consulting with families of children with trichotillomania, has developed a meaningful and potentially very effective program for recovery.

Abby ‘walks the walk’. In her program, she connects deeply on an emotional level in ways that other programs have lacked. Parents will benefit from feeling the pain that their children are suffering with this compulsive habit. Just that ability to empathize with their children’s pain will help parents work through their own feelings of pain and frustration, and most importantly, to help empower their children to seek meaningful solutions.

Abby’s wisdom integrates dynamics of addiction recovery in helping facilitate recovery and transformation in families. Hairpulling in a child is most often a symptom of other family issues and dynamics. Yes, becoming free of hairpulling involves family transformation! Abby skillfully guides parents in both obvious and subtle ways to shift family dynamics that support and empower each family member- and most especially, the child who is hairpulling.

I appreciated Abby’s insights in connecting addictive behavior like hairpulling to abuses of power in the family system. I can recall cases where parents, who feel helpless in certain situations, overcompensate by overcontrolling other situations. Abby helps parents to help their children learn to make choices and become empowered.

Abby’s program for recovery from hairpulling constitutes a course of personal and family empowerment. This empowerment encompasses every area of life. Wonderful job, Abby!Abby Rohrer has a free parent guide available for download. You access it by signing up at www.parentsofhairpullers.com.

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About Author

Both J. Wes Tanner, Md & Mary F. Zesiewicz, Md are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

J. Wes Tanner, Md has sinced written about articles on various topics from Migraine Headaches, Fibromyalgia and Panic Attacks. J. Wes Tanner, MD is a family practice and headache specialist who has been treating people for about 30 years. He has extensive experience in treating migraines and fibromyalgia with excellent success. In Doctor, Why Do I Feel This Way?, Dr. Tanner. J. Wes Tanner, Md's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.

Mary F. Zesiewicz, Md has sinced written about articles on various topics from Parenting, Addictions and Cure Anxiety. Mary F. Zesiewicz, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer of INTEGRITY HEALTH SOLUTIONS, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to transforming health through research, education and consultation. To learn more, please visit:. Mary F. Zesiewicz, Md's top article generates over 1600 views. to your Favourites.