I'm getting a little confused as I read one person mention that fibro is an auto immune disease. My daughter had been through so many tests and we were told by one doctor that she has been tested for auto immune diseases but tests were not positive. Is fibro actually a symptom of another disease or is it that so many symptoms of other diseases is what actually causes the fibro?
No, fibro is NOT an auto immune disease. I've had it 19 years now and when I first started it was considered auto immune. There are a lot of theories at this time, none are proven. Currently the leaning is toward a "nerve" cause. Hopefully, they will continue to research and find the underlying cause which then could lead to a cure!I find that every system of the body is involved. This leads to multiple symptoms and the worse part is the symptoms differ in severity day to day or even hour to hour. Hardest for the ones treating us, it seems to act differenlyt for each on of us past a couple of basics. Grrrrrrrr!
@A MyFibroTeam Member. Yes, that is also one of the theories. It's related to a neurotransmitter called Substance P. There are also theories related to the neurotransmitter Serotonin. Oh, another new theory I just read is that it's caused by nerves in the hand. Hmmmm? At least there is research going on now and hopefully there will at least come better medications down the road, and finally a cure!!
Thank you for clearing that up for me Dawn! I also was under the impression I had an auto immune disease! Your post was much appreciated. Grrrrrrrr is right! Your explanation was bang on my dear!
I've heard recently they're thinking it may be related to the brain. Something like misreading pain sensors.
There is a genetic component to it which means that there's something wrong with one of the processes in our brain/bodies. It still could be autoimmune if this genetic defect somehow is tricking our bodies to attack itself. FM symptoms are so identical to other autoimmune diseases like lupus, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, inflammatory bowel disease, I wouldn't be surprised if they do find that there is a autoimmune component to it.