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Anxiety - Stress - Trauma (continued)
In some patients with FM, such negative emotional, motivational, and cognitive
stressors may dominate the clinical picture, potentially leading to a
self-sustaining neuroendocrine cascade that contributes to flu-like symptoms,
depressed mood, fatigue, myalgias, cognitive difficulties, and poor sleep. The
important biologic elements here include proinflammatory cytokines, the HPA axis,
other neuroendocrine axes, and the autonomic nervous system. Growth-hormone
abnormalities are also thought to contribute to symptomatology in FM.
Pain in patients with FM derives partly from a generalized decrease in the pain
perception threshold, reflecting discrimination of a nociceptive quality from
a nonnociceptive quality (eg, touch, warmth, cold), and in the threshold for
pain tolerance, reflecting an unwillingness to receive more-intense stimulation.
These phenomena can be demonstrated clinically by pressure algometry (dolorimetry) or
in research settings with quantitative sensory testing (QST) using pressure, heat,
cold, or electricity as stimuli. Underlying these changes in thresholds is
altered processing of nociceptive stimuli in the CNS (central sensitization).
Abnormalities in Pain Processing in FM Include:
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Excess excitatory (pronociceptive) neurotransmitters (eg, substance P, glutamate
levels in the insula)
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Low levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters (eg, serotonin and norepinephrine)
in descending antinociceptive pathways in the spinal cord
-
Maintained enhancement of temporal summation of second pain.
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Altered endogenous opioid analgesic activity in several brain regions known to play
a role in pain modulation, and (5) dopamine dysregulation, among others.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)
High throughput genotyping is rapidly identifying a series of single
nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotypes that influence neurotransmitter levels
and receptor levels in the brain that contribute to the various abnormalities in
pain processing. Such SNP haplotypes constitute vulnerability elements in
the development of FM and other central sensitivity syndromes. Pharmacologic agents
known to be effective in reducing pain in FM function in this regard by either
increasing levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters (eg, duloxetine) or decreasing levels
of excitatory neurotransmitters, in turn increasing levels of substance P (eg,
gabapentin or pregabalin). Because FM is a polygenic syndrome
with multiple different underlying genetic polymorphisms, genetic testing to tailor
therapy and to predict response to therapy will soon become available.
The HPA Axis and Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia (FM) can be broken down into five causal subtypes. All five subtypes have one
important thing in common; they all result in Hypothalamus Pituitary Adrenal Axis (HPA
Axis) dysfunction. The HPA Axis controls most hormone levels in our bodies. The result of
HPA Axis dysfunction is hormone level irregularities. Because most of the hormones in our
bodies are very finely regulated, the end result is a system in chaos.
The diagram to the right represents how the HPA axis works: The central nervous system
sends signals via the spinal cord and brain to the hypothalamus. These signals tell the
hypothalamus important messages about the body, such as the need for more blood
circulation, sexual stimulation, amount of light outside, and many more. The hypothalamus
then responds to these messages by stimulating the body to perform necessary functions,
such as speed up the heart to circulate more blood when exercising.
The hypothalamus also releases a hormone (corticotropin releasing hormone, or CRH) that
stimulates the pituitary gland to go to work. The pituitary gland, located just above the
roof of the mouth and behind the nose, controls the release of a number of hormones. A few
important ones include:
- Human Growth Hormone (HGH) - important for muscle recovery and immune function
- Thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) - "turns on" thyroid gland
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) - stimulates adrenal glands to release
cortisol
ACTH from the pituitary gland stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol.
Cortisol plays an important role in the symptoms of most FM and CFS/ME sufferers.
The Vicious Cycle of Fibromyalgia
In FM sufferers, the HPA Axis is disrupted. This results in system‐wide hormone
irregularities. The following diagram breaks down the pattern of disruption:
The above cascade of events is unofficially referred to as the vicious cycle of
fibromyalgia. The causal event results in decreased signals to the hypothalamus. When this
occurs, the entire HPA axis operates at a lower level. The result is many of the symptom
of FM. Once this vicious cycle begins, it loops back and continues to make matters worse.
This is part of the reason why FM sufferers continue to degrade.
The vicious cycle of fibromyalgia has many negative consequences. The following
are some of the deleterious effects of each stage of the cycle:
-
Central sensitization occurs when sensory organs of the body become oversensitive,
causing an increased response to painful stimuli. Hormone imbalances can initiate
sympathetic nervous system abnormalities, which result in central sensitization.
-
Decreased hypothalamus function results in a wide array of symptoms. Common symptoms
include sleep disturbances, decreased libido, sensitivity to cold temperatures, change in
appetite, poor digestion, balance and coordination problems, blood pressure abnormalities,
and heart rate abnormalities.
-
Decreased pituitary function leads to decreased thyroid function. This can cause
hypothyroid symptoms, such as fatigue and weight gain. Human growth hormone (HGH) is
decreased as well. HGH is released while you sleep, and is responsible for helping your
muscles recover from the damage done during the day. It also is important in immune
function.
-
Decreased adrenal function results in decreased cortisol. Cortisol imbalance is associated
with fatigue, depression, weight gain, and immune dysfunction. Since cortisol also
suppresses inflammation and cellular immune activation, reduced cortisol tends to
aggravate inflammatory responses.
Cellular Effects of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia has known negative effects on a cellular level. Most often, these negative
effects are the result of HPA Axis dysfunction.
Mitochondria Dysfunction
Studies show that there is mitochondrial dysfunction in most FM and CFS/ME sufferers.
Mitochondria are the energy factories for the cells, where sugar is burned and energy is
produced in the form of ATP (adenosine Triphosphate). Mitochondria can be poisoned by
numerous substances, including environmental toxins, pesticides, chronic bacterial, viral
and fungal infections, neurotoxins, and nutritional and hormone deficiencies.
When the mitochondria are not working properly the cells and tissues of the body are
starved for energy. This abnormality may be the common endpoint for all the dysfunctions
present in FM and CFS/ME. No sugar is burned resulting in weight gain, and no energy is
produced, resulting in fatigue, muscle pain, poor concentration, gastrointestinal
dysfunction, headaches, etc.
Cytokines
Cytokines are small secreted proteins which mediate and regulate immunity, inflammation,
and hematopoiesis (the development of blood cells). Abnormal cytokine levels are found in
many fibromyalgia sufferers. Research suggests this is secondary to the effects of
fibromyalgia. Factors that could contribute to cytokine abnormalities are other immune
problems, abnormal hormone activity, or sleep disturbances.
Natural Killer Cells
There is an increased risk of cancer in patients with widespread muscle pain. This is
likely due to these individuals having low natural killer cell function and/or numbers.
Over half of FM and CFS/ME sufferers have low natural killer cell numbers or activity.
The function of the natural killer cells (NKC) is to kill viruses and intracellular
bacteria. They roam throughout the body in search of infected cells to destroy. If the
natural killer cells are low in number (NKC number) or poorly functioning (NKC activity),
there is a diminished ability to fight infection, resulting in the inability to eradicate
chronic infections. NKCs also kill cancer cells in the body. Therefore low NKC numbers
cause increased risk for all types of cancer. Every FM and CFS/ME sufferer should know
both their NKC number and activity.
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