The fibromyalgia clinic at Dr. Hatem Eleishi Medical Center (DHMC):

About fibromyalgia:

Fibromyalgia is a common condition that results in diffuse aches all over the body in addition to memory/cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance and debilitating fatigue. Other symptoms that vary from one patient to the other including headaches, migraine, numbness, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder syndrome and intolerance to cold weather. The worldwide prevalence of fibromyalgia is more than 3 percent. This represents a really huge number of patients worldwide.

The start of the FBIROMYALGIA CLINIC at DHMC:

The rheumatology clinics at DHMC have been seeing a large number of fibromyalgia patients over the last few years. For that reason, DHMC decided to start a FIBROMYALGIA CLINIC in 2020. The clinic is run by consultants and experts who are have passion for fibromyalgia and who are dedicated to the management of patient with fibromyalgia. 

What do we do in the FIBROMYALGIA CLINIC at DHMC:

In the FIBROMYALGIA CLINIC at DHMC, patients will be seen by consultants who, in addition to their expertise in this entity, are great listeners to patients; they will listen to you and give you all the time you need to talk about your symptoms and express your feelings and sufferings associated with those symptoms. Our consultants are quite aware that fibromyalgia patients really suffer a lot of debilitating symptoms due to this condition. They understand that fibromyalgia patients need someone to listen to their complaints more than many other medical conditions.

Consultants at the FIBROMYALGIA CLINIC at DHMC will thoroughly assess patients and stratify them according to their categories of symptoms and associated conditions. Accordingly, they will decide which patient should preferably go for which kind of treatment. What does that mean? Fibromyalgia patients do not receive a standard one-size-fits-all management plan. There are different approaches to the management of fibromyalgia patients and it is important to know well which patient will benefit most from which kind of treatment modality or approach.

Services of the FRIBROMYALGIA CLINIC at DHMC:

The services provided to our patients at the FRIBROMYALGIA CLINIC at DHMC are:

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia: consultants will first confirm the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, a most important step in the management of course and will exclude other conditions that might mimic fibromyalgia like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, vitamin D deficiency, hypothyroidism, multiple sclerosis, ankylosing spondylitis and a list of other conditions.

 

Thorough medical education: our patient is most important partner in the treatment plan and well-informed and educated patients always have better treatment outcomes than patients who have little info about the condition. 

 

Lifestyle instructions and modifications: our doctors and physiotherapists will instruct patients into lifestyle changes. Patients can also refer to our regular publications on our website (drhatemeleishi.com) and our social media channels that educate patients about fibromyalgia.

 

Life coaching: sometimes life coaching and some time-management skills and re-planning is the most important thing that a patient will need.

 

Psychological support and consultation: psychological support for patients with fibromyalgia is especially needed for stress management and for regaining confidence and autonomy.

 

Psychiatric consultation if needed: this is needed in patients with depression, anxiety and personality disorders.

 

Rehabilitation and physiotherapy: session that involve stretching and management of tender points and improving the aerobic fitness with low impact aerobics. Aqua therapy also has a special place in the management of patient with fibromyalgia.

 

Massage sessions: different types of massage work for fibromyalgia patients but not all types though.

 

Yoga sessions: they offer dramatic improvement if prescribed for the right patient.

 

Minimally invasive pain management procedures: some patients will be referred to our ultrasound and interventional rheumatology clinic for local injections or other procedures where needed.

 

 

Biofeedback sessions: not so famous but still quite effective for some patients too

 

Diet therapy: diet modifications and omission and additions of certain foods have saved a lot of patients the burden of more symptoms of fibromyalgia.

 

Medical prescriptions: different types of medications that are FDA-approved can be prescribed to patients.

 

Supplements: certain types of supplements are also recommended for patients with fibromyalgia.