RYE photographer and plasterer Anthony Opitz has lived under a shadow of pain and physical restriction for more than 25 years.
The shadow was lifted earlier this year when a diagnosis finally established Mr Opitz suffers from fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
The news ended years of what he describes as "running the gauntlet of all sorts of medical specialists who treated my symptoms without knowing their cause" including being prescribed medications that had extreme adverse effects. Mr Opitz blames his fibromyalgia on an alleged assault that occurred in Sorrento in 1983 when he says he was attacked by a hotel bouncer and thrown down a slope onto a footpath.
He sustained two prolapsed disks, a shattered vertebrae and "a multitude of soft tissue injuries". He says the disease nicknamed 'fibro' affects 3-5 per cent of Australians, with women nine times more likely to be affected than men.
"Fibro affects many aspects of your life and the symptoms are often misdiagnosed," he said.. "The keys to my diagnosis were a very caring and determined doctor and the research I did on the internet.
"The doctor was prepared to listen to me and act on the information I obtained."
Mr Opitz says he was greatly relieved when test results received from a rheumatologist confirmed fibromyalgia and CFS. He is going public with his personal difficulties to let people know about International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day on May 12.
"Knowing you are crook but not knowing why is the ultimate test of character," he said. "It was a process of elimination to uncover my real problem, but it has taken 25 years and I have to confess that at times the condition did not bring out the best in me."
Mr Opitz said he was one of the lucky people to have found the right medical professionals to help him cope with the condition.
"As a single father for the past 15 years, it has been an uphill struggle, but I have had fantastic support from friends and the broader community, including home help through Mornington Peninsula Shire's complex care program. Doing tai chi and physiotherapy has also helped and Rosebud Hospital staff have been fantastic during what I call my 'fibro lock-ups' – when he is admitted to hospital to receive treatment for extreme symptoms. Mr Opitz hopes the awareness day will lead to more people being correctly diagnosed and more research into its causes, treatment and cures.
"Conquests in medicine are ongoing and the more that is understood about this disorder and the way it affects people, the quicker better treatments and eventually a cure will be found."
ABOUT FIBROMYALGIA
FIBROMYALGIA is a name given to a group of symptoms marked by generalised pain and muscle stiffness, states Arthritis Victoria.
The symptoms can be felt in different areas of the body.
Extreme fatigue and sleep problems are also common.
The condition does not cause inflammation or damage to the painful areas, but seems to be due to an overactive pain system.
The most common symptoms are:
■ Pain – usually aching, stiffness and tiredness of muscles. Pain may be worst after rest (for example, first thing in the morning) or after activity.
■ Extreme fatigue (tiredness), making it difficult to do normal daily activities.
■ Poor sleep.
■ Problems with concentration and memory.
■ Irritable bowel (diarrhoea, stomach pain).
It is not known what causes fibromyalgia. It may be triggered in some people by an illness, such as a virus; pain and/or stress from an injury or accident, or emotional stress and depression.
Fibromyalgia can be very difficult to diagnose. It does not cause any inflammation or damage. Even the painful muscles have been shown to look and function normally. As such there are no blood tests, X-rays or scans that can test for fibromyalgia.
A doctor or rheumatologist (arthritis specialist) will look for a number of signs that are typical of fibromyalgia. These include widespread pain for more than three months and 'tender points', which are areas on the body that are abnormally sore to touch.
For details about International Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, call Arthritis Victoria on 8531 8000 or email afv@arthritisvic.org.au
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