The Mayo Clinic reports 2-6% of school aged children in the U.S. have fibromyalgia. Conservatively, that means 14.8 million kids struggle with fibro fog, chronic pain and a host of other confusing and debilitating symptoms. Dr. Melissa Congdon joins us with the message that pediatric fibromyalgia is very treatable, meaning you and your child can enjoy their time as children. Learn how getting an early diagnosis makes a huge difference in helping your child succeed at school, in sports and beyond.

Key Points

• Does your child wake up crying or feeling fussy without illness or a known cause?
• Does your child come home from school some days exhausted, some days not?
• Homework: Does your child have trouble remembering what they have studied for a test?
• Sports: Does your child perform well on some days, but on others they have trouble keeping up?
• If your child has a first degree relative with fibromyalgia, they are 8-1/2 times more likely to develop this syndrome themselves. Might your child have fibromyalgia?

About Dr. Melissa Congdon

Dr. Congdon practiced general pediatrics in Glendale and Mill Valley, California for 18 years until severe fibromyalgia symptoms forced her to retire from medical practice in 2008. Her diagnosis led her to a comprehensive study of the various treatment options for fibromyalgia. Using a combination of diet, exercise, acupuncture, supplements, medications, the guaifenesin protocol, and other modalities, she was able to return to medical practice in 2009, and chose to become a fibromyalgia consultant. She trained with fibromyalgia expert and author Dr. R. Paul St. Amand, Internist, Endocrinologist, and Associate Professor at the Harbor UCLA Medical Center.

Dr. Melissa Congdon is board certified in pediatrics, and sees children and adults in her fibromyalgia and pediatric consulting practice.

Links & Resources

• FibromyalgiaPodcast.com is the digital companion to this audio magazine, where you can find full show notes, links to the studies referenced in this episode, submit your questions for Tami Stackelhouse, and schedule a free consultation with a Fibromyalgia Coach.
• Get a free copy of Tami's book, Take Back Your Life: Find Hope and Freedom From Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Pain at FibromyalgiaPodcast.com/books.
• Dr. Melissa Congdon chose to focus on fibromyalgia medicine after her recovery from fibromyalgia symptoms, and caring for children is her first love. Dr. Congdon has 18 years of private practice experience as a board certified pediatrician, an undergraduate degree in psychology, and the experience gained in raising two children of her own. Dr. Congdon offers pediatric consultations to families and since 2009 has treated hundreds of adults and children with fibromyalgia. You can reach out to her at MelissaCongdonMD.com.
• Inspired by her fibromyalgia patients, Dr. Congdon produced a 30 minute documentary, "Fibromyalgia: Getting Our Lives Back—Success Stories on the Guaifenesin Protocol" which she has made available for free online for everyone to learn more about fibromyalgia and this treatment option.
• In 1999 Dr. St. Amand, an experienced endocrinologist and UCLA assistant clinical professor, published his effective protocol for reversing fibromyalgia, based on nearly half a century of research, including his own experience with the disease and that of hundreds of his patients. This third edition of the book offers the latest research and Dr. St. Amand's breakthrough program that uses guaifenesin, an inexpensive, safe, and increasingly available medication that can help reverse the disease. The authors have seen symptoms eliminated and normal living restored in an astonishing 95% of the pediatric fibromyalgia sufferers they treated with guaifenesin.
• We have designed a Symptom Observations worksheet to help you track your child's symptoms to make it easier to report during your visits with medical providers. Access all of our worksheets using this link.