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Fibromyalgia Community

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Mark Pellegrino, MD

Joined: 04/14/2010

Expert Profile:

Mark J. Pellegrino, MD, specializes in fibromyalgia and also suffers from the condition. He believes that his unique perspective as a physician-patient will help others better understand and deal with their fibromyalgia.

Pellegrino grew up in Canton, Ohio, and attended the Ohio State University for undergraduate school, medical school, and residency. He finished his four-year residency program in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) in 1988. PM&R is the specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions causing pain, weakness, and functional impairment, such as fibromyalgia.

During his training in PM&R, Pellegrino was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. As a result, he became particularly interested in this condition both from a personal and professional standpoint. He performed research and had several papers published in peer-reviewed journals on fibromyalgia, electrodiagnosis (an electrical test of nerves and muscles), and hearing impairment. The fibromyalgia papers included hereditary aspects of fibromyalgia, mitral valve prolapse and fibromyalgia, and atypical chest pain in fibromyalgia.

Over the years he has authored numerous articles and books on fibromyalgia. He published his first book in 1993. His 13th book on fibromyalgia is titled Fibromyalgia: Up Close and Personal. (www.ohiopainrehab.com/book-up-close.php) He says writing has been important therapy for managing his own fibromyalgia successfully.

Pellegrino practices medicine at Ohio Pain and Rehab Specialists, which provides a broad range of pain management and specialty services.
(www.ohiopainrehab.com)

His main interest has continued to be fibromylgia. Over the years he has seen more than 23,000 patients with this disorder. He says it is his quest to better the lives of those with fibromyalgia.

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Reply: Dr. P (And Others)---Advice, Please?

Hi mypityparty, Sorry you are feeling so bad. Keep working with your doctors....

Posted by Mark Pellegrino, MD

10 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Dr. P (And Others)---Advice, Please? Hi mypityparty, Sorry you are feeling so bad. Keep working with your doctors....

Reply: fibromyalgia

Hi Gobner, Sorry about being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. A common complaint...

Posted by Mark Pellegrino, MD

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:fibromyalgia Hi Gobner, Sorry about being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. A common complaint...

Reply: recovering alocholic with Fibromyalic like pain

Hi jacktgolf, I wanted to chime in here with a few thoughts. It would be...

Posted by Mark Pellegrino, MD

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:recovering alocholic with Fibromyalic like pain Hi jacktgolf, I wanted to chime in here with a few thoughts. It would be...

Reply: Dr. P and all, lidocaine iv infusion

Hi Deb, I'm sure your Pain Management Clinic will explain the suggested...

Posted by Mark Pellegrino, MD

4 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Dr. P and all, lidocaine iv infusion Hi Deb, I'm sure your Pain Management Clinic will explain the suggested...

Reply: Dr. Margaret And Anyone Else---Need Advice, Please...

Hi Angelswife, I've been asked to respond to your question on how to manage...

Posted by Mark Pellegrino, MD

11 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Dr. Margaret And Anyone Else---Need Advice, Please! Hi Angelswife, I've been asked to respond to your question on how to manage...

Reply: ? for Dr. P & community-active release therapy & m...

I bet your hunch is right: most of my patients who have researched fibro and...

Posted by Mark Pellegrino, MD

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:? for Dr. P & community-active release therapy & myofacial release I bet your hunch is right: most of my patients who have researched fibro and...

Reply: Fibro and Psoriasis (would appreciate doctor's r...

Hello, Psoriasis does not seem directly linked to fibro, but one can...

Posted by Mark Pellegrino, MD

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Fibro and Psoriasis (would appreciate doctor's response also) Hello, Psoriasis does not seem directly linked to fibro, but one can...

Reply: Dr. P - autonomic testing and link to FB?

Hi Scott, There is a known link between FM and autonomic nerve dysfunction or...

Posted by Mark Pellegrino, MD

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Dr. P - autonomic testing and link to FB? Hi Scott, There is a known link between FM and autonomic nerve dysfunction or...

Reply: muscle relaxers

Hi Ashley, Muscle relaxants can decrease pain in people with fibro. I have...

Posted by Mark Pellegrino, MD

12 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:muscle relaxers Hi Ashley, Muscle relaxants can decrease pain in people with fibro. I have...

Reply: Dr. P (And Others)---Advice, Please?

Dear Angelswife, So sorry you've had those leg injuries that put you at a low...

Posted by Mark Pellegrino, MD

Dear Angelswife,

So sorry you've had those leg injuries that put you at a low activity level. Hopefully your bones have healed. Any nerve damage needs to be evaluated. Your doctor may want to do nerve testing (called electrodiagnostic teating) to evaluate any nerve damage, and to determine if any damage is repairing itself.

Any nerve damage and associated weakness, numbess, or pain has to be factored into your PT program when planning your treatment goals.

You're right about overdoing it as a risk for fibro-flare, but don't assume you will automatically flare-up when you begin your PT program. Another risk for flares is "underdoing it" which you experienced when you had to lower your activity level after your fractures. Fibro doesn't like any change from what it's used to activity-wise, whether it's too much activity or too little activity, compared to the usual baseline. And with any change it doesn't like, it talks to us...painfully.

It sounds like you made it through the "underactivity" phase without a flare-up, so if that's the case so far, good job!

I believe the best way to reduce the flare-up risk when you begin to intrduce more activity into your fibro world is to progress your overall activity gradually with frequent rest /recovery periods.

Your PT prescription will already have this strategy built into it, even though it may not be specifically addressing your fibro. You will probably begin therapy gradually, 2-3 times a week, so you have rest days in between therapy. Your emphasis will be gradually regaining strength, stamina and ambulation abilities. Hopefully as you continue with your leg PT program, your fibro will be cooperative and "goes along" with the progress you will make.

It would be great if your physical therapist was knowledgable in fibro. Usually the PT script has to be written for only one problem at a time, in your case, for your leg injuries. But if your fibro should flare-up in areas other than your legs, then perhaps your PT would be able to incorporate some measures to address the fibro flare. There are restricitions based on treatment times, insurance coverage, number of areas/diagnoses treated that may limit what you can actually have done for a fibro flare while treating for your leg conditions.

But if you and your therapist are aware of all this, then I think your proactive strategy will enable you to quickly notice any percolating flare-up and take measures to comfort the affected fibro areas and hopefully prevent a full blown flare-up. Be thinking about modalities (such as heat, ice, electric stim, water), massage/soft tissue work, meds, stretches and anything that works for you.

Good luck with your reactivation project! Work with your doctors and therapists. I'm confident you will do great.

Dr. PView Thread

Posted byMark Pellegrino, MD

10 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Dr. P (And Others)---Advice, Please? Dear Angelswife, So sorry you've had those leg injuries that put you at a low...

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