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Melissa Meszko says homeopathic treatments have eased her pain from fibromyalgia.

Not long ago, Melissa Meszko couldn't get out of her bed — much less make it.

Over 15 years, she's been told she has many different illnesses.

"They would tell me it was hormones, they would tell me it's arthritis," Meszko said. "I think they thought I was just nuts."

Meszko is among among the nearly four million people diagnosed with a group of mysterious symptoms known by the single name: fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic achiness, pain, exhaustion, insomnia, and brain fog. It is a condition some doctors believe is entirely psychosomatic, but others believe is simply unexplained.

"It's absolutely real; it's not in their head," said Dr. Kelly Boulden. After years of not knowing how to help patients, she now specializes in treating the condition at the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers in North Texas.

She sees women, mostly, who come for a last-ditch, desperate attempt at relief. Diagnosis is based, in part, on an examination of 18 tender points.

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Jennifer Cruze has found relief in alternative treatments.

Jennifer Cruze, a patient who has found answers and treatment at the center, says touching the tender muscles feels "like maybe if you had a bruise there, and you press a bruise."

Scientists don't know exactly what causes fibromyalgia, but Dr. Boulden believes there is a combination of three factors.

"We look for horomone imbalances," she said. "We look for underlying infections; we look for nutritional deficiencies. When we find those things, we tailor an approach."

That alternative medicine approach is drawing concern from mainstream doctors.

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Lyrica is the first drug approved for fibromyalgia pain.

Until recently, there was no treatment for fibromylgia. But, in the last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first drug for fibromyalgia pain, Lyrica.

Supplements, from Vitamin B complex to antivirals, probiotics, and high-dose vitamin infusions are also part of the therapy at the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Center in Fort Worth.

Those homeopathic treatments are unproven and are not covered by insurance.

Is that a legitimate treatment for fibromyalgia?

"No," said Dr. Roy Fleischmann, a widely published rheumatologist who practices at St. Paul Medical Center in Dallas, part of the UT Southwestern Medical Center system. Dr. Fleischmann specializes in arthritic conditions, which can include fibromyalgia.

"There is no scientific evidence at all that intravenous vitamins or any of those other homeopathic cures are of benefit," he said.

Dr. Fleischmann also warns that some high-dose therapies could even cause permanent damage.

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Melissa Meszko fights fibromyalgia pain with dietary supplements.

Melissa Meszko has gladly spent thousands of dollars out of pocket for her treatments. When nothing else worked for her, she says the homeopathic approach has helped.

"I'm back," asserts Meszko. "I'm not 100 percent, but I'm definitely good."

She feels so good, in fact, that she's sewing again.

"I did not have the energy to quilt, and now I'm trying all kinds of new designs."

And she is enjoying all the things that caused pain in the past.

Doctors who believe fibromyalgia is psychosomatic are careful to say that that doesn't mean the pain patients feel is not real. None of those doctors wanted to talk to News 8 on camera.

E-mail jstjames@wfaa.com