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Fibromyalgia (fie-bro-my-al-jia) is a common and disabling disorder. It is not a "new" illness. Originally called fibrositis, it was described with great acccuracy in the 1800's.

Fibromyalgia is an invisible illness. Those who have it do not look sick. Often the appearance of being healthy works against those with Fibromyalgia, causing doctors, therapists, and even family to doubt the sufferers complaints. Millions of people; men, women, and children alike, suffer with this illness.

People with Fibromyalgia Syndrome ache all over, sleep poorly, are stiff upon waking, and are tired all day.They are prone to headaches, numbness and tingling, memory and concentration problems, and a host of other disabling symptoms.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome may be inherited and can run in families. It may not appear until triggered by extreme stress, injury, illness, or protracted sleep disturbance.

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia or FMS, as I will refer to it, is a diagnosis of exclusion. In other words, the physician must rule out all other diseases or syndromes such as Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and others, before concluding that you may have Fibromyalgia.

There are no blood tests, x-rays or any other special tests to diagnose FMS. The only current and reliable way to confirm FMS is by a "Tender Point" exam.

*The 18 Tender Points

In order to meet the FMS Diagnostic Criteria, a person must have:

Widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum of three months.
At least 11 of the 18 specified Tender Points (see diagram).

Fibromyalgia Syndrome is NOT a psychiatric or psychosomatic illness. It is however, a very painful and debilitating illness.

Besides chronic and debilitating fatigue, people like me who have FMS, also suffer with a host of other disturbing and aggravating conditions.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is particularly difficult to deal with. Two of my on-line friends call it the "Inconsiderate Bowel Syndrome". IBS causes cramping, alternating constipation and diarrhea, and pain. It can be worse in the morning, causing the sufferer to have to rush to the bathroom many times. Once other diseases such as Crohn's and Colitis are ruled out, the IBS sufferer must try to increase their fiber, water intake, and of course as always, reduce their stress levels.

Restless Leg Syndrome describes legs that are in constant motion. They feel like the skin is "crawling", or that they need to be moved constantly. This can drive a spouse up the wall, especially at night. It often requires the sufferer to get out of bed and pace the floors to obtain some relief.

Female Urethral Syndrome or Irritable Bladder, may cause frequent and painful burning urination. It mimics a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), but no infectionn is involved. Soaking in a warm tub can help, as well as drinking lots of fluids. Cranberry juice can be helpful.

Mitral Valve Prolapse is another condition often accompanying FMS. It may cause you to feel short of breath, anxious, sweaty and lightheaded. You may feel like you are having a heart attack, and you may experience a Panic Attack. Because the heart is a muscle and composed of fibrous tissue, the mitral valve becomes floppy, allowing blood to flow backward. This flopping is the fluttering you may feel. Sometimes cardiac medications may be prescribed if the symptoms become problematic.

Raynaud's Phenomenon is a syndrome which causes extreme pain to the extremities when exposed to cold. The toes and fingers may become blue, and there may be pain and numbness. People with Raynaud's must be careful to dress appropriately in cold weather. Wearing gloves when getting something out of the freezer can help, as well as, wearing rubber gloves when handling cold foods such as raw hamburger.

Cognitive problems are another problem people with FMS encounter. "Fibrofog" can be very upsetting. We may become lost in familiar surroundings, have trouble getting out known words when speaking, called dysnomia, we may over or under dose ourselves with medication, and we may have memory loss and a decrease in IQ.

The Alpha-Delta Sleep Anomaly, causes the FM sufferer the inability to obtain the needed Stage 4 sleep required for muscle and bone rest and repair. People with this problem never stay in the most important stage of sleep, they are jerked out of it. Some are jolted awake many times each night. Sleep becomes erratic and disjointed causing morning fatigue and stiffness. Many sufferers wake up with the comment: "I feel like I have been run over by a truck."

People with Fibromyalgia may also suffer with PMS, Hypothyroidism, Hypoglycemia, Ear and Hearing problems, TMJD, and Fibrocystic Breast Disease. Endometriosis and Adhesions are other problems that may occcur in Fibromyalgia.

Depression may occur in the FMS sufferer. Dealing with constant pain, fatigue, medical and media disbelief, and family pressures may cause depression. Depression DOES NOT cause Fibromyalgia. It is a symptom that may occur with this disease. Not everyone with FMS has depression, and this illness is not psychosomatic. It is a real and painful disorder.

Please consult my Links page to learn more about the symptoms and problems associated with Fibromyalgia.

You are visitor # since February 12, 1998.

*From Wolfe F, Smythe HA, Yunus MB, Bennett RM, Bombardier C, Goldenberg DL, et al. The American College of Rheumatology 1990 Criteria for the Classification of Fibromyalgia: Report of the Multicenter Criteria Committee. Arthritis Rheum 1990;33:160-72. Used by permission of the American College of Rheumatology.

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