Learning some quick facts about Fibromyalgia with this overview can help you better understand the condition. This is not an in depth report about FMS (Fibromyalgia Syndrome) but can be helpful for those who have been diagnosed with it, those who think they may have fibromyalgia, and for those who know someone with this painful condition but do not quite understand what exactly it is.
First of all, Fibromyalgia is not the new fad condition as it may appear to be. Since Lyrica was approved by the FDA to treat Fibromyalgia, it has gained much more attention than in the past. Medical reports of people with symptoms matching FMS date back centuries. Only in recent years has the condition been shown on television in advertisements and special reports. But, as mentioned before, it has been around and people have been suffering from it’s symptoms for centuries.
What is Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a specific and chronic widespread pain condition. It is non-inflammatory, non-progressive and non-degenerative. It is often called a “chronic invisible pain condition” or “invisible pain” because most who have it look fine, but internally they are in constant and sometimes severe pain.
It has been known by several names over the years such as chronic rheumatism, fibroitis, and myalgia. For a long time it was considered to be a psychological condition but intensive medical studies have proven Fibromyalgia is not a psychological condition. In 1987 the American Medical Association finally recognized the chronic invisible pain syndrome as a true physical illness and often a cause of disability. In the past decade the Social Security Administration has listed Fibromyalgia as a disabling condition and numerous people with FMS have been awarded disability benefits due to symptoms.
What are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
There are numerous symptoms and facts about Fibromyalgia. The following is not an all inclusive list of symptoms people with Fibromyalgia suffer from, but these are generally the most common. In other articles the symptoms of Fibromyalgia will be looked at in a more in depth analysis.
Widespread pain is generally the number one symptom of Fibromyalgia. The pain occurs on both sides of the body and there is no apparent reason to have the pain. This means if you are in a lot of pain but have not had an injury, illness, cancer or anything else to cause you to be in pain. The facts of Fibromyalgia would not be complete without mentioning that pain is caused by neurotransmitters sending false signals to the brain that the person is in pain.
Anxiety is another symptom of FMS but can also be caused by having the painful condition. It is understandable that if you are in chronic all over pain for no reason that you would be anxious. Having a chronic pain condition affects many aspects of your life and making plans is difficult when you do not know if you will feel “up to it” when the event is scheduled. This can cause you to be worry a lot.
Fibro Fog is what many with Fibromyalgia refer to as their inability to concentrate. They literally feel like they are having foggy thinking. People with fibromyalgia may display this symptom (especially during a Fibro Flare ) by flubbing their words, repeating the same sentence, not remembering where items are that they generally would, and simply “not thinking straight”. In other words, people who experience concentration problems due to FMS feel like they are in a fog mentally.
Depression is another fact of Fibromyalgia to understand. This is a symptom of FMS that so many have. In the past doctors and experts believed that Fibromyalgia caused depression. It is now known universally that the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown but that many people who have the widespread pain condition experience depression as a result of having it.
Fatigue is often a universal symptom of FMS with good reason. Being in pain is very trying on the body and very tiring. Most with the condition find it difficult to sleep because they are in pain. Lack of sleep leads to fatigue. Being fatigued but unable to sleep often leads to anxiety and depression and is one of the most common facts about Fibromyalgia.
Headaches are often a part of having this chronic pain condition. Fibromyalgia is a systemic widespread pain condition and affects many parts of the body; internally and externally.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome often go hand-in-hand. Many people with IBS have FMS as well.
Morning Stiffness is a complaint most with Fibromyalgia have. It may take someone with it thirty minutes or more of stretching in bed before they finally are able to get out of bed.
Sleep problems are notorious for Fibromyalgia patients for several reasons. Studies have shown that those with chronic pain generally do not receive enough restorative sleep. They do not enter or stay in the delta sleep cycle long enough for their body to restore itself like those without the condition. If you have this widespread pain condition you may sleep, but the sleep you get may not be a restful sleep and you wake up feeling tired. It is also often hard to fall asleep for people with FMS because they are in pain.
Tender points are a symptom of Fibromyalgia. These areas of the body, when touched, are tender and painful. Tender points are how most doctors diagnose Fibromyalgia. The practice of testing tender points originated from clinical studies about FMS but is often used by doctors to diagnose the condition. The doctor will press 18 specific areas on the body. To be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia the doctor’s evaluation will have to prove that the person has at least 11 of the 18 specific tender points on their body. This fact about Fibromyalgia is important to know. If you think you have Fibromyalgia you should ask your doctor to perform this quick and easy evaluation.
What is the Cure for Fibromyalgia
Currently there is not a cure for Fibromyalgia, however, there are many treatment options for the symptoms of the condition that tend to help. Use of medications, therapies, diet changes, and routine changes have helped many with FMS to cope better with the pain and other symptoms of Fibromyalgia.
This overview of Fibromyalgia is just the first step in your journey of learning about Fibromyalgia. If you have it, think you have it, or know a family member with the widespread pain condition it is in your best interest or theirs to learn as much as you can about Fibromyalgia. Even though this invisible chronic pain condition has been around for centuries, doctors and researchers are still learning more and more new information about it and releasing new facts about Fibromyalgia.
Sources
Devin Starlanyl, M.D. http://www.fmsow.ca/dsphysio.htm
Fibromyalgia http://homepages.sover.net/~devstar/
SSDI for Fibromyalgia http://www.fmpartnership.org/Files/Website2005/Learn%20About%20Fibromyalgia/Articles/NOSSCR.pdf
