An Invisible Illness

Fibromyalgia

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which a person has long term, body-wide pain and tenderness, in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.

CausesThe cause is unknown. Possible causes or triggers of fibromyalgia include:

• Physical or emotional trauma

• Abnormal pain response

• Sleep disturbances

• Infection, such as a virus, although none have been identified.

Fibromyalgia is most common in women between ages 20 and 50.

SymptomsPain is the main symptom of fibromyalgia. It may be mild to severe.

• Painful areas are called tender points. They can be on the back of the neck, shoulders, chest, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, and knees.

• The pain may feel like a deep ache or, a shooting, burning pain.

• The joints are not affected although it may feel like the pain is coming from the joints.

People tend to wake up with body aches and stiffness. Fatigued, depressed mood and sleep problems are seen in almost all patients. Other symptoms include IBS, memory and concentration problems, Numbness and tingling in hand and feet, reduced ability to exercise and tension or migraine headaches.

Signs and Tests

To be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you have to have had at least 3 months of widespread pain, and pain and tenderness in at least 11 of 18 areas:

• Arms (elbows)

• Buttocks

• Chest

• Knees

• Lower back

• Neck

• Rib cage

• Thighs

A urine test will come back negative but will test for other illnesses that may cause these symptoms.

TreatmentThere are many things you can do to help with the pain of fibromyalgia. The first type of treatment may be physical therapy, exercise or stress relief methods. If these methods don’t work your doctor may prescribe you an anti-depressant or muscle relaxer. The goal of treatment is to help relieve pain and other symptoms, and to help a person cope with the symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is a long-term disorder. Sometimes the symptoms improve. Other times, the pain may get worse and continue for months or years. The best advice is to get in contact with your doctor as soon as possible so you can get your pain care started.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001463/

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