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I'm a newcomer on the scene for fibromyalgia. I understand it's a diagnosis that's been around for awhile. What can you tell me about it to catch me up with everyone else who's got it?
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Fibromyalgia, a common painful disorder among women in their middle years (40 to 60 years old) is no longer considered a "disease" but rather a syndrome. The term "syndrome" is used to represent a group of symptoms that tend to occur together either at the same time or in close proximity to one another.
Sometimes fibromyalgia is referred to as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The most common symptom is widespread pain throughout the body, with especially tender spots near certain joints.
Pain and stiffness concentrate in spots such as the neck, chest, shoulders, elbows, knees, buttocks, and lower back. The tender spots don't seem to be inflamed. The pain stops people with fibromyalgia from functioning normally, partly because they feel exhausted most of the time. Most tests show nothing out of the ordinary in the anatomy of people with fibromyalgia.
At one time, there was a strong suspicion that the symptoms of fibromyalgia were psychosomatic -- the result of stress and "all in the head" of affected individuals. But scientists have come a long way since then in unraveling the mystery behind this complex condition.
Right now, the main theory is that FMS occurs when something goes hay wire in the nervous system. That something may be what's called central sensitization syndrome. It means the nervous system is ramped up to react too soon, too often, and for too long.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic (meaning long-lasting) condition that usually requires many years of treatment. It can occur along with other forms of arthritis or all by itself. It can occur after an injury or out of the blue. When fibromyalgia occurs alone, it is referred to as primary fibromyalgia. If it's not the main problem, but rather caused by something else (e.g., thyroid problems, cancer, arthritis, Lyme disease), then it's called reactive fibromyalgia.
Folks who have fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) often have certain triggers that seem to bring on (or increase) symptoms. The triggers vary from person to person but may include degenerative (spinal) disc disease, headaches (all kinds), irritable bowel syndrome, reflux (heart burn), trigger points of the muscles, and poor posture. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder also seem to be linked with FMS. Having a bipolar illness increases the risk of developing fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) dramatically.
About 80 percent of all fibromyalgia patients report serious problems sleeping. Because fibromyalgia is so strongly connected to sleep disturbance, in some cases it is possible that the sleep disturbance may be a major contributing factor. In fact, studies have produced fibromyalgia-like symptoms in healthy adults by disrupting their sleep patterns.
That all sounds a lot of bad news. The good news is that with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, you can get your symptoms under control quickly and protect your ability to perform daily functions and activities.
There are many treatment choices. Your doctor will help you navigate those waters and find the right combination of options that work the best for you. Many people find it extremely helpful to join a support group. Those who have gone down this path ahead of you can offer some useful tips to save you time, money, and the aggravation of making the mistakes they made in finding the kind of care they needed.
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*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. |
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