What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain illness characterized by:
widespread musculoskeletal aches,
pain and stiffness,
soft tissue tenderness,
general fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
The most common sites of pain include:
the neck, back, shoulders, pelvic girdle, and hands,
but any body part can be affected.
(my whole body is affected-I even thought I was having a heart attack once!)
Fibromyalgia patients experience a range of symptoms
of varying intensities that wax and wane over time.

* Pain
The pain of FM is profound, widespread and chronic.
It knows no boundaries, migrating to all parts of the body and varying in intensity.
FM pain has been described as stabbing and shooting pain and deep muscular aching,
throbbing, and twitching.
Neurological complaints such as numbness, tingling, and burning
are often present and add to the discomfort of the patient.
The severity of the pain and stiffness is often worse in the morning.
Aggravating factors that affect pain include:
cold/humid weather,
non-restorative sleep,
physical and mental fatigue,
excessive physical activity,
physical inactivity,
anxiety and stress.
The treatment of FM is frustrating for both patients and their physicians.
In general, drugs used to treat musculoskeletal pain,
such as aspirin, non-steroidals (e.g. ibuprofen), and cortisone,
are not particularly helpful in this situation.
* Fatigue
In today's world many people complain of fatigue;
however, the fatigue of FM is much more than being tired.
It is an all-encompassing exhaustion that interferes
with even the simplest daily activities.
It feels like every drop of energy has been drained from the body,
which at times can leave the patient with a limited ability
to function both mentally and physically.
* Sleep problems
Many fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep disorder
that prevents them from getting deep, restful, restorative sleep.
Such sleep problems include:
sleep apnea,
restless legs syndrome,
and teeth grinding.
Medical researchers have documented specific and distinctive abnormalities
in the Stage 4 deep sleep of FM patients.
During sleep, individuals with FM are constantly interrupted
by bursts of awake-like brain activity,
limiting the amount of time they spend in deep sleep.
* Other symptoms
Additional symptoms may include:
irritable bowel and bladder,
headaches and migraines,
restless legs syndrome (periodic limb movement disorder),
impaired memory and concentration,
skin sensitivities and rashes,
dry eyes and mouth,
anxiety,
depression,
ringing in the ears,
dizziness,
vision problems,
Raynaud's Syndrome,
neurological symptoms,
and impaired coordination.

There is currently no generally accepted cure for this condition.
According to recent research,
most patients can expect to have this problem lifelong.
However, worthwhile improvement may be obtained with appropriate treatment.
Patients with fibromyalgia do not become crippled with the condition,
nor is there any evidence it affects their lifespan.
Nevertheless, due to varying levels of pain and fatigue,
there is an inevitable contraction of social, vocational,
and avocational activities that leads to a reduced quality of life.

About 20 percent of FM patients have a co-existing depression or anxiety state
that needs to be appropriately treated with therapeutic doses of anti-depressants
or anti-anxiety drugs often in conjunction with the help of a clinical psychologist
or psychiatrist.
Basically, patients who have a concomitant psychiatric problem
have a double burden to bear.
They will find it easier to cope with their FM
if the psychiatric condition is appropriately treated.