Fibromyalgia (pronounced fi-bro-my-al-juh) syndrome has been described as the 'I hurt all over' complaint
It affects many areas of the body. Pain comes from connective tissues, ie muscles, tendons and ligaments (not the joints as in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis).
People have described the pain as deep-aching, radiating, gnawing, shooting or burning and ranges from mild to severe. More women than men are affected with fibromyalgia, but there is no apparent age group to which it is common.
Fibromyalgia is not a crippling disease nor is there any evidence that it affects the life span of the person. Nevertheless, due to the varying levels of pain and fatigue, the social and work life of the person is inevitably reduced in quality.
There is often concern that fibromyalgia is confused with more severe diseases such as multiple sclerosis or systemic lupus. Long-term research into Fibromyalgia has shown that it is very unusual for a patient to develop another rheumatic disease or neurological condition. However, it is quite common for patients with well-established rheumatic diseases to also have fibromyalgia.
Diagnosis of fibromyalgia includes a history of at least 3 months of widespread pain in at least 11 of 18 tender-point sites. These tender-point sites include tissues and muscles of the neck, shoulders, chest, rib cage, lower back, thighs, knees and arms (elbows).
It is becoming more common for sufferers of fibromyalgia to seek the help of complementary therapists. Because there is no accepted cure for fibromyalgia, pain relief and management are the most important aspects of treatment.
Learning how to relax and reducing your stress levels is beneficial. So are posture training methods such as the Alexander Technique. Pain management and relief can be enhanced by the use of acupuncture and acupressure. Osteopathy and chiropractic have also been found to help with chronic and acute pain. Counselling and advice on how to cope with pain and take charge of any painful condition is important for people suffering with fibromyalgia. The person can help themselves greatly by being actively involved in their own health care. By learning self-management techniques they will be able to handle their symptoms more effectively.
Improved fitness through exercise is recommended. The best way to begin a fitness program is to start with low impact exercises like walking and swimming. Starting slowly helps stretch and mobilize tight, sore muscles. High-impact aerobics and weight lifting could cause increased discomfort. Gentle stretching and light massage may help relieve symptoms, as will electronic acupuncture and relaxation techniques. Severe cases of fibromyalgia may require a referral to a pain clinic.
The following is a guideline only to common symptoms associated with fibromyalgia
Pain - The pain of Fibromyalgia has no boundaries. People describe the pain as deep muscular aching, burning, throbbing, shooting and stabbing. Quite often, the pain and stiffness are worse in the morning and a person may hurt more in muscle groups that are used repetitively. People with Fibromyalgia suffer chronic widespread pain often in areas such as the upper back, shoulders, neck, the low back, and other areas around the joints. Many people will say, "I hurt all over".
Fatigue - This symptom can be mild in some patients and yet incapacitating in others. The fatigue has been described as "brain fatigue" in which patients feel totally drained of energy. Many patients depict this situation by saying that they feel as though their arms and legs are tied to concrete blocks, and they have difficulty concentrating. Most people with Fibromyalgia complain of fatigue. It can be profound, interfering with all daily activities.
Sleep disorder - Most fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep disorder called the alpha-EEG anomaly. This condition was uncovered in a sleep lab with the aid of a machine which recorded the brain waves of a patient during sleep. Researchers found that fibromyalgia syndrome patients could fall asleep without much trouble, but their deep level (or stage 4) sleep was constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like activity. The sleep pattern for clinically depressed patients is distinctly different from that found in FMS.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Constipation, diahorrea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas and nausea represent symptoms frequently found in roughly 40% to 70% of fibromyalgia patients.
Chronic headaches - Recurrent migraine or tension-type headaches are seen in about 50% of fibromyalgia patients and can pose as a major problem in coping for this patient group.
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome - The syndrome, sometimes referred to as TMJD, causes tremendous face and head pain in one quarter of FMS patients. However, a 1997 report indicates that as many as 90% of fibromyalgia patients may have jaw and facial tenderness that could produce, at least intermittently, symptoms of TMJD. Most of the problems associated with this condition are thought to be related to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the joint and not necessarily the joint itself.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome - Sensitivities to odours, noise, bright lights, medications and various foods is common in roughly 50% of FMS patients.
Other common symptoms - Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea), chest pain, morning stiffness, cognitive or memory impairment, numbness and tingling sensations, muscle twitching, irritable bladder, the feeling of swollen extremities, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and mouth, frequent changes in eye prescription, dizziness, and impaired coordination can occur.
For further help and advice you can contact the Fibromyalgia Association at 7 Ashbourne Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH5 2JS, or visit their website at www.ukfibromyalgia.com