1. WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA?
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common form of generalized muscular pain and fatigue that is believed to affect approximately 2% of the U.S. population, or 5 million people. The name fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles and the fibrous connective tissues (the ligaments and tendons). This condition is referred to as a syndrome because it's a set of signs and symptoms that occur together. (A sign is what the physician finds on examination; a symptom is what a person reports to the doctor.) Fibromyalgia is especially confusing and often misunderstood because some of its symptoms may be found in other conditions.
2. SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
Pain
Pain is the most prominent symptom of fibromyalgia. It is generally felt all over, although it may start in one region, such as the neck and shoulders, and spread over a period of time. Fibromyalgia pain has been described in a variety of ways including: burning, gnawing, sore, stiff and aching. It often varies according to time of the day, activity level, weather, sleep patterns and stress. Most people with fibromyalgia say that some degree of pain is always present. They sense that the pain is mainly in their muscles, and often note that fibromyalgia feels like a persistent flu. For some people with fibromyalgia, the pain may be quite severe.
4. FATIGUE AND SLEEP DISTURBANCES
About 90 percent of people with fibromyalgia describe moderate or severe fatigue with lack of energy, decreased exercise endurance or the kind of exhaustion felt with the flu or lack of sleep. Often the fatigue is more of a problem and more troubling than the pain.
Most people with fibromyalgia experience an associated sleep disorder in which they wake up feeling unrefreshed or tired.
5. HOW IS FIBROMYALGIA DIAGNOSED?
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by the presence of widespread pain in combination with tenderness at most of the specific locations shown in Figure 1.
6. WHAT CAUSES OR TRIGGERS FIBROMYALGIA?
Many different factors, alone or in combination, may trigger fibromyalgia. For example, a number of stresses - such as an illness, physical trauma, emotional trauma or hormonal changes - may precipitate the generalized pain, fatigue and non-restful sleep, which characterize fibromyalgia.
Physical or emotional trauma could precipitate fibromyalgia in a number of ways. For example, a physical trauma such as an infection or flu, or being involved in a car accident or work-related injury, could lead to this syndrome. Also, people with fibromyalgia may become inactive and anxious about their health, further aggravating the disorder.
7. PROFESSIONAL CARE?
Many medical disciplines or specialties can aid in the diagnosis or care of Fibromyalgia. One very important specialist to contact is a doctor that is a rheumatologist ( doctor that practices on disorders made by inflammation, degeneration or metabolic degrangement of the connective tissue structures of the body, including joints, muscles, tendons and fibrous tissue.
In addition, symptoms of Fibromyalgia that occur after truma from a personal injury case must be brought to the attention of the injured victim's lawyer.