Fibromyalgia, a mysterious debilitating syndrome, is taking an increasing toll on our population. It is characterized by the constant presence of widespread pain so severe that it is often incapacitating. In the U.S., 3 to 6 million people may be afflicted by its symptoms. It is estimated that 15% to 20% of patients seen by rheumatologists have fibromyalgia. The condition bears a striking resemblance to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and mainly affects women aged 25 to 50 years.

The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread musculoskeletal pain, severe fatigue, and disturbed sleep. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons – the soft fibrous tissues in the body. Most patients with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they were pulled or overworked. Sometimes fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle twitches and burning sensations. For me, the burning feels like a fever in my hands, feet, and joints. More women than men are afflicted with fibromyalgia, and it shows up in people of all ages. A conservative estimate of its prevalence is 2% of the general population, but it may be as high as 3-5%. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (MCS), myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), and other conditions form a family of overlapping syndromes. For me the CFS began when I was an undergraduate. It got worse. Then, I was diagnosed with FMS in 2003 at the Rehab Institute of Chicago, but in 1997 I was hospitalized because of pain and fever of mysterious origin. It took us six years to figure out what I had. FMS is horrible and debilitating and hard to diagnose. But don't give up because you're not crazy, you're not depressed, and you're not a liar. Although the cause is not known, there appear to be many triggering events that often precipitate its onset. For me, it may have been both a bacterial and viral syndrome that knocked me down in the early 90's.

I have suffered on and off with it for about twn years. It is pain in the tissues and muscles, sometimes so severe as to make you cry. It is a by product of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome I have.

Its a debilitating chronic and painful illness. Here is some more info: http://www.myfibro.com

Primary Fibromyalgia Symptoms The main or primary symptoms of fibromyalgia are: Chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain This means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, described by sufferers as stabbing and shooting; with deep muscular aches, throbs and twitching, and can pop up on any part of the body. Fatigue This means fatigue that is so pronounced that it is almost incapacitating, such that limbs feel like they have weights attached to them. Disturbed sleep This may mean one of a number of different sleep disorders, such as alpha-EEG anomaly, sleep apnea, bruxism (grinding the teeth) or restless leg syndrome (RLS) Common Fibromyalgia Symptoms Other symptoms reported by those suffering from fibromyalgia include the list below. Keep in mind that symptom severity differs from person to person and not everyone with fibromyalgia will experience one, a few or all these symptoms: Headaches Migraines and tension headaches affect about 70% of patients Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Between 40 and 70% of patients suffer from constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas, and nausea. The ?Fibro Fog? Technically called discognition, the ?Fog? is a common symptom, causing confusion, memory problems, an inability to concentrate, and more. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ, or lockjaw) As many as one of every four patients suffer from TMJ, which causes severe pain in the jaw, face, and head. Some additional symptoms, reported with less frequency, include: * Pelvic pain * Sensitivity to noise and temperature * Anxiety and depression * Skin rashes and sensitivities * Dry eyes and dry mouth * Ringing in the ears * Raynaud's Syndrome (discoloration of the fingers and/or toes source: http://www.myfibro.com/fibromyalgia-symptoms

Fibromyalgia pain can be classified into two general areas: A history of widespread pain (present for at least 3 months) The ACR considers pain to be widespread when all of the following are present: * Pain in the left side of the body (including left shoulder and left buttock) * Pain in the right side of the body (including right shoulder and right buttock) * Pain above the waist * Pain below the waist * Axial skeletal pain (including cervical spine, anterior chest, thoracic spine or low back) Pain in at least eleven of eighteen sites on the body The doctor begins the exam, looking for pain?not tenderness?in eleven of eighteen different sites, known as tender points: * Both sides of the back of the head (?Occiput?) * Both sides at the front of the cervical spine at C5-C7 (Low cervical) * Muscles on both sides of the back of the neck (Trapezius) * Both shoulders near the rotator cuff (Supraspinatus) * Near both second ribs (the second rib is the second rib from the top of the rib cage) * Both outer parts of the elbow (Lateral epicondyle) * Both upper outer areas of the buttocks * Where both femurs meet the hips (Greater trochanter) * Both knees In the US, most often people are diagnosed with fibromyalgia in middle age, and the prevalence of diagnoses tends to increase with age. http://www.myfibro.com/fibromyalgia-pain

In 1990 the American College of Rheumatology presented the following criteria for classifying fibromyalgia, both of which need to be met in order to a patient to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Those two criteria are: * A history of widespread pain. * Pain in at least eleven of eighteen sites on the body This means that a physician is applying pressure with his or her hands to various parts of your body to determine your pain levels. http://www.myfibro.com/fibromyalgia-diagnosis

It is a dysfunction of the Central Nervous System. Some fibromyalgia patients also have Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in which a dysfunction of the immune system also plays a role. I have had fibromyalgia for over 14 years and CFS for 19 years. Please visit my blog for articles and to see life from my point of view! http://jenniferhasfibromyalgia.blogspot.com/ A great online community/support group for FM patients and supporters: www.wearefibro.org