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Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia

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goodtoknow says: Fibromyalgia is a little understood condition that causes widespread 'tender spots' and throbbing pain in different parts of your body. It affects 1 in 100 people - more women than men - and usually starts in middle age. You'll also feel tired, have sleep problems and may get depression. Fibromyalgia has nothing to do with arthritis, although the pain can feel similar and is often worse first thing in the morning. Nobody knows what triggers fibromyalgia. It could be linked to a virus, or brought on by a stressful event or illness. Painkillers, physiotherapy and talking therapies can help. So can relaxation, massage and acupuncture.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of fibromyalgia from patient.co.uk, read on.

Fibromyalgia causes persistent pains and tenderness in many areas of the body, and tiredness. You may also have other symptoms. Symptoms may improve if you build up the amount of exercise that you do. Painkillers may not be very helpful. Low dose antidepressant medication may help.

What is fibromyalgia?

The word fibromyalgia means pain ('algia') coming from the muscles ('my') and fibrous tissues ('fibro') such as tendons and ligaments. Most people with fibromyalgia also have other symptoms in addition to the pains - see below. Therefore, fibromyalgia is sometimes called fibromyalgia syndrome, or FMS. It is a chronic (persistent) condition.

Fibromyalgia does not affect the joints, and is not an arthritis.

- Next: What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

More help and advice

- Tips on treating fibromyalgia
- One woman's story on how her memory was affected
- Tips on getting better sleep

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia? >

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All pages in this article

1. Fibromyalgia
2. What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
3. What causes fibromyalgia?

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jason wilmer

1:16 AM on 9 October, 2009

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i have recently been diagnosed with fms.it took me about 7 years to get a firm diagnoses.it started with the typical symtoms that fms seems to throw at you.pain flitting from joint to joint tingling pins and needles in hands and feet. whent to drs and had all the usual tests and nothing seems to show which is very frustrating.as this diesese progresses.the symptoms are endless to name just a few i have got puffy hands swollen ankles i get chronic neck shoulder lower back knee ankles elbows pain just about everywhere. beleive me no part of the body is immune from pain then there is the unusual symptoms that arise like ear problems that seem to continue even after surgery. i get face jaw head pain swollen lymph nodes tooth pain that continues even after a root filling then there is the feeling down and also the memory blanks that i can experiance daily. before diagnoses i did think what was wrong with me but since diagnoses it does all seem to fit into place. i do beleive it does help with having a diagnoses to understand what is actualy going on with my body.sometimes people do not think there is anything wrong with you because the pain is not visable. and you do not always mention when you have the pains as you would be forever telling your family constantly. and you feel like you are a hypocondriact. i now have my families support who now understand this awfull condition.

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Amy Burton,24 mum of 23month old

6:10 PM on 18 September, 2009

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i to had to endure numerous tests before i was refured to a very understanding specialist in rhumatology who gave me further tests then my diagnosis of fibromyalgia,he has further refured me to a pain management hospital for ongoing treatment and support(i havent been yet).i am currently too ill to work and have been out of work now 3 months due to my FM,the little energy i manage to saver is spent on my rather demanding wonderful 23 month old son,however most days i need help with looking after him and my home from my parents(im very lucky iv got them,they understand)returning to my job is at the moment out of the question so in order to hold the fort up im claimimg employment and support allowance,my problem is every few weeks im having to provide new sick notes as proof of illness(even tho iv been diagnosed)but can never see the same GP twice as they appear to be all locum doctors which means constantly re-explaining my who FM history and almost having to convince these sceptical doctors that i really am stuggling to cope with my home life let alone returning to work,on top of not having a single understanding GP i now have to attend a "fittness for work test" all the stress and presure of trying to prove i need the financial help is making my illness far worse,i dont know how ill even get to a fittness test let alone perform one.any advise on how to find a understanding doctor? please share xx thank you amy :)

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Angela Jordan

8:40 PM on 22 February, 2009

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I have had fibromyalia for 15 years now, it varies from day to day and can make me bed ridden. I continue to work self employed, when I am able and getting out and about and mixing with others takes my mind off myself. I assess health and social care in nursing and residential homes and have found others worse off then myself, this seems to inspire me to get going and keep going. I am over weight due to lack of exercise, my job takes me out of my car and then sat behind a desk for most of the day. I have sitting and standing tolerences and needs to move to avoid becoming stiff. I had an accident at work in 1993 which seemed to be the start of my symtoms, and gradually over the years the pain has varied around my body initially starting in my back. The brain fog leaves my memory poor and I take pleasure in nature and little victories. I have trigger point and use a massage called La Stones to help reduce pain. The heat of the stones penitrates deeper to relief stiffness and pain, I can recommend it. I look at eating healthy and remaining mobile, swimming was very useful but I have a 3 year old now and am not able to get as often as I would like. He is in nursery, I couldn't manage him all day every day, but he gives me hope and a reason to concertrate on the good things in life, so I am very lucky that I do not have depression. I did a course once called building on the positives, I have found this useful, to focus on the things that I have and not the things I have not. The home that I visit have elderly clients who advocate counting your blessing, I supose that what I've tried to do. Some days I win and other are more challenging, but I'm still in the game and that's what counts. I wish all of you all that have written here, well! We all have different stories, and all deserve to be heard,I have stopped looking for advice and started listening to me, I am lucky to have a very understanding Doctor, although I rarely visit, I rarely take my repeat prescription, and do what I can when I can, and listen to myself.

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diane

12:39 AM on 24 January, 2009

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hi im diane im 45 and i have been diagnosed with fibromylagia for about a year, i have been turned down for dla though this illness has severly disabled me, i have a appeal on monday and was hoping someone could give me some advice as to what i have to say or do, i wish they would put me under oath as i am not pretending i have a illness i am really ill so im not scared of telling them the truth what i am scared of is them not believing me.... any advice would be helpful xx

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Andy Streater

12:55 AM on 14 November, 2008

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I have had constant pain for over 20 years, I have always been told it's Arthritis, my last Orthopedic visit I was told it's Fibromyalgia. I have Butrans pain patches, which work better then codeine, Gabapentin, Baclofen to relax the muscles and Zopiclone to help me sleep. I am 43 now and unable to work, I had to quit about 5 years ago, because of the often intense pain and the extreme tiredness. I never sleep for more than 3 hours at night, generally 2 hours before waking in pain or sweats etc. I have burning sensations in my back and legs especially at night, numbness and tingling in many areas mainly my legs and feet. I find it very depressing especially since losing my wife 6 months ago, she used to cheer me up and keep me going. Because I look reasonably well when I go out people don't realise what I feel like, I don't go out when I'm very sick or tired it's too difficult, some doctors in the past have mis-diagnosed or tried to say it's mainly in my mind. It's a bit of a releif to finally know what's wrong, although my own GP has always supported me, just to know that other people also feel the same, I'm not the only one and I'm not crazy. Andy

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Graham K

6:49 PM on 18 October, 2008

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Hi My wife has been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and i am always being told i do not relise what she is going through i have read about it on many different sites and although i really understand the pain she must be going through i am finding hard to help her cope.has anybody got any advice

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noddy

5:52 PM on 10 August, 2008

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hi i got dianosed with soft tissue rhumatism last month could anyone tell me if its the same as fibro

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Anne Harborne

10:35 PM on 23 May, 2008

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I was formally diagnosed as having F.M.S 2 years ago but for the 4 years previously I had kept on saying to my husband 'I hurt all over' but could not really explain how I felt. I was relieved when I was told what was wrong as it confirmed that I was not imagining it. I have had to give up working as I cannot deal with the tiredness and pain, some days I really do not want to get out of bed. I am now on Incapacity Benefit and have applied for D.L.A but have been refused, I am appealing but I have been informed that it is unlikely that I will get it as they are trying to get people off these benefits. Fibromyalgia is a hidden condition, people cannot see it and therefore do not accept it.

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Vanessa Bigwood

7:53 PM on 23 April, 2008

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I was diagnosed last September with Myelodysplasia & Fibromyalgia at the same time, both illnesses have similar symptoms, so all the years I have been getting depressed, been in pain (I always used to take so much pain) but it is finally wearing me down, I take Co-codamol, I was taking them like sweets, I try not to take them now unless I am really struggling, also i take Amtitriptlene which does help me sleep I used to get at least 6 hours sleep, but it only seems to last for 4 now, also I feel fuzzy headed for the whole of the next morning. I am so tired, not sleeping etc, has all been because of this. I have just found a local Fibromyalgia group, rang the number and found a lovely helpful lady who has given me advice regarding Help and who to see, as my work has been affected, I struggle, I am constantly stressed, irritable and angry at work, cannot sleep because my legs hurt so much and am so tired. I have to have blood transfusions every 3 months for the Myelodysplasia, so I am going to CAB for advice tomorrow I now know I do not have to suffer in silence I can get help and also I am going to meet her and some other sufferers next week.

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nicola lawson

6:43 PM on 18 April, 2008

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hello my name is nicky and i thinnk i am depresed but i dont want to go to my doctors as i do not want to take medication i lost my grandad and my birthday was after his cremation and ever since then i feel not normal tierd not wanting to hear noise i just at a loose end my partner does not help i have to cook clean look after kids and i have had no time to take in the loss all i get is or you are ok you are strong i aint please can you help

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