What is Fibromyalgia (fye-bro-mye-AL-ja) ?
Fibromyalgia is a pain syndrome which is not due to tissue damage or inflammation, and is fundamentally different from rheumatic disorders and many other pain conditions. It is a chronic pain syndrome in the tendons, ligaments, and other fibrous connective tissues in the body. Doctors classify Fibromyalgia as a syndrome, which means it has a group of signs, symptoms and characteristics that occur together.
The question, “What is fibromyalgia?” is a complicated one that doctors and patients have been trying for decades to answer. It affects more than 6 million people in the United States.
Fibromyalgia is also considered a disorder causing aching muscles, tiredness, sleep disorders, and fatigue, associated with raised levels of the brain chemicals that transmit nerve signals neurotransmitters.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
- Cognitive and memory problems (sometimes called “fibro fog”)
- Trouble sleeping
- Morning stiffness
- Headaches
- Painful menstrual periods
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Numbness or tingling of hands and feet
- Temperature sensitivity
- Sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights
- Restless leg syndrome
- Widespread pain
- Fatigue
- Un-refreshing sleep
- Abdominal complaints
- Anxiety
- Depression
What types of pain do you feel with Fibromyalgia?
Everyone may describe their pain a little differently because of its intensity. However, the common descriptions of Fibro pain are:
- Burning
- Gnawing
- Radiating
- Shooting
- Dull deep aching
- Blunt jabs
- Cramping
- Grinding
- Lightening bolts
- Pulsating
- Tingling
- Throbbing
- Stabbing
How to help reduce the discomfort of Fibromyalgia pain
- Taking medicines as prescribed
- Moise heat and Massage
- TENS Unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
- Injections
- Hydrotherapy/laughter therapy
- Exercising
- Eating well
- Walking
- Bicycling
- Stretching
- Making work changes if necessary
If you are taking medications, it is good to consult the following resource for updates or questions you may have:
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Toll Free: 888–INFO–FDA (888–463–6332)
Website: http://www.fda.gov
For more information: The Painful Reality of Fibromyalgia
1 Comment
Expressing the Silence of Pain 
Thank you for LIKING my Symptoms page. A you know, there are more — we cannot name them all. It seems like everyday brings about a new symptom or pain that we have not quite felt before.