10 things every one should know about Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a collection of symptoms. Anyone being diagnosed or having symptoms or signs associated with fibromyalgia, there are few facts one should know about the syndrome.

1- Widespread muscle pain and tenderness

Fibromyalgia is not a joint disease; therefore it does not harm or cause inflammation to joint, muscles and other tissues. It is arthritis related as it causes widespread pain in the body.

American College of Rheumatology, in 1990, defined criteria to classify fibromyalgia for research studies. According this fibromyalgia involves a history of widespread pain in the body including pain at 11 of 18 tender point sites.

2- Fibromyalgia can be both a primary or secondary condition

It is possible fibromyalgia may occur with another rheumatic disease. As a primary syndrome fibromyalgia can bring muscular pain or can occur as a secondary condition to other rheumatic diseases. 

People with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or ankylosing spondylitis are more likely to develop fibromyalgia syndrome. Such patients are usually confused if their symptoms are common to two conditions or if they have two distinct conditions.

3- Fibromyalgia remains undiagnosed for months

Often fibromyalgia symptoms are misunderstood for other conditions. It is mainly because fibromyalgia symptoms resemble or overlap symptoms associated with other rheumatic diseases.  

Due to this fact, fibromyalgia remain undiagnosed for months or even years. National Fibromyalgia Association say on average it takes 5 years to get an accurate diagnosis of the syndrome.

4- Fibromyalgia brings severe fatigue or a sleep disorder

Ninety percent of people who suffer from fibromyalgia experience severe fatigue or a sleep disorder. Poor sleep causes another set of problems such as cognitive problems, memory lapses, and lack of energy.

5- Additional symptoms of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia patients may experience additional symptoms which seem unrelated to fibromyalgia but actually are associated with the syndrome. Other than pain, fatigue and tenderness fibromyalgia suffers may experience;

·         headaches

·         irritable bladder or bowel

·         memory problems

·         temporomandibular joint disorder

·         pelvic pain

·         noise sensitivity

·         temperature sensitivity

·         restless leg syndrome

·         depression

·         anxiety

6- Fibromyalgia cause physical as well as psychological affects

Along with physical issues fibromyalgia suffers may experience psychological effects. A study evaluated 307 patients over an 11 years period found one third of patients experience severe physical and psychological issues.

7- Different patients may experience different symptoms of fibromyalgia

What makes fibromyalgia rather confusing and hard to diagnose is a fact that different patients report different symptoms of the syndrome. This suggests there may exist subtypes of fibromyalgia which once discovered may influence the treatment choices. Unless what truly underlies fibromyalgia is not discovered, the puzzle of different symptoms cannot be sorted out.  

8- Fibromyalgia has no definitive test

Fibromyalgia is solely detected through physical examination. Tests are performed to rule out other symptoms or to find more about other symptoms.

9- Fibromyalgia treatments

Curing fibromyalgia involves both medication and non-medication treatments. Physician would decide the ultimate treatment or combination of treatments based on symptoms presented. Medication can be used to relieve pain, improve sleep, and address depression and anxiety. Non-medication treatments which focus on pain relief and stress relief may be used as complimentary treatments or as alternative treatments.

10- Majority of fibromyalgia victims are women

Fibromyalgia affects more women than men. Statistics show prevalence of the syndrome is between 2 and 4 percent. However it is not clear how many people have managed it successfully to the extent of having a quality life. It is important to get early and proper diagnosis; following a treatment protocol may allow you quality of life despite your diagnosis.

Source: www.verywell.com