The Painful Facts of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by fatigue and widespread soft tissue pain of muscle, ligaments, and tendons. It is accompanied by an extensive number of indications that until recently, were thought to be individual illnesses unassociated to each other and major components of fibromyalgia. While the illnesses of fibromyalgia are not exclusive to the syndrome, FM sufferers can experience any or all of these associated ailments.

Fibromyalgia Facts:

* Fm lacks a clear test to verify its existence.

* There is no known cure for fibromyalgia.

* The cause of fm is unknown.

* The wide range of symptoms associated with FM makes the illness difficult to diagnose.

* FM affects an estimated 3 in 100 or roughly 900,000 Canadians and Americans combined.

* More women develop FM than men by 5 to 1.

* Every FM patient has at least 11 tender points out of a possible 18.

* Not all family doctors are familiar with fibromyalgia.

* There are no medications exclusive to FM.

* So far, the most useful medication for FM is Tricyclic antidepressants such as Selective serotonin reuptake    inhibitors (SSRI), Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft.

* Often, fatigue brought on by FM can mimic flu symptoms.

* Pain associated with FM is more concentrated in the parts of the body that are used most.

* Short periods of exertion often triggers extreme exhaustion

The most common symptoms of Fibromyalgia include:

Pain

Even though FM pain is widespread, the most concentrated or common pain areas are the upper back, neck, shoulders, head, hips, and knees. This does not mean that pain is restricted to these areas. FM concentrates in the most commonly used muscles and in most patients, this is usually the upper body.

Fatigue

Fatigue can develop very quickly. Patients experience fatigue as a mild tiredness but it is not uncommon to experience complete exhaustion of mind and body after exertion.

Sleep Problems

The most common sleep problem for FM patients is non-restorative sleep. Even those who sleep through the night can wake up feeling as tired as when they went to bed. This happens when the discomfort of FM pulls the patient to semi consciousness keeping them from reaching R.E.M. or, sometimes, preventing the patient from completing the R.E.M cycle. The R.E.M. or rapid eye movement cycle of sleep is marked by increased respiration and brain activity, eye movement, and relaxation of muscles. If R.E.M. is interrupted or never reached, the exhausted muscles do not have a chance to relax and renew their energy.

Cognitive Problems

Impaired mental processing is a common problem for FM patients. One's ability to process and retain information is diminished causing brain fog which weakens concentration making it hard to remember words or retain and remember simple information.

Balance and Dizziness

Another common symptom is dizziness and loss of balance. FM patients may feel dizzy or faint when rising from a sitting position which may be caused from lack of blood flow to the brain or low blood pressure, another common FM symptom.

Bowel complaints

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common symptom associated with fibromyalgia. It can cause the bowels to behave radically causing pain and discomfort. IBS causes constipation in some while other patients have constant diarrhea or, it may be a combination of the two. In either case the symptoms are usually chronic. Accompanying IBS symptoms include abdominal bloating, nausea, alternating diarrhea/constipation, excessive gas, loss of appetite, indigestion, and mucus in the stool. It is not uncommon to experience nausea before, during, or after a bowel movement.

Digestive Problems

Gastrointestinal Esophageal Reflux Disease or GERD and Acid Reflux are common fibromyalgia diseases affecting more than 60% of FM patients.  Acid Reflux is a backup of stomach acid into one's esophagus while Gastrointestinal Esophageal Reflux Disease or GERD causes recurring heart burn, chest pain, coughing, and a regurgitation of an acid taste. Most FM patients have lower than normal stomach acid which is a problem in itself leaving one to wonder why or how acid reflux may occur. Acid reflux caused by fibromyalgia happens when the abdominal muscles tighten pushing stomach content up into the esophagus.

Depression

About 30% of FM patients encounter some type of depression. It is unclear whether depression is part of the FM illness or if it is caused by it due to the changes occurring in their way of life.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

Another common affect of FM is Multiple Chemical Sensitivities or MCS. Sensitivities can occur from chemicals touching the skin such as soaps, perfumes, skin creams, inhalation of airborne chemicals such as cleaners, or ingested chemicals such as medications and food additives. It is not uncommon to experience unpleasant effects without connecting it to a source.

Difficulty Breathing

Chaotic breathing affects more than 50% of FM patients. The problem occurs when patients tend to take small breaths and/or shallow breathing. Breathing problems can also be caused by a low level of thyroid hormone that can result in weak respiratory muscles.

Other Fibromyalgia symptoms include:

* panic (anxiety) attacks

* crying easily

* mood swings

* anxiety

* irritability

* mitral valve prolapse or MVP

* irregular heartbeat or rapid heart rate

* costochondritis. A condition caused by inflammation of the cartilage that joins the rib bone to  the sternum or breastbone.

* cognitive confusion

* short term memory problems

* trouble concentrating

* difficulty remembering known or common words-nouns in particular

* poor memory and loss of concentration when speaking.

* inability to form thoughts or ideas in as orderly fashion

* urinary problems such as frequency or urgency due to spastic bladder muscles

* nausea

* low sex drive

* PMS

* menses problems

* ridges on fingernails

* depressions or curvatures in fingernails

* sensitivity to loud noise

* sensitivity to odors

* sensitivity to light

* sensitivity to weather changes

* insomnia

* dizziness

* sensitivity to food and the environment

* allergies

* low blood sugar

Symptoms can change at any time and new affects are diagnosed each year.

Those who have FM can have a couple, all, or any combination of symptoms.