But seriously folks, Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a chronic, wide-spread pain syndrome that involves muscles, connective tissues (tendons, ligaments), bursae, and joints. Often there is severe fatigue, feeling as if one has a constant case of the flu or that "somebody pulled the plug". Additionally, Fibromyalgia causes stiffness, particularly in the morning when the muscles seem to have "gelled" during the night. There is always non-restorative sleep. FMS patients do not get much, if any, stage 4 Delta sleep. This is the "healing" phase of sleep where repair of bodily tissues takes place. Muscles do not recover overnight as in normal individuals, hence the pain and stiffness.

Many other physical conditions go hand-in-hand with Fibromyalgia: tension and migraine headaches, TMJD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), carpal tunnel syndrome, irritable bowel and/or bladder, numbness and tingling, PMS, dry eyes and mouth, environmental sensitivities and exercise intolerance. Mentally, there can be mood swings, memory blanks and trouble concentrating (fibro fog), anxiety and panic attacks. Depression can set in as with any chronic condition. There are many other accompanying symptoms that can occur as well.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome is diagnosed when a person has a history of widespread pain and painful tender points in standard areas (see Tender Point chart below). There must be pain on both sides of the body, pain above and below the waist, and on the spine. The doctor (usually a rheumatologist) applies a standardized amount of pressure - 4 kgs digitally (enough to make the thumbnail whiten) on each of these 18 areas. This must produce a report of pain on 11 of the 18 tender points in order to make the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Currently, this is our only test for Fibromyalgia (see American College of Rheumatology's Diagnostic Criteria below).

A syndrome, not a disease, Fibromyalgia does not cause degeneration of body organs or tissues, nor does it deform. But the stress of living with a chronic, painful condition can be devastating on the patient, her/his family, and her/his work and social life. One patient may hardly notice the effects of FMS while another may be severely disabled. The cause(s) of Fibromyalgia has not yet been determined but many research studies are in progress. At this writing, the debate continues about whether FMS is progressive. Although not contagious or hereditary, studies are revealing an inherited tendency towards FMS within families. There are many treatments available for Fibromyalgia; medication, exercise, physical therapy, alternative therapies (see my FMS Bookshelf and FMS Links pages). Although considered a permanent condition, remissions can occur.

Please check out this link to read about physical proof of Fibromyalgia pain.

Tender Point Chart