What Is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

Like a ghost in your body's machine, Fibromyalgia is a disorder that can neither be seen nor understood. It sure can be felt though. Read on to find out what you can do if this illness is in your life.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), is a disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain and symptoms of fatigue. Beyond that very little is known about it. Afflicted people suffer intense pain in the soft tissue parts of the body including muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

The most common complaint is an "aching all over the body". People who have Fibromyalgia report feelings of overworked muscles, often accompanied by a burning sensation, and deep fatigue.

The closest explanation that sufferers can offer to someone who is not familiar with the disorder is that they regularly feel like they have the worse flu they have ever had. They say that every muscle aches and they have a total lack of energy and difficulty concentrating. Some medical professionals relate the symptoms to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and Gulf War syndrome.

Because Fibromyalgia is not an "official" disease, many doctors do not even acknowledge its existence and look for other causes. To date women are affected more than men and there seems to be no specific age group that is affected.

The majority of patients are found to also suffer from a sleep disorder called the alpha-EEG anomaly which is characterized by the patients ability to fall asleep quickly but then never reach stage 4 (deep) sleep.

Other related symptoms may include Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which manifests itself as constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, and nausea. Others report frequent chronic or migraine headaches.

One of the reasons that Fibromyalgia is so difficult to understand is that it also takes on the symptoms of other disorders like Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome, a disorder that causes jaw-related face and head pain. PMS symptoms, memory impairment, dry eyes and mouth, and sensitivity to loud noises, bright lights, and certain odors are also present in many patients.

No one knows exactly what the cause and, as we said, some doctors aren't even sure that the disorder exists (although try telling that to someone who is suffering).

There is no commonly accepted treatment and most doctors concentrate on treating the individual symptoms. A lot of therapeutic courses also include injections with lidocaine, physical and/or occupational therapy, acupuncture or acupressure, massage, chiropractic and exercise programs.

If you suffer from Fibromyalgia, or think that you do, you will need a strong will and an understanding doctor to start down the path of relief. If your doctor doesn't understand your symptoms, keep looking until you find one who does.