Fibromyalgia
Syndrome (FMS) affects the muscle tissue, tendons, and ligaments
throughout the body, causing chronic pain and fatigue. Often its onset
is triggered by a single traumatic physical or emotional event, such as a
bad car accident or the death of a loved one. Yet, fibromyalgia can
occur in those who have no discernable trigger event, and the chance of
developing this disease increases with age.
Fibromyalgia
causes widespread pain throughout the body, especially at certain
“tender points” located at the shoulders, neck, chest, outer elbows,
hips, and inner knees. Most people with fibromyalgia
relate their pain to having a very bad flu in terms of body aches,
(with the exception that the pain never goes away). Actual descriptions
of the pain itself run the gamut—it has been described as burning,
throbbing, stabbing, aching, etc.
To make matters worse, those with fibromyalgia are likely to be stricken
with other painful disorders that affect the muscles and joints, such
as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
(TMJ), irritable bowel syndrome, premenstrual syndrome and
endometriosis.
Fibromyalgia
is also associated with disturbed sleep patterns. Restless Leg
Syndrome, sleep apnea, jerking legs, and other sleep disorders
frequently accompany FMS, and it has been strongly linked to Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Many researchers in the medical community
believe CFS and fibromyalgia syndrome are just different names for the
same illness. Lack of sleep makes it very difficult for fibromyalgia
patients to concentrate on routine cognitive tasks. In fact, there is a
special term for the concentration difficulties experienced by those
with FMS, called “fibro fog.”
Fibromyalgia
affects more women than men, and for a long time it was thought that
this disorder may be psychosomatic. However, thanks to technological
advancements, researchers have discovered that the pain centers in
fibromyalgia patients’ brains are lit up like a Christmas tree when
compared to those that do not have the disorder. In addition, studies of
fibro patients’ muscle tissue has revealed that their tissue contains
increased levels of toxins, while blood flow (and thus delivery of
nutrients) to the muscles is for some reason decreased.
Fibromyalgia
is real, and for some the reality of living with it each day makes it
difficult if not impossible for them to work, socialize, or even
properly care for themselves.



