Information on Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a real medical problem. As early as 1736, Guillaume de Baillou coined the term “rheumatism” to describe symptoms similar to those associated with FMS. In 1904 Gowers came up with “Fibrositis” which was changed to “fibromyalgia” in 1976.

Information on fibromyalgia isn’t hard to find. There are books, support groups, conferences, medical journals and associations and, of course, websites like this one devoted to information on fibromyalgia.

What Fibromyalgia is Not

Fibromyalgia is not a disease you can “catch.” You also cannot die from fibromyalgia — although in the midst of a serious flare-up you may wish you could. It is not hypochondria or “in your head” — a mental illness. In addition, people with fibromyalgia are not lazy. They may not feel like working because they are suffering fatigue or pain.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic medical problem. “A chronic disease,” according to Dr. Roland Staud, author of Fibromyalgia for Dummies, “is a continuing and serious medical problem that’s not curable, but can be managed, like arthritis or thyroid disease.” In the case of fibromyalgia, the chronic problem is “widespread muscular tenderness and pain that’s usually accompanied by fatigue, sleep disorders and other symptoms.” (Staud, M.D. & Adamec, 2002) People with fibromyalgia may also experience “headaches, anxiety, depression, poor memory, numbness and tingling in the extremities, cold hands and feet, irritable bowel syndrome, lowered immune function and chemical sensitivities.” (Murphree, 2008)

The problem is fibromyalgia is hard to diagnose, harder to “prove” and even harder to endure. Because it affects people in different ways, it is hard to say, “Yup, you’ve got fibromyalgia!” The one consistent symptom experienced by all people with FMS is pain. To describe the pain, imagine having a bad case of the flu where you ache all over. Now magnify that by ten times — that’s the pain of fibromyalgia.

Just about anyone of any age — children, adolescents, men, seniors — gets fibromyalgia, but the majority are women. In fact as many as 80% of fibromyalgia sufferers are women. Doctors Meerschaert and Ianni report that in the United States, the prevalence of fibromyalgia is around 3.4% in females and about 0.5% in males. Prevalence increases with age, reaching 7% of females between 60 and 79 years old. Ninety percent of Americans with fibromyalgia are women between the ages of 25 and 45 year old. (Murphree, 2008)

Fibromyalgia may be mild, moderate or severe. Mild fibromyalgia is mild muscle pain that is a pain level between one and three on the ten-point pain scale. Moderate fibromyalgia is characterized by moderate muscle pain in the four to six point range. The diagnosis is severe fibromyalgia for those with a chronic level of pain above seven. (Ostalecki, 2008)

Here’s what Dr. Rodger Murphee has to say about fibromyalgia:

“Listen, I’ve read those ads in magazines about seemingly magical remedies for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. I wish they were true, but your body just doesn’t work that way. There’s no magic pill. No massage therapy, acupuncture, detox program, colon cleanse, Candida treatment, parasite remedy, chiropractic adjustment, or drug will beat fibromyalgia. If there were a magic pill, you’d be well.” (Murphree, 2008)

Where to get more information on Fibromyalgia

If you, a friend or loved one has fibromyalgia and you want to find out more information on fibromyalgia, here are some books I recommend that you read. You can check them out from the public library or buy them.

• Fibromyalgia For Dummies, Roland Staud, M.D. with Christine Adamec, Wiley Publishing, Inc., New York , NY © 2002 ISBN: 0-7645-5441-7
• Fibromyalgia: The Complete Guide From Medical Experts and Patients, Sharon Ostalecki,  Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Sudbury , Mass.© 2008 ISBN: 978-0-7637-4640-7
• Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Step-by-step Program Proven to Help You Get Well!, Dr. Rodger H. Murphree, Harrison and Hampton Publishing, Inc. Birmingham, AL, © 2008 ISBN: 9780972893831

In addition, an excellent magazine may be available at your public library or local newsstand:

• Fibromyalgia AWARE Magazine

Bibliography

Murphree, R. H. (2008). Treating and Beating Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Step-by-step Program Proven to Help You Get Well! Birmingham, AL, USA: Harrison and Hampton Publishing, Inc.

Ostalecki, S. (2008). Fibromyalgia: The Complete Guide From Medical Experts and Patients. Sudbury, MA, USA: Jones and Barlett Publishers.

Staud, M.D., R., & Adamec, C. (2002). Fibromyalgia For Dummies. New York, NY, USA: Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Mondell, D. L., & Wright, P. (2005). Living with Fibromyalgia. New York, NY, USA: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Marek, C. (2003). The First Year: Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. New York, NY, USA: Marlowe & Company.

Wallace, D.J., & Wallace, J.B. (2002) All About Fibromyalgia: A Guide for Patients and Their Families. New York, NY, USA: Oxford University Press.

Matallana, L. (2005). The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fibromyalgia, 2nd Edition. New York, NY, USA: Penguin Group.