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Fibromyalgia: The Chronic Muscle and Joint Pain

Fibromyalgia (FM): The Chronic Muscle and Joint Pain Syndrome

What Is Fibromyalgia?

About one in twenty Australians suffers from fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread pain and fatigue of the muscular and skeletal system. Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal syndrome that targets the muscles, tendons (the fibrous collagen tissue that connects muscle to bone), and ligaments (connective tissue that connects one bone to another). It causes chronic pain and fatigue and a host of other symptoms. Sadly, fibromyalgia is incurable but it can be managed.

How Does FM Manifest?

Fibromyalgia causes an individual to feel sore all over, much like having muscle aches and pains. Pain and tenderness are the predominant markers of this condition and its severity varies. Some people feel mild muscle aches all over while others report on feelings higher up on the pain scale such as stabbing and burning sensations in the muscles and joints. FM patients may feel like their muscles have been pulled or stressed from a strenuous workout. In other cases, the muscles may feel a throbbing weakness just as they would feel under a bad case of the flu. Most also feel an abnormal exhaustion despite having just gotten up from sleep.
Up until 2006, FM was thought to be a psychosomatic condition, a side effect of emotional disorders. Part of the symptoms it carries is anxiety and depression; so, no wonder it has also been miscategorised. Presently, it is recognized as a true physical condition, one in which an inflicted person processes pain abnormally.
Because the symptoms of muscle and joint pain usually mimic arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and some mental disorders, among others, many a diagnosis have been thrown off the FM scent towards these other similar conditions. The severity and combination of symptoms for fibromyalgia are also so varied among individuals. It is for these reasons that some patients have been misdiagnosed as suffering from other conditions other than FM.
The symptoms for the FM syndrome include the following:

• Soft tissue pain – can mimic thyroid problems and other endocrine disorders
• Tenderness in certain areas like the shoulders, neck, chest, elbow, hip, knee
• Pain all over the body
• Decreased pain threshold
• Muscle cramps, weakness
• Fatigue – ranging from plain tiredness to exhaustion. About 75% of chronic fatigue (CFS) patients actually fulfil the FM criteria as well.
• Gut problems such as frequent indigestion, diarrhoea, constipation, or cramps---much like irritable bowel syndrome
• Sleep problems; insomnia
• Problems with cognition --- memory problems, inability to focus well
• Depression; anxiety
• Headaches and migraines
• Itchy or burning skin

These symptoms by no means form a complete listing but these are the common ones.

Who Are At Risk?

Women, especially between the ages of 35 and 55, are more susceptible to developing FM than men are. Although the syndrome commonly hits individuals in their middle age, anyone including kids and adolescents can come down with fibromyalgia.
Certain personality types are also at high risk. Type A personalities or high achievers are at risk because their personal habits may negate nutrition, exercise, and rest. Studies have also linked obesity to FM, as many patients with the syndrome tend to be obese.
Fibromyalgia could also be a genetic hand-me-down; so the syndrome could run in families.
Other causes of FM may be attributed to:

• Infections
• Lupus
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Previous pain syndromes
• Injury or trauma
• Emotional disorders
• Substance abuse

How Is FM Treated?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for FM; but you can live with it by following a good management program. Usually your doctor tailors the program to your specific needs which generally involves:

• Education – you need to understand your condition
• Stress management – FM usually brings with it the symptoms of anxiety and depression; so, you need to plan how to relax and manage your emotions
• Medication --- for pain, sleep promotion, and possibly, depression
• Exercise – Although painful at first, you must work your way up to exercising at least 30 minutes a day, 3-4 times a week. The goal is to be aerobically fit. Low impact exercises such as walking, swimming, or tai-chi will go a long way in managing pain, anxiety, and sleep issues.
• Massage – to aid as a muscle relaxant and stress reliever
• Nutrition planning --- You can’t fight or manage a condition without proper nutrition. You need to increase your energy levels by managing your weight as well.
• FM Support groups --- There are several support groups for FM which can be invaluable sources for information and encouragement. One such group you can check on is the Arthritis and Osteoporosis Victoria.

To manage fibromyalgia well, you must be prepared to make some lifestyle changes. Although it may be difficult, success here will enable you to kiss the debilitating side of fibromyalgia out of the way. Bringing a condition to heel is never easy; but the rewards are great when you can learn to live with it.