Fibromyalgia (or "FM" for short) is a complex, chronic condition which causes widespread pain and fatigue as well as a variety of other symptoms. The name fibromyalgia comes from "fibro" meaning fibrous tissues (such as tendons and ligaments), "my" meaning muscles, and "algia" meaning pain. Unlike arthritis, FM does not cause pain or swelling in the joints. Rather, it produces pain in the soft tissues located around joints and in skin and organs throughout the body.  Because FM has few symptoms that are outwardly visible, it has been nicknamed "the invisible disability" or the "irritable everything" syndrome.

The pain of FM usually consists of diffuse aching or burning described as "head-to-toe", and it is often accompanied by muscle spasm. Pain can vary in severity from day to day and change location, becoming more severe in parts of the body that are used the most (i.e., neck, shoulders, and feet). In some people, it can be so intense that it interferes with the performance of even simple tasks, while in others it may cause only moderate discomfort. Likewise, the fatigue of FM also varies from person to person ranging from a mild, tired feeling to the exhaustion of a flu-like illness. FM is not physically crippling nor does it interfere with a person's expected life span.

Although the exact prevalence of FM in the U.S. population has not been thoroughly studied, conservative estimates place the total between 4 and 6 million. Other experts believe the true number is closer to 10 million.¹ An estimated 80% of sufferers are women, most of them working age, so FM has obvious consequences in terms of employment and family stress. FM also occurs in all other age groups as well as in men, and it exists in all races worldwide.

Symptoms/Syndromes Associated With FM

In addition to pain and fatigue, a number of symptoms/syndromes are usually associated with FM. Like pain/fatigue, their severity may wax and wane over time, and individuals may differ in the extent to which they are troubled by them. Typically, patients suffer from one or more of the following

Stiffness:  Body stiffness is usually most apparent upon awakening and after prolonged periods of sitting or standing in one position. It may also coincide with changes in relative humidity.

Increased Headaches Or Facial Pain: Head/facial pain is frequently a result of extremely stiff or tender neck/shoulder muscles which refer pain upwards. It can also accompany temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, a condition which occurs in an estimated one-third of those with FM and which affects the jaw joints and surrounding muscles.

Sleep Disturbances: Despite sufficient amounts of sleep, FM patients may awaken feeling unrefreshed, as if they have barely slept. Alternatively, they often have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. The reasons for the non-restorative sleep and other sleep difficulties of fibromyalgia are unknown although early FM research in sleep labs documented disruptions in the deep (delta) sleep of some patients.

Cognitive Disorders: Those with FM report a number of cognitive symptoms which tend to vary from day to day. These include difficulty concentrating, "spaciness" or "fibro-fog", memory lapses, difficulty thinking of words/names, and feeling overwhelmed when engaged in multiple tasks.

Gastrointestinal Complaints: Digestive disturbances, abdominal pain, and bloating are quite common with FM as are constipation and/or diarrhea. Together these symptoms are usually known as "irritable bowel syndrome" or IBS. FM patients may also have difficulty swallowing food. Researchers think this may be a result of abnormalities in smooth muscle functioning in the esophagus.

Genito-Urinary Problems: FM patients may experience increased frequency of urination or increased urgency to urinate, typically in the absence of a bladder infection. Some may develop a chronic, painful inflammatory condition of the bladder wall known as "interstitial cystitis" (IC). Women with FM may have more painful menstrual periods or experience a worsening of their FM symptoms during this time. Conditions such as vulvar vestibulitis or vulvodynia, characterized by a painful vulvar region and painful sexual intercourse, may also develop in women.

Paresthesia: Numbness or tingling, particularly in the hands or feet, sometimes accompanies FM. Also known as "paresthesia", the sensation can be described as prickling or burning.

Myofascial Trigger Points: A significant number of people with FM have a neuromuscular condition known as "myofascial pain syndrome (MPS)" in which very painful spots (trigger points) form in taut bands in muscles or other connective tissue, often as a result of repetitive motion injury, prolonged poor posture, or illness. Not only are these spots very painful but they also refer pain to other parts of the body in very predictable ways. Unlike FM which affects the entire body, MPS is a localized condition which occurs in very specific areas, typically the neck, shoulders, or lower back. TMJ is considered a form of MPS.

Chest Symptoms:  Individuals with FM who engage in activities involving continuous, forward body posture (i.e., typing, sitting at a desk, working on an assembly line, etc.) often have special problems with chest and upper body (thoracic) pain and dysfunction.  The pain may cause shallow breathing and postural problems. They may also develop a condition known as costochondralgia (also referred to as costochondritis) which causes muscle pain where the ribs meet the chest bone and is frequently mistaken for heart disease. Persons with FM are also prone to a largely asymptomatic heart condition known as mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in which one of the valves of the heart bulges during a heartbeat causing a click or murmur. MVP usually does not cause much concern unless another cardiac condition is also present. (Note: Anyone experiencing chest pain should immediately consult a physician.)

Dysequilibrium: FM patients may be troubled by light-headedness and/or balance problems for a variety of reasons. Since fibromyalgia is thought to affect the skeletal tracking muscles of the eyes, "visual confusion" and nausea may be experienced when driving a car, reading a book, or otherwise tracking objects. (Difficulties with smooth muscles in the eye may also cause additional problems with focus.) Alternatively, weak muscles and/or trigger points in the neck or TMJ dysfunction may cause dizziness or dysequilibrium. Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medical Center have also shown that some FM patients have a condition known as "neurally mediated hypotension" which causes a drop in blood pressure and heart rate upon standing with resulting light-headedness, nausea, and difficulty thinking clearly.

Leg Sensations: Some FM patients may develop a neurologic disorder known as "restless legs syndrome" (RLS) which involves a "creepy crawly" sensation in the legs and an irresistible urge to move the legs particularly when at rest or when lying down. One recent study suggests that as many as 31% of FM patients may have RLS.  The syndrome may also involve periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) which can be very disruptive to both the patient and to her/his sleeping partner.

Sensory Sensitivity/Allergic Symptoms:  Hypersensitivity to light, sound, touch, and odors frequently occurs among those with FM and is thought to be a  result of a hyperactive nervous system. In addition, persons with FM may feel chilled or cold when others around them are comfortable, or they may feel excessively warm. They may also have allergic-like reactions to a variety of substances accompanied by itching or a rash or a form of non-allergic rhinitis consisting of nasal congestion/discharge and sinus pain. However, when such symptoms occur, there is usually no measurable immune system response like that found in true allergies.

Skin Complaints: Nagging symptoms, such as itchy, dry, or blotchy skin, may accompany FM. Dryness of the eyes and mouth is also not uncommon. Additionally, fibromyalgia patients may experience a sensation of swelling, particularly in extremities (i.e., fingers). A common complaint is that a ring no longer fits. However, such swelling is not like the joint inflammation of arthritis; rather, it is a localized anomaly of FM of unknown cause.

Depression And Anxiety: Although FM patients are frequently misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders ("it's all in your head"), research has repeatedly shown that fibromyalgia is not a form of depression or hypochondriasis. Where depression or anxiety do co-exist with fibromyalgia, treatment is important as both can exacerbate FM and interfere with successful symptom management.

There are a number of natural remedies that can help lessen the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Here are a few to try:
1. Exercise regularly. Exercise can help improve muscle pain and fatigue, as well as improve sleep quality.

2. Try acupuncture or massage therapy. These therapies can help relieve muscle pain and tension.

3. Make sure to get enough rest and relaxation. Sleep is important for overall health and can help reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia.