Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes fatigue, pain in the muscles and ligaments (the bands of
tissue that connect bone to bone), and tender areas in certain points of the body.
Around 9 out of 10 of those affected by fibromyalgia are women. In most cases, fibromyalgia develops
between the ages of 30 and 60, but it can develop in people of any age, including children and the
elderly. Around 1 in 100 people develop fibromyalgia at some point in their life and there are around
14,700 new cases in the UK each year.
The name fibromyalgia comes from the Latin word fibro, meaning fibrous tissues (tendons, ligaments),
my meaning muscles, and algia meaning pain. The condition used to be known as fibrositis, which
literally means inflammation of the muscles and soft tissue, but was renamed fibromyalgia in the 1980s
because studies found there is no inflammation or nerve injury.

The Main Symptoms of Fibromyalgia are pain, tender spots and fatigue. However, there are a large
number of possible symptoms, and they can vary in severity from day to day.
Pain from fibromyalgia can occur in the muscles and ligaments of any part of your body and can vary in
severity from day to day. The pain may change location - some people feel pain all over, but its most
common in the parts of the body that are used most, such as the back, neck, shoulders and feet. In
some people the pain can be so intense that it interferes with everyday tasks such as eating, while in
others it may cause only moderate discomfort. The pain is often accompanied by stiffness in the area
affected.
Some small areas on the body may become particularly tender. This is most common at the elbows,
the neck, the front of the knees and the hip joints.
Fatigue also varies from person to person, ranging from a mild, tired feeling to the exhaustion of a
flu-like illness. People with fibromyalgia often wake up tired even though they have had plenty of sleep,
although many feel more awake later in the day. Fatigue can make it difficult to do everyday things like
climb the stairs, go shopping, or go to work.
Other symptoms of fibromyalgia can include:

Symptoms sometimes get better or worse depending on factors such as the weather, stress levels, and
what types of activity the person is doing. Many people find that symptoms are worse first thing in the
morning and last thing at night.
Full recovery from fibromyalgia is uncommon, although there may be long periods of time when
symptoms disappear completely. Most people have to learn to live with the condition long-term.
However, fibromyalgia is not life-threatening and does not reduce life expectancy.
None of the common symptoms of fibromyalgia are outwardly visible and someone with the condition
may appear perfectly well. As a result, fibromyalgia is sometimes referred to as the invisible disability
or the irritable everything syndrome.

The Cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, although there are several theories. Research has shown that
people with fibromyalgia have lower than normal levels of a chemical called serotonin. Serotonin plays
an important part in controlling pain and regulating sleep. One of the leading theories is that a low level
of serotonin causes fibromyalgia.
However, research has also shown that people with fibromyalgia tend to have disturbances in their
deep sleep. Some experts believe that disturbed sleep patterns may be a cause of fibromyalgia, rather
than just a symptom.
Other theories about the cause include viral infection (although no virus has been identified), emotional
trauma, physical injury, altered pain perception, lack of growth hormone, lack of exercise and
hereditary factors. It is possible that there is no single cause, and that several factors combine to cause
the condition.

Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be difficult - there is no specific test that can diagnose the condition and
the symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary from person to person.
A diagnosis is usually made by taking a medical history, checking the symptoms, and doing a physical
examination. A doctor may suspect fibromyalgia from the characteristic tender spots it can cause.
Blood tests, X-rays and other scans may be used to rule out conditions with symptoms similar to
fibromyalgia. These include chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, under-active thyroid, multiple sclerosis,
myositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome.
If your GP suspects that you have fibromyalgia, they can refer you to a specialist in connective tissue
disorders (a rheumatologist), to rule out arthritis and get more information about your condition.

Treating Fibromyalgia, unfortunately at the moment there is no cure for fibromyalgia, so treatment
aims to ease the symptoms as much as possible and to improve your quality of life.
Research has shown that exercise can significantly improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia for most
people, reducing pain, boosting energy levels and helping with regular sleep patterns. Low-impact
aerobic exercises - such as walking, cycling or swimming - are thought to be best, rather than
muscle-straining exercises such as weight-training. A physiotherapist can provide a programme of
gentle exercise and stretching that is tailored to an individuals symptoms.
The following medicines may be prescribed to help relieve symptoms:

disturbed sleep.

serotonin deficiency. SSRIs slow the process by which serotonin is reused by the nerve cells
that make it, increasing the amount of serotonin in the body.

such as ibuprofen - these can help to ease pain.
If the pain is severe, stronger narcotic painkillers such as codeine, methadone, or morphine can
be prescribed.

particularly painful to provide temporary relief.

Depression which develops as a result of fibromyalgia may be treated with antidepressants.

(CBT), or other talking treatments can help some people with fibromyalgia to cope better with the way
pain, fatigue or other symptoms interfere with life.

Symptoms worse. Its also important to get enough sleep to reduce the effects of fatigue, and to eat a
healthy, balanced diet to help with energy levels.

massage, chiropractic or osteopathy ease their pain or fatigue, or help them relax and manage their
condition better.
Full recovery from fibromyalgia is uncommon. Although symptoms may vary in severity over time, and
may even disappear completely for periods, they usually return. Most people will have to learn to live
with the condition long-term. Joining a fibromyalgia support group such as the Sheffield FMS Self
Help Group can be a tremendous source of comfort and support.
For local support visit www.sheffieldfms.org.uk