Recognizing Fibromyalgia Symptoms

"It's All in Your Head"

Until about 30 years ago, fibromyalgia went mostly unrecognized and certainly undiagnosed. The chronic muscle pain and fatigue that characterized this mysterious ailment drove people, mostly women, to the doctor. Doctors often could not find a concrete physiological cause for the symptoms since all of the diagnostic tests appeared normal and the symptoms seemed to be without explanation. The result was that the patient was frequently told, "It's all in your head."

Thankfully, there has been a lot of research since the time fibromyalgia first began showing up and the research has been ongoing. Better physiological and biological evidence for the disease is being gathered and as a result, more is being done to develop strategies for treatment that work.

A Difficult Syndrome to Diagnose

The symptoms of fibromyalgia often overlap with other autoimmune diseases and musculoskeletal conditions which makes it difficult to diagnose. Although there are some defining symptoms, there are myriad others that appear in combination with the basic symptoms. In many cases, clearly diagnosing fibromyalgia can take up to five years because of the confusing overlap of symptoms.

Criteria for Diagnosis of FM

In 1990, The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) listed two primary criteria for classifying fibromyalgia.

· A history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a period of three months at least. This means the pain must be evident in both right and left sides and both above and below the waist.

· Upon physical examination there must be the presence of pain in 11 of the 18 tender points when touched or pressed with force amounting to the equivalent of nine pounds or four kilograms.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the 18 tender points of fibromyalgia occur at nine bilateral muscle locations:

· Front neck area (low cervical region)

· Front chest area (second rib)

· Back of the neck (occiput)

· Back shoulder area (trapezius muscle)

· Shoulder blade area (supraspinatus muscle)

· Elbow area (lateral epicondyle)

· Rear End (gluteal)

· Rear hip (greater trochanter)

· Knee area (knee)

Confirmed local regional pain in 11 of these 18 points is one of the main diagnostic evidences of fibromyalgia (FM).

There has been recent data that shows FM sufferers may also have increased sensitivity to pain throughout their bodies, whether it moves around or is localized. Many experts agree that FM results from malfunction in the central nervous system and that fibromyalgia may be a response to stress and psycho-behavioral factors. Although the primary target of FM seems to be women of childbearing age, there are many men, older people, children, and teens who deal with it as well.

Non-Defined Symptoms of FM

Along with the symptoms that are defining, there are many other symptoms that attend FM and some of them tend to be consistent with the illness, appearing in many people with FM.

· Night sweats and sleep disturbances contribute to the already present fatigue

· Memory challenges and cognitive difficulties, fibro fog

· TMJ pain, headaches (migraines) non-cardiac chest pain, chronic pelvic pain and pain in the plantar or heel of the foot

· Heat or cold intolerance, weight gain or loss, feelings of weakness

· Myriad allergic reactions, chemical sensitivities and ear-nose-throat complaints

· Problems with balance, hearing and vision

· IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)

· Heart palpitations and heartburn

· Low blood pressure, fainting, and malfunction of esophageal muscles

· Depression and anxiety tend to occur more in FM sufferers

FM is difficult to diagnose since so many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia are non-defining and often mimic other health issues. However, it is imperative that a proper diagnosis be made. There are now more doctors who are actively learning about FM and will treat a person with the syndrome with the respect and understanding necessary to determine a course of treatment.

Get the Right Diagnosis

The list of symptoms seems to go on and on. It is important not to self-diagnose, though, because there are several conditions that mimic one another. For many years people with FM were being diagnosed as having Rheumatoid Arthritis. Learn more about the various symptoms of FM here and be sure to check this site for ways to cope and treat this troublesome syndrome.

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