A condition that can last a lifetime
Fibromyalgia (pronounced fibro-my-al-juh) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder. The precise cause is still unknown.
Associated with physical or psychological trauma, fibromyalgia literally means pain in the fibrous tissues in the body.
Most patients with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked.
Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn.
More women than men are afflicted with fibromyalgia, but it shows up in people of all ages.
Musculoskeletal pain and fatigue experienced by fibromyalgia syndrome patients is a chronic problem, which tends to have a waxing and waning intensity. There is currently no generally accepted cure for this condition.
According to recent research, most patients can expect to have this problem all their life. However, worthwhile improvement may be obtained with appropriate treatment. There is often concern on the part of patients, and sometimes physicians, that fibromyalgia is the early phase of a more severe disease such as multiple sclerosis or systemic lupus erythematosus.
Long-term follow up of patients has shown that it is very unusual for them to develop another rheumatic disease or neurological condition. However, it is quite common for patients with established rheumatic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome to also have fibromyalgia.
÷FMSNI (Fibromyalgia Support Northern Ireland) operate an information line manned by volunteers. ÷ Tel: 088448 269 024. See www. fmsni.org.uk/index.php/helpline and the FMSNI Facebook page.