about fibromyalgia

.What is fibromyalgia?

.A widespread pain condition not attributable to other rheumatic conditions.

Up to 40 percent of patients end up on disability. About one third of patients with fibromyalgia modify their work to keep their jobs.

Many patients change to jobs that are less physically and mentally taxing.

This change often leads to decreased income and increased financial burdens.

The syndrome costs up to $9 billion dollars annually in the United States.

.What are its signs and symptoms?

.They can vary, depending on the weather, stress, physical activity or even the time of day.

Common signs and symptoms include widespread pain in specific areas of the body when pressure is applied, including the back of the head, upper back and neck, upper chest, elbows and hips and knees.

The pain generally persists for months at a time, and is often accompanied by stiffness.

Other problems include fatigue and sleep disturbances.

Some studies suggest that this sleep problem is the result of a sleep disorder called alpha wave interrupted sleep pattern, a condition in which deep sleep is frequently interrupted by bursts of brain activity similar to wakefulness.

Nighttime muscle spasms in the legs and restless leg syndrome also can be associated with fibromyalgia.

.Can it be passed from one person to another?

.No.

.Is it in families?

.Researchers have found a gene for a chemical that is low in families of people with fibromyalgia.

That chemical — serotonin — is responsible for many disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, depression, anxiety and migraine headaches.

The abnormal chemical and physical processes found in the brain, nerves and muscles that are associated with fibromyalgia may indeed be passed from one generation to the next.

.Why is the syndrome often misdiagnosed?

.Because it was not recognized as a true diagnosis until the late 1980s and no criteria for diagnosing it until 1992, many doctors assumed it was a psychiatric illness.

.What are treatment options?

.The best treatment is self-care. Patients need to engage in moderate exercise, focusing especially on stretching and gentle strengthening of their muscles. Yoga and moderate weight lifting have shown some benefit.

Patients should reduce their stress levels and work to ensure they receive adequate sleep each night to increase their serotonin levels.

Patients need to understand that fibromyalgia is a life-long condition, and that they can be in control of how they feel. Patients who also have psychiatric conditions should seek appropriate treatment.

.What about medications?

.Medications that increase the serotonin levels in the body, most notably antidepressants, are often used.

Amitriptyline and nortriptyline are often used because they can also promote good sleep. Anti-inflammatories may reduce pain by reducing the levels of certain pain hormones in the muscle tissue.

.What research is being done to address fibromyalgia?

.Plenty. See the Web site fmaware.org.