What are the major symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Question

Also how is it diagnosed!!!?

Also in alot of cases are narcotic pain meds used to help with the pain?

Answer 1

Soreness in the muscles, stiffness, extreme fatigue, not being able to sleep, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, the list goes on.

It is diagnosed by process of elimination. Doctors run tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. There isn't a test specifically for Fibro. If all the tests are negative, then Fibro is suspected.

Treatment is also a matter of trial and error. Finding the right combination of treatments, physical therapies, lifestyle changes, and sometimes medications can take a while.

I have had Fibro for over 30 years and am an Owner of Yahoo's largest Fibro support group. If you want more information come visit us at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Fibromyalgia-CFS/

Answer 2

Fibromyalgia (FM or FMS) is a chronic syndrome (constellation of signs and symptoms) characterized by diffuse or specific muscle, joint, or bone pain, fatigue, and a wide range of other symptoms.Strictly speaking, there are no "diagnostic criteria" for the disorder. Rather, there exist a widely accepted set of classification criteria for research purposes which were elaborated in 1990 by the Multicenter Criteria Committee of the the American College of Rheumatology. These criteria, which are known informally as "the ACR 1990" define fibromyalgia according to the presence of the following criteria:

A history of widespread pain lasting more than three months—affecting all four quadrants of the body, i.e., both sides, and above and below the waist.
Tender points—there are 18 designated possible tender points (although a person with the syndrome may feel pain in other areas as well). During diagnosis, four kilograms-force (40 newtons) of force is exerted at each of the 18 points; the patient must feel pain at 11 or more of these points for fibromyalgia to be considered. Four kilograms of force is about the amount of pressure required to turn fingernails white or to feel pain sensations on the forehead. This technique was developed by the American College of Rheumatology as a means of classifying an individual as having fibromyalgia for both clinical and research purposes. While these criteria for classification of patients were originally established as inclusion criteria for research purposes and were not intended for clinical diagnosis, they have become the de facto diagnostic criteria in the clinical setting

Answer 3

Interesting query. No, I have now not had my gallbladder eliminated. But fibromyalgia is a sequence of signs. It isn't a clinical situation (I am now not certain what the correct time period is). By this I imply, you'll be able to have a headache. That is a symptom, and would be a symptom of dozens of stipulations. Fibromyalgia is the identical method.

Answer 4

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia requires a history of a least three months of widespread pain, and pain and tenderness in at least 11 of 18 tender-point sites. These tender-point sites include fibrous tissue or muscles of the:

Neck
Shoulders
Chest
Rib cage
Lower back
Thighs
Knees
Arms (elbows)
Buttocks
Sometimes, laboratory and x-ray tests are done to help confirm the diagnosis. The tests will also rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms.

Answer 5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibromyalgia#Symptoms

Answer 6

Fibromyalgia (FM or FMS) is a chronic syndrome (constellation of signs and symptoms) characterized by
diffuse or specific muscle, joint, or bone pain, fatigue, and a wide range of other symptoms. It is not contagious, and recent studies suggest that people with fibromyalgia may be genetically predisposed.[1] It affects more females than males, with a ratio of 9:1
Fibromyalgia is seen in 3% to 6% of the general population, and is most commonly diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50, though onset can occur in childhood. Because the nature of fibromyalgia is not well understood, some physicians believe that it may be psychosomatic or psychogenic

Symptoms

The defining symptoms of fibromyalgia are chronic, widespread pain and tenderness to light touch, and usually moderate to severe fatigue. Those affected may also experience heightened sensitivity of the skin (also called allodynia), tingling of the skin (often needle-like), achiness in the muscle tissues, prolonged muscle spasms, weakness in the limbs, and nerve pain. Chronic sleep disturbances are also characteristic of fibromyalgia, and some studies suggest that these sleep disturbances are the result of a sleep disorder called alpha-delta sleep , a condition in which deep sleep (associated with delta EEG waves) is frequently interrupted by bursts of brain activity similar to wakefulness (i.e. alpha waves). Deeper stages of sleep (stages 3 & 4) are often dramatically reduced.

In addition, many patients experience cognitive dysfunction (known as "brain fog" or "fibrofog"), which may be characterized by impaired concentration and short-term memory consolidation, impaired speed of performance, inability to multi-task, and cognitive overload.[7] Many experts suspect that "brain fog" is directly related to the sleep disturbances experienced by sufferers of fibromyalgia. However, the relationship has not been strictly established.

Other symptoms often attributed to fibromyalgia (possibly due to another comorbid disorder) may include Myofascial pain syndrome, chronic paresthesia, physical fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, genitourinary symptoms (such as those associated with the chronic bladder condition interstitial cystitis), dermatological disorders, headaches, myoclonic twitches, and symptomatic hypoglycemia. Although it is common in people with fibromyalgia for pain to be widespread, it may also be localized in areas such as the shoulders, neck, back, hips, or other areas. Many sufferers also experience varying degrees of temporomandibular joint disorder. Not all patients have all symptoms.

Fibromyalgia can, but does not always, start as a result of some trauma (such as a traffic accident), major surgery, or disease. Some evidence shows that Lyme Disease is a common trigger of fibromyalgia symptoms.[8] However, there is currently no known strong correlation between any specific type of trigger and the subsequent initiation of symptoms. Symptoms can have a slow onset, and many patients have mild symptoms beginning in childhood, that are often misdiagnosed as growing pains. Symptoms are often aggravated by unrelated illness or changes in the weather. They can become more tolerable or less tolerable throughout daily or yearly cycles; however, many people with fibromyalgia find that, at least some of the time, the condition prevents them from performing normal activities such as driving a car or walking up stairs. The syndrome does not cause inflammation as is present in rheumatoid arthritis, although some anti-inflammatory treatments, such as Ibuprofen and Iontophoresis, may temporarily reduce pain symptoms in some patients.

Diagnosis

Strictly speaking, there are no "diagnostic criteria" for the disorder. Rather, there exist a widely accepted set of classification criteria for research purposes which were elaborated in 1990 by the Multicenter Criteria Committee of the the American College of Rheumatology. These criteria, which are known informally as "the ACR 1990" define fibromyalgia according to the presence of the following criteria:

* A history of widespread pain lasting more than three months—affecting all four quadrants of the body, i.e., both sides, and above and below the waist.
* Tender points—there are 18 designated possible tender points (although a person with the syndrome may feel pain in other areas as well). During diagnosis, four kilograms-force (40 newtons) of force is exerted at each of the 18 points; the patient must feel pain at 11 or more of these points for fibromyalgia to be considered.[10] Four kilograms of force is about the amount of pressure required to turn fingernails white or to feel pain sensations on the forehead. This technique was developed by the American College of Rheumatology as a means of classifying an individual as having fibromyalgia for both clinical and research purposes. While these criteria for classification of patients were originally established as inclusion criteria for research purposes and were not intended for clinical diagnosis, they have become the de facto diagnostic criteria in the clinical setting. It should be noted that the number of tender points that may be active at any one time may vary with time and circumstance.

[edit] Objective Tests

Many people with fibromyalgia have abnormal autonomic function, which may be demonstrated by tilt table testing, which is an evaluation of autonomic function. In addition, several studies have demonstrated a reduction in heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with fibromyalgia, which may be interpreted as reflecting an increase in sympathetic tone or, alternatively, a decrease in parasympathetic tone. One interpretation of this phenomenon is that it may represent a less adaptive autonomic nervous system in response to physiological stressors.

Treatment

As with many other disorders, there is no universal cure for fibromyalgia. However, a steady interest in the disorder on the part of academic researchers as well as pharmaceutical interests has led to improvements in its treatment, which ranges from symptomatic prescription medication to alternative and complementary medicine.

Traditionally, low doses of sedating antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline and trazodone) have been used to reduce the sleep disturbances that are associated with fibromyalgia, which are believed by some practitioners to exacerbate the symptoms of the disorder. Because depression often accompanies chronic illness, these antidepressants may provide additional benefits to patients suffering from depression. Amitriptyline is often favoured as it can also have the effect of providing relief from neuralgenic or neuropathic pain. Some doctors advise against using narcotic sleep aids ("hypnotics"), since these can lead to dependence.

Standard clinical doses of newer anti-depressants (SSRIs) like Citalopram (Celexa) are being used. Anti-seizure drugs are also sometimes used,[citation needed] such as gabapentin, and the newer drug pregabalin (Lyrica), originally used for the nerve pain suffered by diabetics.

Studies have found gentle exercise, such as warm-water pool therapy, improves fitness and sleep and may reduce pain and fatigue in some people with fibromyalgia.[citation needed] Stretching is recommended to allay muscle stiffness and fatigue, as is mild aerobic exercise. Because strenuous activity can exacerbate the muscle pain and fatigue already present, patients are advised to begin slowly and build their activity level gradually to avoid inducing additional pain. Exercise may be poorly tolerated in more severe cases with abnormal post-exertional fatigue.

Cognitive behavioral therapy has been shown to improve quality of life and coping in fibromyalgia patients and other sufferers of chronic pain.[citation needed]

Neurofeedback has also shown to provide temporary and long-term relief.[citation needed]

Many patients find temporary relief by applying heat to painful areas. Those with access to physical therapy and/or massage may find them beneficial. Chiropractic care can also help relieve pain due to fibromyalgia.[citation needed]

A holistic approach—including managing diet, sleep, stress, activity, and pain—is used by many patients. Dietary supplements, massage, chiropactic care,[citation needed] managing blood sugar levels, and avoiding known triggers when possible means living as well as it is in the patient's power to do.

Treatment for the "brain fog" has not yet been developed, however biofeedback and self-management techniques such as pacing and stress management may be helpful for some patients. The use of anti-depressants, which improves sleep, helps some patients, as does supplementation with folic acid and ginkgo biloba.[citation needed]

Among the more controversial therapies in common use among some patients involves the use of the expectorant guaifenesin. The use of this agent originated from the thoughts of Dr. R. Paul St. Amand, hence the name St Amand's protocol.[11] Many patients report improvement on this treatment, which in turn has inspired health care providers to incorporate it in their practice. However, the efficacy of guaifenesin in treating fibromyalgia has not been proven in properly designed research studies. Indeed, a controlled study conducted by researchers at Oregon Health Science University in Portland failed to demonstrate any benefits from this treatment.

A number of practitioners are attracted to the treatment of fibromyalgia, especially because its cause has yet to be identified and, due to its permanent nature, ongoing treatments can be very profitable. While this interest may promote legitimate medical research, patients should be wary: Treatments of dubious validity exist in the meantime.