Fibromyalgia: Living in a Tired, Muscle and Joint Pain, Fatigue Fog
The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown and there is no known cure. Anyone can get it, but it is most common in middle-aged women. People with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are particularly likely to develop fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease. A disease, which is a medical condition with a specific cause or causes along with recognizable signs and symptoms. Whereas, a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause.
Diagnosis is based on a history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months and the presence of tender points. Pain is considered to be widespread when it affects all four quadrants of the body; that is, you must have pain in both your right and left sides as well as above and below the waist to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia makes you feel tired and causes muscle pain and “tender points.” Tender points hurt when touched, and are located on the:
- hips
- legs
- neck
- back
- arms
- shoulders
In addition to pain and fatigue, people who have fibromyalgia may experience
- headaches
- morning stiffness
- sleep disturbances
- restless legs syndrome
- temperature sensitivity
- irritable bowel syndrome
- painful menstrual periods
- numbness or tingling of the extremities
- cognitive and memory problems ~ “fibro fog”
Along with a variety of other symptoms.
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to treat. Not all doctors are familiar with fibromyalgia and its treatment, so it is important to find a doctor who is. Treatment often requires a team approach, with your doctor, a physical therapist, possibly other health professionals, and most importantly, yourself, all playing an active role to help you improve your quality of life.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, meaning it lasts a long time, possibly a lifetime. However, it is not a progressive disease, it is never fatal, and it won’t cause damage to your joints, muscles, or internal organs. The fibromyalgia tired fog condition does improve for some over time.
Some sufferers describe it like living in a fatigued fog.
Along Similar Health Lines:
- Fatigue and Weakness are Common Signs of Anemia
- Fatigue Causes and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Symptoms for Diagnosis
- Chronic Fatigue: Discover When the Lack of Energy and Motivation Turns Chronic
- Causes for Lack of Energy (Fatigue) Relief and Prevention by Lifestyle Adjustment Treatments
- Many Causes of Weakness, Feeling Tired, Fatigue and Measurable Muscle Weakness Symptoms
- Addisons Disease Adrenal Insufficiency Causes Low Blood Pressure and Sugar Symptoms for Treatment
Books/approaches to this very difficult to manage syndrome:
- Freedom from Fibromyalgia
- The Monster Within- Fibromyalgia
- Beat Fibromyalgia And Chronic Fatigue
- The Everything Health Guide to Fibromyalgia
- Fibromyalgia: Simple Relief Through Movement
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Management
- Women and Fibromyalgia: Living with an Invisible Dis-Ease
- Year Fibromyalgia: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed
- Fibromyalgia Cookbook: More Than 120 Easy and Delicious Recipes
- Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia: Discover Your Personal Method for Pain Relief
- The New Fibromyalgia Remedy: Stop Your Pain Now with an Anti-Viral Drug Regimen
- The Feel-Good Guide to Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Comprehensive Resource for Recovery
- Fibromyalgia: A Leading Expert’s Guide to Understanding and Getting Relief from the Pain That Won’t Go Away
- Fibromyalgia: The New Integrative Approach: How to Combine the Best of Traditional and Alternative Therapies
- Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Insights from Practitioners and Patients
- Food That Helps Win the Battle Against Fibromyalgia: Healthy and Tasty Recipes That Boost the Immune System While Easing Everyday Pain