What are the major symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Also how is it diagnosed!!!?
Also in alot of cases are narcotic pain meds used to help with the pain?
Public Comments
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibromyalgia#Symptoms2. 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
3. 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.
4.
5. 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/
