<FontFamily><param>Arial</param><bigger><bigger>Could someone tell me what fibriomyalgia (?spelling?) is?
Teresa,
Fibromyalgia is a disease that is characterized by generalized pain in the muscles and connective tissue. (Arthritis is usually pain and inflammation of the joints.) It is usually accompanied by severe fatigue.
It is usually diagnosed by identifying "tender points" -- these points seem to be similar in patients with FMS and hurt when touched by the doctor.
Many doctors think it is really a sleep disorder, that patients get poor quality sleep and improving sleep helps with the pain. A low dose of the antidepressant elavil at bedtime often helps a lot.
I have been diagnosed with FMS, but it appears to be less bothersome in the last few months as I have had more rest and have been taking Celexa.
It can be quite a disabling disease because of pain and crippling fatigue.
Love,
Kate
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-- Kate Murphy katemm@mindspring.com