Helen Dynda wrote:
> June 2001
>
> WHAT ARE FIBROMYALGIA AND ITS SYMPTOMS?
>
> General Description of Fibromyalgia Symptoms
>
> Fibromyalgia (also called fibrositis or fibromyositis) is a syndrome
> of unknown causes that results in chronic, sometimes debilitating
> muscle pain and fatigue.
>
> Pain. The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is pain, both pain
> experienced in certain precise locations called tender points and
> generalized pain [ See Box Criteria for Classifying Fibromyalgia].
> The pain of fibromyalgia is often is described as follows: .....Tender
> point pain occurs in local sites (tender points), usually in the neck
> and shoulders, and then radiates out. It occurs specifically in areas
> where the muscles attach to bone or ligaments. (The joints themselves
> are not affected, however, so they are not deformed nor do they
> deteriorate as they may in arthritic conditions.) There are no lumps
> or nodes associated with these points and no signs of inflammation
> (swelling, redness, heat)......The experience of widespread pain is
> similar to that of arthritis and has been described as stiffness,
> burning, radiating, and aching. Most patients report feeling some
> pain all the time, and many describe it as "exhausting." The pain can
> vary, depending on the time of day, weather changes, physical
> activity, and the presence of stressful situations. The pain is often
> more intense after disturbed sleep. * Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances.
> Another major complaint is fatigue, which some patients report as
> being more debilitating than the pain. Sleep disturbances,
> particularly restless leg syndrome, are also very common. Fatigue and
> sleep disturbances are, in fact, almost universal in patients with
> fibromyalgia, and if these symptoms are not present, then some experts
> believe that physicians should seek a diagnosis other than
> fibromyalgia.
>
> * Other Symptoms. Other symptoms that occur more often than average
> in fibromyalgia patients are the following: There is much more to
> read about Fibromyalgia at the following website: 1.) Enter:
> http://www.cchs.net/hinfo/ 2.) Click: Well-Connected Patient
> Education Reports; 3.) Scroll down and click: Fibromyalgia