Fybromyalgia - Symptoms - Pain - Treatments

If you've been to doctors and specialists galore, but they're unable to find anything specifically wrong with you, then you may be one of the 3.7 million Americans with Fybromyalgia.

The strange thing about Fibromyalgia is that the chronic symptoms manifest themselves in all different forms. Some people feel leg or nerve pain, while others mistake the symptoms for chronic fatigue syndrome or menopause symptoms.

Also, the intensity may vary from day to day or week to week, so patients often feel they are getting better, only to relapse into more serious symptoms later. The good news is that the spotlight is now on this disorder and cures are actively being sought!

The defining symptoms of this disorder include chronic, widespread pain and tenderness to the touch. Generally, Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue go hand-in-hand.

Allodynia, or skin sensitivity that feels like pins and needles, may accompany the pain. As a result of the Fibromyalgia pain, sufferers often encounter sleep deprivation or abnormal sleeping patterns and wake up feeling unrefreshed. Some people have irritable bowel syndrome, leg spasms in the night, headaches or Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction that causes rigidity in the face.

For severe cases, depression, mood disorders, impaired memory, anxiety, dry skin and mouth, or chest pain may accompany the other symptoms, making it nearly impossible to get through the day. In fact, it's estimated that 30% of people with Fibromyalgia Syndrome are incapable of working and require government assistance.

Doctors are at odds over what exactly causes Fybromyalgia. One theory is that it's caused by "central sensitization," meaning that patients simply have a lower pain threshold because of increased sensitivity in certain brain pathways.

Increased activity from neurotransmitters, as well as chemicals like Dopamine or Seratonin can cause the brain pathways to recognize the pain, yet offer a diminished response. In one study, respondents actually produced less Dopamine when subjected to minor pain like a needle prick. 

The most frustrating thing about having Fybromyalgia is that people tend to not take it seriously because it appears with other symptoms and afflictions.

Therefore, many people can't get the government assistance they need or suffer ridicule from their peers. Also, it's difficult for doctors to take a serious approach to addressing the pain when they can't quite find a cause. Despite all this, many patients get by on pain relievers, sleep aids, acupuncture and psychotherapy with a Fibromyalgia support group.