Fibromyalgia is a baffling illness. No one is sure what causes it. Until recently many doctors didn’t even recognize it as a real condition. It is considered an arthritis-related condition, however, it is not a form of arthritis (a disease of the joints) since it does not cause inflammation in the joints, muscles, or other tissues or damage them.

It is a soft-tissue rheumatism which involves pain and stiffness around the joints and in the muscles. Fibromyalgia is typically diagnosed by pain in at least 11 out of 18 soft tissue areas known as "trigger points” and they suffer with the symptoms for over three months. When these trigger points are pressed, people with Fibromyalgia feel intense pain.

People with other rheumatic conditions feel no pain or only a slight tenderness when these trigger points are pressed. Fibromyalgia is a disease that affects 7 to 10 million Americans. It is more common in women than in men, and more so in middle aged patients. Fibromyalgia is closely linked to, and sometimes mistaken for, chronic fatigue syndrome.

Many of the symptoms associated with this condition are chronic pain in fibrous tissues such as muscles and connective tissues, fatigue, multiple tender points, abnormal sleep patterns, stiffness, irritable bowels numbness, headaches and facial pain, flu-like malaise, irritable bowel syndrome, TMJ, anxiety, depression, and dry eyes, skin, and mouth, among other symptoms. Pain can increase with activity; cold, damp weather; anxiety; and stress.

Diagnosing fibromyalgia has been controversial because there are no specific laboratory tests to identify the disorder. Until recently, many health care professionals thought fibromyalgia was primarily caused by psychological factors, “it’s all in your head.” Diagnosis is difficult and frequently missed because symptoms of fibromyalgia are vague and generalized.

The best thing to do if you are suffering from these symptoms is to keep a diary of your symptoms, treatments tried, conditions like activity, stress, anxiety and weather when your flares occur so that when you go to your doctor you can look at the diary together and see if there is a pattern consistent with Fibromyalgia or possibly something else.

Having a doctor who believes you and also knows of the affects of Fibromyalgia is very important when getting help. It may take some time to work through different treatments plans, but there is help for Fibromyalgia sufferers.

I hope this story from Helen can be an encouragement to you.  She emailed me and I asked her permission to post her story.  I've changed her name to Helen, just for privacy, and the photo is there simply to let you know that real people are going through the same thing.  Thank you Helen for sharing with us.

Hello, I am Helen from Indianapolis, IN.  On January 3rd, 2002 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia (that was a trick in itself just to be diagnosed). At this time, I had no previous knowledge on what this medical condition was, nor have I ever really heard of it. However, after many months of testing, exams, and more, I was a bit relieved to the fact that an official diagnosis had been made. In my opinion, this diagnosis meant that now the doctors and specialists that I was working with would now how to treat the condition and that I could experience some degree of relief on the symptoms that I experienced on a consistent basis. Little did I know that, while this medical condition had been carefully researched and documented, there was very little to offer in the way of treatment. Here, I will tell you about my personal battle with fibromyalgia, and the steps that I have taken to live comfortably with this condition.

When I was diagnosed with this condition, my doctor prescribed two different medications to me. The prescriptions that I received were Neurontin and Vioxx. While these medications did seem to assist with the symptoms that I was experiencing at the time, there were many side effects that I experienced. Furthermore, I found the medications that the doctor prescribed to be extremely costly. I knew it was time to start researching self-care tips for fibromyalgia and applying them to my life. I needed to find self-care techniques that assisted in my symptoms – which included:

• Feeling tired all of the time
• Throbbing pain in various locations throughout my body
• The “pins and needles” sensations that I experienced regularly
• Complications with insomnia
• Concentration and memory strength

Naturally, I experienced many different symptoms, but these were the most troublesome when it came to my particular case. It took some time, but I have now found a few things that seem to help as far as self-care for this condition is concerned. I will share these personal tips with you here. It is my hope that my tips here will assist others who suffer day to day with fibromyalgia.

1. One of the first things that I do in order to cope effectively with the symptoms that I experience, is I try to keep my motivation and perspective on the issue in tact. I know that this may seem a little silly, but a lot of fibromyalgia patients are plagued with depression. They feel as if they are trapped, and there is no way out of their suffering. I know, because at one time, I thought this way too. Then, I realized that this way of thinking was only making my situation worse. I look at the challenge as something that builds character, I look at it as a way to assist others, and I look at it as a way to be the strongest person I can be. If you can do this, you will soon begin to see that it is much easier to deal with this condition than you ever thought.

2. The next method that I use in dealing with fibromyalgia is that I take full advantage of over-the-counter medications, creams, and ointments. There are many effective products out there that can assist in pain management without the dangerous side effects that prescription medications have. For example, I often use ACTIVON, and Absorbine JR. for pain. I also make good use of acetaminophen, and similar products.

3. The next thing that I do that really helps when it comes to the symptoms and complications of this condition is I make use of a close-knit support group. This support group consists of friends and family members that help when I need assistance with various things I have to do, listening to me when I need it, and helping out when possible. This has been a real life saver for me.

There are many other ways that I deal with fibromyalgia, but I have found that these three methods are most productive when it comes to my symptoms. If you suffer from this health problem, you should considering using these methods in your life. Soon, you will find it is easy to cope.

I've had some people ask me what I know about fibromyalgia.  Rather than just rely on my own brain power, I've included some facts and their references.

Fibromyalgia often occurs along with other conditions, such as other forms of arthritis, Lyme disease, or thyroid problems. It can also develop after a serious injury.[1] Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose. It does not cause inflammation and cannot be diagnosed with X-rays, blood tests or samples of muscle tissue.[2] Fibromyalgia is not a new condition. There are many names for this condition given all around the world and over hundreds of years of medicine.[3]

[1] http://www.eorthopod.com/public/patient_education/6586/fibromyalgia.html
[2] http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbfibro.htm
[3] http://www.drlamb.com/curefibromyalgia.htm

Fibromyalgia is most common in women between the ages of 20 and 50, although it also affects men, the elderly, and children. Children with FM are often mistakenly diagnosed with growing pains or behavioral problems, and FM is commonly mistaken for chronic fatigue syndrome since the symptoms of the two diseases are so similar.[4] Fibromyalgia is a very controversial diagnosis. It should be given only after all other possible proven and identifiable sources are excluded.[5] Fibromyalgia is believed to affect 3 to 6 million Americans. Diagnosis of the condition - typically a lengthy process - usually occurs during mid-life, although symptoms may be present earlier in life.[6]

[4] http://www.healingwithnutrition.com/fdisease/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia.html
[5] http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1611.html
[6] http://www.annecollins.com/fibromyalgia-diet.htm

Fibromyalgia, or fibrositis, as it is sometimes called, is a mysteriously debilitating syndrome that afflicts between 6 and 12 million people in the United States. The condition bears a striking resemblance to chronic fatigue syndrome and affects mostly women (female to male ratio is about 10:1) between the ages of 25 and 50.[7] Fibromyalgia is also associated with certain immune system changes. These do not appear to be of the autoimmune kind seen in disorders like multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, but rather the immune system appears as if fighting a virus.[8] Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting (chronic) condition with no cure. Symptoms tend to come and go.[9]

[7] http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/cfs/fib_home.htm
[8] http://www.geocities.com/cfsdays/nye-pt.htm
[9] http://health.msn.com/encyclopedia/healthtopics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100066074

CFS, for many people, is the sister disease of fibromyalgia.  I do not know the exact figures of those who have Fibro that also have CFS, but I know it is a rather large percentage.  My mother has both.  I compiled some details on CFS, and living through each day with CFS.  I hope you find this beneficial.

Many suffer from the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome, or “CFS”. This condition results in an individual feeling extremely exhausted most of the time. This fatigue results in a lack of quality of life. Many are unable to perform basic, everyday activities. Other people lack the motivation and energy to even think about much more than they have to. There are many theories on the causes of this condition, but doctors and scientists have yet to discover anything concrete. Until this happens, people who experience this condition must learn steps to living day to day with chronic fatigue syndrome. Here, I will provide a few basic self-care techniques that can be used in order to accomplish this task.

One of the first things that you can do when it comes to living day to day with chronic fatigue syndrome is to ensure that you live a healthy lifestyle. Lifestyle choices – such as the diet that you elect to consume, as well as the exercise that you do or do not engage in – can have a direct impact on how you feel. This impact can be both physical and mental. Individuals who consume healthy foods that are considered to be organic and do not contain a lot of sugar, salt, and caffeine tend to feel a bit better daily when suffering from CFS. In addition to this, those that engage in a regular exercise program often find that they have more energy, and feel better in general. If you want to succeed in feeling better, despite the fact that you suffer from CFS, try discussing a safe diet and exercise program with your doctor.

The next way that people are living day to day with chronic fatigue syndrome is by taking natural herbs and supplements that are known to increase energy levels. There are many different products on the market that are considered to be safe and effective to the CFS patient. The following details examples of supplements that can be purchased for this task:

• Ginkgo Biloba
• Jatoba Tea
• Coca Kola Suma
• St. John’s Wort
• And many more!

In addition to the steps listed above, if you want to live day to day with chronic fatigue syndrome successfully, it is important to put a support system into place. Having someone that you can talk to about what you are experiencing, someone who will listen to what you have to say is a very important element when it comes to successfully overcoming the daily challenges that you are faced with.

As you can see, there are many different ways that one can succeed in living day to day with chronic fatigue syndrome. If you or someone you know suffers from this complicated condition, lifestyle changes, taking supplements for energy, and implementing a support system can be extremely beneficial.

Here is the conclusion of Diane's post on putting together a good fibromyalgia diet.  The main purpose of this article is to be able to find a nutritional approach to finding relief from the symptoms of fibromyalgia.  Improving the quality of life on a day-to-day basis is something I think we all are wanting.

3. It has been found that individuals who consume fish and various types of poultry actually suffer from fewer symptoms. These foods contain fish oil, omega-3, and many other nutrients that can be linked to health.

4. Fruits and various types of vegetables are also beneficial to the fibromyalgia patient. It is important to note, however, that these foods are best when purchased organic. You should do all that you can to ensure that you purchase organic foods that are not cultivated with harsh chemicals and other items. These chemicals can actually result in the development of many symptoms that are common to fibromyalgia.

While there is no known “cure” for fibromyalgia, there are many ways in which patients can live comfortably with this condition. One of the most popular methods of treating fibromyalgia naturally is to take part in a good fibromyalgia diet.

I've receive a real quality article from a woman in Illinois who has some advice about a good fibromyaliga diet.  Here is the article from Diane:

Millions of people around the world suffer from a complicated medical condition that is referred to as fibromyalgia. Individuals that suffer from this condition experience many different symptoms. These symptoms often include pain, tenderness, and a general lack of energy. There are problems within the central nervous system that result in a person’s feelings of pain and other uncomfortable sensations associated with fibromyalgia. What may be a normal sensation to one is a sensation of immense pain to another. Many patients struggle for years just to find an effective coping strategy. Many have discovered that the foods that are consumed can have a direct impact on the ability to cope effectively. Here, I will address the main components of a fibromyalgia diet, and what constitutes one that will help to soothe the symptoms of this condition.

1. If you have fibromyalgia, you should seriously consider eliminating sugar from your diet. Sugar – especially at high levels – can result in the onset of symptoms of fibromyalgia. You may actually feel as if you are drained, you may find that you are more sensitive to pain, and a wide array of other symptoms if you consume high amounts of sugar.

2. Caffeine is another substance that should be avoided in the good fibromyalgia diet. Caffeine has been linked to many different symptoms of this medical condition. Many doctors have stated that caffeine is actually a “trigger” for this condition. Other triggers include alcohol, foods that are fried and even foods that are processed.

Part 2 of Diane's article will be posted in a few days.