Fibromyalgia Fact Sheet
What is Fibromyalgia?
Who is affected by this illness?
What are the symptoms of FM?
How is FM diagnosed?
How is FM treated?
What causes FM?
What problems do FM suffers face?
How do FM suffers deal with chronic pain?
What are the myths about this illness?
What are the myths about this illness?
Why is public education so important?
What is being done to find a cure?
What is Fibromyalgia?
FM is a chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons-the fibrous tissues in the body. In addition to pain and fatigue, other symptoms include unrefreshed sleep (likely due to a number of sleep anomalies), irritable bowel, chronic headaches, morning stiffness, cognitive or memory impairments, reduced coordination and decreased endurance. The American College of Rheumatology published the diagnostic criteria for FMS in 1990. This selection criteria was shown to be 88% accurate in its ability to identify patients with this illness. (1)
Who is affected by this illness?
Statistics show that 3 to 6 percent of the American population has symptoms that point to Fibromyalgia. (2) It is estimated anywhere from six to twelve million people suffer from the devastating effects of this illness. Seventy five percent of suffers are woman. The illness usually affects people between the ages of 20 to 60, often times striking when a person is in their 20's or 30's. It can however, affect people of all ages.
What are the symptoms of FM?
Although pain and fatigue are the two major symptoms of FMS, other symptoms vary from individual to individual. They include: Muscular Pain: 100% Fatigue: 96% Insomnia: 86% Joint Pain: 72% Headaches: 60% Restless Legs: 56% Numbness and Tingling: 52% Impaired Memory: 46% Leg Cramps: 42% Impaired Concentration: 41% Nervousness: 32% Major Depression: 20% (3). Recent research has also shown the following anomalies: --Spinal fluid substance P levels are elevated threefold in FM patients. -Spinal fluid levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) are elevated fourfold in FMS patients. -Brain imaging has turned up significant changes using SPECT scanning which measures cerebral blood flow. (4)
How is FM diagnosed?
The average person takes five years and spends thousands of dollars in medical bills just to receive a diagnosis-all because few physicians possess the education to diagnose and treat FM. (5) For many patients their doctors were unable to diagnose their problem because most laboratory tests prove negative. Doctors still often incorrectly tell patients that the pain is in their head. Another diagnostic problem, is that FMS symptoms are common in other conditionsChronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lupus, hypothyroidism and parathyroidism. In 1990 the newly established diagnostic criteria for FM stated that a patient had to have a history of widespread pain for at least three months and pain in at least 11 of the 18 specifically located tender points. These along with other symptoms help distinguish FM from other conditions.
How is FM treated?
There is no cure for FM. Current treatments vary from patient to patient, but normally work towards improving sleep and eliminating pain. Since many body functions depend on deep level (stage 4) sleep, and many people with FM don't achieve this, the sleep problems greatly contribute to the symptoms of the illness. During deep sleep the body produces antibodies, repairs tissues, and possibly regulates various neurotransmitters, hormones and immune system chemicals. Doctors recommend: low doses of medicines that increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters that regulate sleep, pain and immune system function), non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs for pain, trigger point injections with lidocaine, physical therapy, acupuncture & acupressure, relaxation techniques, and gentle exercise.
What causes FM?
The cause of FM is still a mystery. The onset however, is often triggered by a traumatic shock to the systema bad infection, car accident, surgery, etc. It is thought that the trigger doesn't cause the illness, but may awaken an underlying physiological abnormality that's present in the patient's body. Theories on what these "abnormalities" could be include: alternations in neurotransmitter regulation, immune system function, and hormone control. Research is currently using new brain imaging techniques to explore brain function.
What problems do FM suffers face?
Since the onset of FMS can be abrupt, a person life can be virtually completely altered in a very short period of time. The majority of FMS suffers are physically active, high achievers who live very productive lives. From the onset of the illness, the pain and fatigue impair a person from living the life they are accustom to. Many FMers have to stop working, quit doing physical activities and even become socially isolated. The pain and fatigue can place a person in bed unable to function. The emotional ramifications are many. Getting a diagnosis can be difficult, so that causes a reaction of great fear and frustration. Many patients are made to feel like "it's their fault", which undermines their self confidence and overall attitudes. People don't like being around a person who is chronically ill, so many lose the support of friends and family. Because of the lack of information about this disease most patients are unable to get any kind of disability. Supporting one's self becomes a major concern. Learning to live with irritating symptoms like constant pain, ringing in your ears, muscle spasms, concentration problems, and insomnia can be overwhelming. A sufferer of FM has to learn a completely new way of life.
How do FM suffers deal with chronic pain?
Like any illness which has the component of pain, although some medicines do help, the major aspects of dealing, have to be mental. Learning to accept and live with the pain that exists. People with FM often try the following: Biofeedback, meditation, yoga, relaxation, aromatherapy, message, and gentle exercise.
What are the myths about this illness?
The myths about FM are many! Some myths include the following: It's a psychological not a physical illness (it's all in your head).all FM sufferers are depressedthis illness is the patients fault, it's not a real diseaseyou are a weak person if you can't deal with this illnessif you stop dwelling on your symptoms they'll go awaywomen have a hard time dealing with getting older, they have to learn that aches and pains are going to happen as they ageif you lose weight and exercise you'll be fineand the myths go on and on!
Why is public education so important?
In order for patients to be able to receive proper diagnosis and treatment, maybe even be cured, both the public and medical community need to learn more about this devastating disease. Awareness will eliminate the myths, improve patient support and encourage research. FM patients often times need financial assistance in the form of disability. Judges need to be made aware that this is a true illness that can leave a person disabled. Like any other group of people afflicted with a chronic illness, we deserve the same treatment and rights. Education is the key to accomplish this goal.
What is being done to find a cure?
Currently there are very few dollars being allocated to find a cure for FM. Many theories exist, but research dollars are needed to explore these theories. Efforts are being made to encourage Congress to increase the NIH budget to accommodate the growing needs of FM research. FM has become the second most diagnosed rhuematological disease in our country today.(3) However, NIH spending levels are as follows: 1993--$334,000 (0.2% of the annual budget) 1996-0.6% of the annual budget.(4) Change needs to occur!
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© NFAC 1999
(1) Wolfe F., et al, The ACR Criteria/Classification of FMS, Arthritis & Rheum, Feb. 1990.
(2) Dr. Geetha Reddy, Rheumatologist, University of Missouri Health Sciences Center.
(3) According to the National Fibromyalgia Research Association.
(4) Thorson, Kristin, The American Fibromyalgia Foundation, "Fighting for what you Deserve!".
(5) Goldenberg D. FMS: An Emerging but Controversial Syndrome, JAMA (p.2782), May 1987.
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