Fibromyalgia

Introduction: Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia, once called fibrositis, is a condition affecting the muscles or joints that is often difficult to diagnose. It is one of a group of conditions with vague symptoms and may need to be distinguished from chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, Type 2 diabetes, depression, Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, or various other conditions. Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome share many common characteristics, and may be misdiagnosed as each other, or both misdiagnosed as depression.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

• Musculoskeletal pain
• Muscle spasms
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Tender points - such as neck, spine, shoulders, or hips.

See full list of 10 symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Fibromyalgia:

• Fatigue: Related Home Tests:
• in
• Home Anemia Tests
• Home Thyroid Function Tests
• Home Adrenal Function Tests
• Home Calcium Deficiency Tests
• Home HIV Tests
• out
• Thyroid: Home Testing:
• Home TSH Tests
• Home Adrenal Function Tests
• Adrenal Gland Health: Home Testing:

Medical Textbooks Online about Fibromyalgia

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Fibromyalgia

• American College of Rheumatology (ACR) list of tender point sites

Read more about tests for Fibromyalgia

Wrongly Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?

• Misdiagnosis of Fibromyalgia
• Failure to diagnose Fibromyalgia
• Underlying causes of Fibromyalgia (possibly wrongly diagnosed)
• Failure to diagnose Fibromyalgia

Misdiagnosis and Fibromyalgia

Cluster of diseases with difficult diagnosis issues: There is a well-known list of medical conditions that are all somewhat difficult to diagnose, and all can present in a variety of different severities....read more »

Leg cramps at night a classic sign: The symptom of having leg muscle cramps, particularly at night, is a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes....read more »

Pituitary conditions often undiagnosed cause of symptoms: There are a variety of symptoms that can be caused by a pituitary disorder (see symptoms of pituitary disorders). For example, fatigue, headache, weight gain, diabetes...read more »

Yeast infection not to be missed: Yeast infections can affect the baby’s mouth and mother’s breast and can hence threaten the continuation of breastfeeding but to the extreme...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Fibromyalgia

Causes of Fibromyalgia

Read more about causes of Fibromyalgia.

More information about causes of Fibromyalgia:

• Triggers for Fibromyalgia
• Fibromyalgia as a symptom
• Medical news summaries relating to Causes of Fibromyalgia

Treatments for Fibromyalgia

• Aerobic exercises
• Heat
• Hot baths
• Heat lamps
• Massage

See full list of 15 treatments for Fibromyalgia

Videos for Fibromyalgia

Patient Surveys for Fibromyalgia

• Patient Profile Survey
  Take Survey  View Results
• Survey about the symptoms of your Fibromyalgia
  Take Survey  View Results

Reseach about Fibromyalgia

Visit our research pages for current research about Fibromyalgia treatments.

Clinical Trials for Fibromyalgia

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Fibromyalgia include:

• Clinical Trial Testing the Safety and Efficacy of Fluoxetine in Juvenile Fibromyalgia - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Fluoxetine
• Coping Skills Training for Adolescents With Fibromyalgia - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• A Multicentre Trial to Determine the Efficacy and Safety of AD-337 in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - AD 337
• Clinical Study on Implicit Learning, Comorbidity and Stress Vulnerability in Chronic Functional Pain - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Neurotropin to Treat Fibromyalgia - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Neurotropin

See full list of 78 Clinical Trials for Fibromyalgia

Statistics for Fibromyalgia

• Medical statistics for Fibromyalgia
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Fibromyalgia
• Death and Mortality statistics for Fibromyalgia
• Society statistics for Fibromyalgia

Medical Guidebooks and Ebooks for Fibromyalgia

• Icon Health Sourcebook for Fibromyalgia

See all guides and ebooks for Fibromyalgia

Stories from Users Related to Fibromyalgia

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User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Fibromyalgia, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Fibromyalgia

Questions and Answers About Fibromyalgia: NIAMS (Excerpt)

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. "Tender points" refers to tenderness that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. People with this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Fibromyalgia: NIAMS)

Questions and Answers About Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases: NIAMS (Excerpt)

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes pain and stiffness throughout the tissues that support and move the bones and joints. Pain and localized tender points occur in the muscles and tendons, particularly those of the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. Patients may experience widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases: NIAMS)

Fibromyalgia Research Challenges and Opportunities: NIAMS (Excerpt)

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas of the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips called "tender points." People with this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms. (Source: excerpt from Fibromyalgia Research Challenges and Opportunities: NIAMS)

Definitions of Fibromyalgia:

Inflammation of white fibrous tissues (especially muscle sheaths) - (Source - WordNet 2.1)

Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Fibromyalgia as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet