One of the first steps in studying fibromyalgia and its effects is to understand that it is a real, debilitating condition. For many years, the word fibromyalgia was connected with some phantom disease affecting hypochondriacs. The pain and discomfort were only seen as a by-product of depression or stress. But fibromyalgia is real and it affects millions of Americans. Being informed is the first step in managing the condition.

What Fibromyalgia is….and isn’t

Fibromyalgia is a medical condition characterized by chronic, widespread pain and tender points throughout the body. Other symptoms include non-restorative sleep, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression. There is no diagnostic test for fibromyalgia so it is commonly misdiagnosed. Doctors once referred to what we now call fibromyalgia as fibrositis. “Fibro” means muscle and “itis” means inflammation. Now, doctors know that fibromyalgia is not linked to any inflammation, thus the change in name.

Since fibromyalgia is not linked to inflammation, it is not related to arthritis. The pain often resembles arthritis symptoms, so some patients do seek treatment from a rheumatologist. Since fibro is not linked to inflammation, those suffering cannot find relief from anti-inflammatory medications that often help arthritis patients.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (”FMS“) is also not categorized as a disease. A disease is a medical condition with a specific cause and with explicit symptoms that can be discovered through lab tests. FMS is a condition that is defined only by its symptoms.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (”FMS”) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (”CFS”)

As patients try and get a diagnosis for their pain and sleeplessness, they often find that doctors have difficulty distinguishing between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. This is because some of the symptoms of these two conditions overlap. The fatigue affiliated with fibro is more of a secondary symptom; a byproduct of the chronic pain. When suffering from CFS, the fatigue is the primary symptom and is the primary complaint. So, with FMS the pain comes first, followed with fatigue. With chronic fatigue syndrome, a person will start with the extreme fatigue and may follow up with minor pain.

FMS and Arthritis

As mentioned above, fibromyalgia is not connected to inflammation of any kind. Inflammation is the main cause of arthritis. This is where the two conditions differ the most. Their symptoms can be similar: pain, stiffness, achiness, and fatigue. It is where the pain occurs that is the key difference. If suffering from arthritis, the pain is in the joints. With FMS, the pain can be widespread and not focused in the joints. Arthritis can cause permanent damage to joints, while there is no permanent physical damage caused by fibromyalgia. Blood tests and x-rays can help to determine if someone is indeed suffering from arthritis instead of fibromyalgia. A source of stress for fibromyalgia sufferers is the fact that there are medications that can relieve arthritis pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can help reduce the inflammation causing arthritis pain. These same medications will not help pain associated with fibro.

Who Suffers From Fibromyalgia?

Although there is no one cause for fibromyalgia syndrome, there are factors that increase your chances of being diagnosed with the condition. Women between the ages of 20 and 55 are more likely than men to suffer from FMS. If someone already suffers from inflammation of the muscles or joints, that person is more likely to develop fibromyalgia. Physical trauma or prolonged stress are also factors that can lead to FMS. Some of these risk factors are unavoidable such as your gender or age. Other factors such as stress and injury are somewhat controllable and this is where a patient should focus their attention.

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