fibromyalgia syndrome

fi·bro·my·al·gi·a

(fī'brō-mī-al'jē-ă),

A common syndrome of chronic widespread soft-tissue pain accompanied by weakness, fatigue, and sleep disturbances; the cause is unknown. Compare: fibrositis.

Synonym(s): fibromyalgia syndrome

Fibromyalgia is a disorder of unknown cause characterized by chronic widespread aching and stiffness, involving particularly the neck, shoulders, back, and hips, which is aggravated by use of the affected muscles. The American College of Rheumatology has established diagnostic criteria that include pain on both sides of the body, both above and below the waist, as well as in an axial distribution (cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine, or anterior chest). Additionally, point tenderness must be found in at least 11 of 18 specified sites. Tender points are sharply localized and often bilaterally symmetric. Some points may correspond to sites of pain and others may be painless until palpated. Usually associated fatigue, a sense of weakness or inability to perform certain movements, paresthesia, difficulty sleeping, and headaches are found. About one fourth of patients with fibromyalgia receive partial or total disability compensation. Fibromyalgia frequently occurs in conjunction with migraine headaches, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, restless legs syndrome, chronic fatigue, and depression; symptoms are typically exacerbated by emotional stress. The prevalence in the U.S. is estimated at 1-3% of the population, with all races and socioeconomic strata affected about equally. Most patients (90%) are adult women. The onset of symptoms usually occurs before age 50. The disorder is chronic but not progressive. Routine hematologic, serologic, and imaging studies yield uniformly normal results. However, the sleep EEG typically shows intrusions of alpha waves into non-REM sleep and infrequent progression to stage 3 and stage 4 sleep. One third of patients with fibromyalgia have low insulinlike growth factor (IGF) levels. Elevation of cerebrospinal fluid substance P, depression of cortisol production, and orthostatic hypotension have also been reported. Most patients experience moderate to severe disability, but symptoms can usually be mitigated by treatment. Effective treatment programs include education, a regular program of low-impact aerobic exercise, and physical therapy as needed. Cognitive therapy and group therapy are often helpful. About one third of patients respond to pharmacologic agents such as antidepressants (amitriptyline, fluoxetine) and muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine).

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

fibromyalgia syndrome

Fibrositis, tension myalgia Psychiatry A condition characterized by muscular pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, headaches, IBS–possibly linked to anxiety and panic disorders Management Exercise, benzodiazepines, SSRIs, TCAs. See Chronic fatigue syndrome.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

fi·bro·my·al·gi·a

, fibromyalgia syndrome (fī'brō-mī-al'jē-ă, sin'drōm)

A multifactorial condition involving any combination of these symptoms; disordered sleep, low stamina, cognitive difficulty, and chronic diffused aching and stiffness of muscles and soft tissue. May involve presence of tender points, typically distributed to all four quadrants of the body.
See also: tender point

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

fibromyalgia syndrome

A condition featuring long-persisting general aches and pains, stiffness, fatigue and a considerable number of different points on the body that are tender to pressure. The condition affects women far more often than men. The cause is unknown and extensive investigations show no definite objective abnormality. Some experts believe that this is a psychiatric condition but the psychological problems it features are not typical of any such disorder.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

fi·bro·my·al·gi·a

, fibromyalgia syndrome (fī'brō-mī-al'jē-ă, sin'drōm)

A common syndrome of unknown cause of chronic widespread soft-tissue pain accompanied by weakness, fatigue, and sleep disturbances; characterized by chronic widespread aching and stiffness, involving particularly the neck, shoulders, back, and hips, which is aggravated by use of the affected muscles. Fibromyalgia frequently occurs in conjunction with migraine headaches, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, irritable bowel syndrome, restless legs syndrome, chronic fatigue, and depression; symptoms are typically exacerbated by emotional stress.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012

Patient discussion about fibromyalgia syndrome

Q. Is it Fibromyalgia. My uncle is suffering with extreme body pain. Doctors say it is fibromyalgia. His sedimentation rate and creactive protine is 3 times high than normal. would this confirm the diagnosis of FM? What is its actual symptom?

A. There's not one diagnostic test that can confirm fibromyalgia, and the diagnosis is made on a clinical basis according to the signs and symptoms of this disease (extreme fatigue, pain in different areas in the body and more). However, a high CRP level and sedimentation rate does confirm some sort of inflammatory process is going on and can be a clue to the diagnosis.

Q. Is it Fibromyalgia. My uncle is suffering with extreme body pain. Doctors say it is fibromyalgia. His sedimentation rate and c reactive protine is 3 times high than normal. would this confirm the diagnosis of FM? What is its actual symptom?

A. There's not one diagnostic test that can confirm fibromyalgia, and the diagnosis is made on a clinical basis according to the signs and symptoms of this disease (extreme fatigue, pain in different areas in the body and more). However, a high CRP level and sedimentation rate does confirm some sort of inflammatory process is going on and can be a clue to the diagnosis.

Q. how do you treat Fibromyalgia?

A. I agree seeing a doctor is important! Almost everyone I have contact with has had to use prescription medications b/c OTC did not work for them. One friend said alevee gave her a lillte help. I have found walking alittle everyday helps even if for only 20 minutes there are so many different opinions and i educated myself from site for fibromyalgia and tried some of the reccommendations. BUT for me a posotive outlook and support has been my greatest help along with my faith! I take 8 different medications but only 2 just for the fibro.
Good Luck and if you want to talk please email me!

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