So what is Fibromyalgia?

So let’s cover it further.  And from here on, I will interchangeably use Fibromyalgia and Fibro.

First off, what Fibro isn’t.

It is not a musculoskeletal disorder.  You can’t have it in just certain places in your body.  If you have localized complaints, they are probably not caused by Fibro but it could very well amplify the symptoms. Fibro is a biochemical disorder which affects the entire body.  Because it is a central nervous system disorder.

It is not osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.  Osteoarthritis is caused by mechanical wear and tear on joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks the body’s joints.  So this type of condition is just in the joint areas.

Muscle fibers are not causing the problem, although there may be cellular changes caused by the biochemical Fibro dysfunction.  And Fibro is not progressive.  According to Devin Starlanyl of Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain A Survival Manual, “If your illness becomes significantly worse over time, then there is some perpetuating or aggravating factor or some co-existing condition that has not been addressed.  If you identify that factor and deal with it thoroughly and promptly, your symptoms should ease considerably (italics mine).  Fibro is not a diagnosis of exclusivity.  You may have coexisting conditions, such as MS, Arthritis and/or Myofascial Pain, and still have Fibro pain amplification.”

It is not the same as Chronic Myofascial Pain, Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS); however, they may be in the same family of central nervous system dysfunctions.

And it is not infectious.

Are you getting the picture?  It is very complex isn’t it?

Now, what is Fibro?

Fibromyalgia is real.  I start off with this statement because despite all the years of MANY women (and more men now) being diagnosed, there are still some in the medical community who do not recognize it as a real condition.  It’s a sad truth as it really adds another layer of stress for the Fibro sufferers.

But things are looking up!  As the past recent years, more research and papers have been written on this disabilitating condition.  Research supports Fibro as a “distinct clinical syndrome deserving of informed medical care and continued research to better understand chronic widespread pain.”  The American College of Rheumatology, the AMA, the WHO, and the National Institutes of Health have all accepted Fibromyalgia as a legitimate clinical entity.  (per Devin Starlanyl)  So, if you believe you may need to see if you have Fibromyalgia and the doctor doesn’t believe you, then it’s time to get a second, third opinion until you find one who knows how to treat this condition.

Fibro is a complex syndrome characterized by pain amplification, musculoskeletal discomfort, and systemic symptoms.  It is now firmly established that a central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction is primarily responsible for the increased pain sensitivity of fibromyalgia.