What Exactly is Fibromyaglia?

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a difficult illness to understand. It is chronic and widespread and affects more women than men. The causes of Fibro aren't really known for sure - but some thoughts are that it can be hereditary or can be caused by trauma or injury. Fibro is an illness that impacts both the brain and the nervous system and can virtually cause symptoms over the entire body. Many people think that because they cannot 'see' anything wrong - and the person has a host of widespread symptoms, that the illness is psychological. But nothing is further from the truth. Fibro is real - I can attest to it - as can many others with this illness.

Adrienne Dellwo, in an article on About.com, has explained it like this, "Imagine you're planning a party and expecting about 20 guests. Three or four friends told you they'd come early to help you out. But they don't show, and instead of 20 guests, you get 100. You're overwhelmed.

That's what's happening with pain signals in someone who has fibromyalgia. The cells send too many pain messages (party guests), up to five times as many as in a healthy person. That can turn mild pressure or even an itch into pain.

When those pain signals reach the brain, they're processed by something called serotonin. People with fibromyalgia, however, don't have enough serotonin (the friends who didn't show up to help), leaving the brain overwhelmed.

This is why people with fibromyalgia have pain in tissues that show no sign of damage. It's not imagined pain; it's misinterpreted sensation that the brain turns into very real pain.

Other substances in the patient's brain amplify signals -- essentially, "turning up the volume" of everything. That can include light, noise and odor on top of pain, and it can overload the brain. This can lead to confusion, fear, anxiety and panic attacks." (http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/whatisfibromyalgia/a/understandfibro.htm)

She also has a great list of Fibro symptoms. Most of us who suffer from this chronic illness have many, if not all, of these symptoms at one time or another. It's not to say we have all the symptoms all of the time - but enough..most of the time that we generally feel rotten and day to day life can be very difficult. Here is a generalized list (http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/whatisfibromyalgia/a/fibrosymptoms.htm) one of the best that I've found:

General Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Delayed reactions to physical exertion or stressful events
• Other family members with fibromyalgia (genetic predisposition)
• Sweats
  
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Cravings for carbohydrate and chocolate, and sweets
  
• Headaches & migraines

Muscle & Tissue-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Morning stiffness
• Muscle twitches
• Diffuse swelling
• Fibrocystic (lumpy, tender) breasts (as an overlapping condition)

Sinus & Allergy-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Allergies
  
• Post nasal drip
• Runny nose
• Mold & yeast sensitivity
• Shortness of breath
• Earaches & itchy ears
• Ringing ears (Tinitis)
  
• Thick secretions

Sleep-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Light and/or broken sleep pattern with unrefreshing sleep (waking up tired)
  
• Fatigue
• Sleep starts (falling sensations)
• Twitchy muscles at night/Restless Leg Syndrome (an overlapping condition)
  
• Teeth grinding (TMJ)
  

Reproductive Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Menstrual problems
• PMS - from mild to severe (as an overlapping condition)
• Loss of libido/loss of interest in sex
  
• Impotence

Abdominal & Excretory Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Bloating & nausea
• Abdominal cramps
• Pelvic pain
• IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome (diarrhea or constipation, irregularity - as an overlapping condition)
• Urinary frequency

Cognitive ( known as Fibrofog) Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Difficulty speaking known words
• Directional disorientation
• Loss of ability to distinguish some shades of colors
• Short-term memory impairment
• Confusion
• Trouble concentrating
• Staring into space before brain "kicks in"
• Inability to recognize familiar surroundings

Sensory Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Sensitivity to odors
• Sensitivity to pressure changes, temperature & humidity
• Sensitivity to light and noise
  
• Night driving difficulty
• Sensory overload

Emotional Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Panic attacks
• Depression -from mild to severe (as an overlapping condition)
• Tendency to cry easily
• Free-floating anxiety (not associated with situation or object)
• Mood swings
• Unaccountable irritability

Heart-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

• Mitral Valve Prolapse (as an overlapping condition)
• Rapid, fluttery, irregular heartbeat
• Pain that mimics heart attack

Skin & Nail-Related Fibromyalgia Signs & Symptoms

• Pronounced nail ridges
• Nails that curve under
• Mottled skin
• Bruise or scar easily
• Tissue overgrowth (non-cancerous tumors, ingrown hairs, heavy and splitting cuticles, adhesions)

As I said, this is by no means an exhaustive list. But it is daunting - is it any wonder that many of us are depressed most of the time or have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning?

Next time - Energy Levels: Why Fibro Sufferers Don't Have Any

~Debra

Introduction

Hello and Welcome to The Fibro Diaries! My name is Debra. I have Fibromyalgia (sounds like the beginning of an AA meeting!).

I was first diagnosed with FMS in Feb. 2006, 9 months after I had back surgery for a pinched sciatic nerve in my right leg. Fibro often appears strongest after a traumatic event, such as surgeries, car accidents, emotional trauma. I suspect that I really had been experiencing symptoms of it after my car accident in 1998, but just never knew what it was. I had been sick for a long time - bosses complained, family complained...I complained. I always had 'something' that kept me sick and tired and unable to be the those things that others needed me to be.

I have been a single mom since 1998, having been married twice, with 3 fantastic boys. My oldest is 26, and currently living at home; the middle child - our responsible one - is serving in the Army Reserves in Georgia; and the youngest is just starting high school. We also have one cat - or rather a cat that thinks she's the baby, Missy. She is my baby - my confidant, my cuddler. We live in a tiny 2-bedroom apartment in a small town that seems to be growing every time I turn around. We may not have much but we're happy and close.

I have a fantastic job and a wonderful boss who makes is possible for me to continue to be independent - something we FMS sufferers have a difficult time with. I can honestly say that I LOVE my job and that is something not everyone has in life. I believe in the passion and purpose of my job with Design-her Gals, to raise funds and awareness for stage IV breast cancer. My auntie died from Breast cancer - and many members of my family, including my father - currently suffer from one form of cancer or another. I have never been much of a "cause" supporter (other than my own), but this is one I firmly believe in - as it is close to my heart.

The year after being diagnosed with FMS was one of the hardest I've ever had to deal with on a personal level. Learning to accept that you have a chronic illness, amongst other medical issues, is challenging at best. It changes your life, the way you look at the world and yourself. I have come to accept it now but I am still learning to live with it - its a daily struggle, one I share with many other women and men out there.

The purpose of this diary is two-fold: 1) to educate the "normals" about what it is like to live with this illness. So many people believe that we are lying or faking - we don't have any obvious outward signs of being disabled or sick. I hope that through a peek into what I suffer - what many of us suffer each day - others who do not have this illness will be educated in empathy for this illness you cannot 'see'. 2) to empower those of us who have FMS to support one another, to share our stories, our little 'miracles', our suggestions and information. There are so many women out there who suffer in darkness and feel that something is wrong and no one knows how they feel - only that their lives are miserable and they feel miserable. I hope to be able to reach these women - to help them see that there ARE others who suffer with them, who DO feel as they do, and to know they aren't alone..ever!

Comments - I welcome them. However, I will screen them first. Through experience, there are many who only wish to post comments in order to harm, hurt, or make others feel rotten. We suffer enough and if that is your intention, I will not post your comments. But if you disagree with what I'm saying, the information I present, and can do so in a constructive way that isn't set out to 'attack' anyone, then these comments will I gladly post, as well as all the positive and caring comments that come through (if any!).

Please know that I do not post anything here to discriminate, slander, harm or hurt, or otherwise mislead anyone. These are my personal observations, choices, feelings, and the information that I've gathered in my research into this illness. I make no claims by any means that this is the ONLY viewpoint out there or the only information available, and anything I post here should NEVER be taken in lieu of a doctor or therapist's advice.

Once again, I welcome you to The Fibro Diaries and truly hope you will find knowledge, comfort, and support in these pages.

~Debra