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