This lens is about living with fibromyalgia. It includes resources on the symptoms of fibromyalgia, medications that can be helpful, types of exercise, and other related issues.
I personally have had fibromyalgia for the past 20 years. It has certainly been a challenge.
Each individual with fibromyalgia finds some things that are helpful for the pain, fatigue, depression, and other symptoms. Unfortunately, these solutions don't always apply to everyone else with fibromyalgia.
However, I'd like to share some resources on fibromyalgia that may help you find solutions that work for you.
To start, here's an excellent general article from Wikipedia on fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
There are two symptoms that are pretty universal among those with fibromyalgia: pain and fatigue.
Many, many other symptoms are associated with fibromyalgia, but not everyone has the same "collection" of symptoms.
The resources below describe some of these symptoms.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Fibromyalgia Signs and Symptoms
- Provides information on symptoms such as widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches, facial pain, and heightened sensitivity. Lists additional symptoms. From the Mayo Clinic.
- Fibromyalgia
- Describes the symptoms of fibromyalgia, along with a discussion of diagnosis, suggested causes, treatment, and prognosis. Includes diagram of trigger points. From MedlinePlus.
- Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Symptoms include pain, fatigue, "fibrofog," headaches, dizziness, and intestinal disturbances.
- Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
- Describes the symptoms of pain, fatigue, sleep disorders, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), and lists other common symptoms.
Excellent Book on Fibromyalgia
Note that this book will not have the most recent information on medications, since the second edition was published in 2001.
I have the first version (published in 1998) and still find it invaluable.
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual (2nd Edition)
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 12/02/2008) 
Fibromyalgia Diagnosis
Unfortunately, there currently are no laboratory tests to diagnose fibromyalgia.
The American College of Rheumatology has established a list of criteria that must be met before the diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be made.
Information on those criteria is included in the resources below.
- Fibromyalgia Screening & Diagnosis
- Describes the guidelines to be used in diagnosing fibromyalgia. Includes diagram of trigger points. From the Mayo Clinic.
- Fibromyalgia
- Includes information on diagnostic criteria, symptoms, possible causes, and common treatments. Includes diagram of trigger points.
- Fibromyalgia Diagnosis
- Details the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for classifying fibromyalgia. Includes trigger point diagram and information on testing these trigger points.
Fibromyalgia and Exercise
Many people with fibromyalgia, myself included, have found that exercise is very helpful - especially walking. However, you must start very, very slowly.
I mean, instead of walking around the block, try just walking to the end of the block and back - or less, if necessary. After a couple of days of this, then add a little more distance and do that for a few days. Everything has to be very incremental or you'll cause more pain and want to give up on exercising.
Over time you will learn what your limit is - that is, how much you can exercise without causing further pain, but also without holding back so much that there is no benefit. And, as time goes on, that limit will gradually increase.
The types of exercise that have helped me are:
1. walking (this has helped the most)
2. stretching in the morning and before bed
3. strengthening exercises using one-pound weights
Check with your doctor and/or physical therapist to learn what exercises might be best for you.
Fibromyalgia and Exercise
- Fibromyalgia and Exercise
- Discusses types of exercise that are helpful with fibromyalgia and how to pace your exercise program.
- Fibromyalgia and Exercise
- Explains how to develop an exercise program to help your fibromyalgia. Discusses setting goals, starting slowly, avoiding pain, and selecting the type of exercise.
- Exercise and Fibromyalgia
- Gives some good tips on the benefits of exercise for those who have fibromyalgia and on how to establish exercise habits that you can maintain.
- Exercise for Fibromyalgia
- A group of articles on how exercise can help fibromyalgia symptoms. Includes a video that assists you in evaluating your fitness level and allows you to exercise along with the instructor.
Fibromyalgia and Medications
If possible, and if your doctor agrees, it's usually helpful to try one new medication at a time, giving it enough of a trial to know its benefits and side effects. Starting multiple medications at one time can cause confusion about which medication is helping - or not helping - and which medication might be causing side effects.
Above all, find a competent doctor who you trust and who is willing to spend the time to help you find the right treatment for your fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia and Medications
- Fibromyalgia Treatment
- Discusses some medications that can help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia and improve sleep. From the Mayo Clinic.
- Medications For Fibromyalgia
- Excellent article medications for treating fibromyalgia, including a discussion of pain control. Written in 2006 (before Lyrica became approved for fibromyalgia). By Devin Starlanyl.
Fibromyalgia and Pain Management
- Pain and Fibromyalgia
- A group of articles about how to cope with the pain of fibromyalgia. From the National Fibromyalgia Association.
- Overcoming Chronic Pain: Managing Fibromyalgia Pain and More
- Article discusses pain management in patients with fibromyalgia, including information on medications and other treatments. Published in 2004.
- Lyrica May Help Ease Fibromyalgia Pain
- Information on Lyrica, a newly-approved medication for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia Support Groups & Forums
- ProHealth's Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Message Board
- Very active message board for those with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Requires registration.
- Fibrohugs Support Group
- Online support group covers fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (now known as myalgic encephalomyelitis). Topics include education and awareness, related illnesses, medications, coping, and disability issues.
- Fibromyalgia Support Group Listings
- Database of support groups for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Search by state, city, or zipcode.
- Directory of Support Groups
- Fibromyalgia support groups listed by state. From the National Fibromyalgia Association.
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Thanks for stopping by!
dc64 wrote...
I don't have this condition, but I beleive my best friends brother may have had it, but it went undiagnosed. Those of you who suffer in this way, but keep your heads held high...God bless you. 5 stars
Posted September 10, 2008
NZgurugirl wrote...
Hey there
I also have fibromyalgia. Maybe you might find my lens, Top 10 ways to help combat Fibromyalgia - for under $20! I've listed all the things that help me!
Posted August 19, 2008
aussiescribe wrote...
5 stars, favoured, joined fan club. Thank you for these excellent resources. I went through 4 GPs before anyone could even diagnise fibromyalgia, the other 3 thought it was all in my mind. My absolute best treatment: daily muscle stretching (refer to Callan Pinkney's books for exercises) & electric back massager (mine is from Homedics). Visit my Feng Shui lens to learn how to attract love & prosperity.
Posted June 14, 2008
DGGallery wrote...
Very good lens with lots of info for folks. I also have fibro for the last 12yrs. One thing that I have discovered is ATTITUDE has some much to do with it. I refuse to let this beat me! I will continue to do the things I love and love life! Never give up, never give in! (gentle fibro hugs)
Debbie
Posted May 17, 2008
iamjoanna wrote...
I'm definitely going to check the list of resources on your lense.
Posted May 08, 2008
