Fibromyalgia Syndrome [FMS] is a condition of widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. Its causes is still unknown. It occurs in all ages, with slight tendency towards women rather than men.

The pain presents in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons; the soft fibrous tissues in the body. Sufferers describe the pain as an aching all over, such as that experienced after an intense workout where muscles and tendons have been overworked or pulled, or when suffering or recovering from a virus.

Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn.

An additional symptom is complete lack of energy, as though they have been unplugged from their power supply.

Many experts in the field of FMS and chronic fatigue syndrome [CFS] believe these two syndromes may be one and the same. Another condition, Gulf War Syndrome also aligns closely with FMS and CFS.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Pain - deep muscular aching, throbbing, shooting, and stabbing. Feeling of swollen and heavy limbs

Intense Burning Sensations - associated with the pain and stiffness, worse in the morning. May lead to damage to muscles used repetitively.

Fatigue - mild in some patients; debilitating in others. Commonly described as "brain fatigue" where the patients feel totally drained of energy. Feeling as though limbs are made of lead.

Cognitive or Memory Impairment - Difficulty in Concentration. Simple mental tasks become extremely difficult. Dizziness

Sleep Disorder - associated sleep disorder called the alpha-EEG anomaly. Most FMS patients fall asleep easily, but fail to attain deep sleep levels [stage 4 sleep]. Sleep is constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity. Patients awaken tired or unrefreshed.

Sleep Disorders - Alpha-EEG may be associated with Sleep Apnea, Bruxism [teeth grinding], jerky limbs during sleep, often known as Restless Legs Syndrome [difficulty sitting still in the evenings].

Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas, and nausea are commonly found in FMS sufferers. [40 to 70% of cases].

Gastric Reflux - Acid reflux or gastroesophogeal reflux disease [GRED] also occurs with the same high frequency.

Chronic Headaches - Recurrent migraine or tension-type headaches are experienced in about 70% of FMS patients.

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome - 75% of FMS patients have a varying degree of jaw discomfort. TMJ or TMD Syndrome causes extreme jaw-related face and head pain in 25% of FMS patients. In most cases, the pain relates to muscles and ligaments surrounding the jaw joint, rather than the joint itself.

PMS - Premenstrual syndrome and painful periods

Chest Pain

Irritable Bladder - frequency of urination

Heightened Senses - skin sensitivities, sensitive to odors, loud noises, bright lights

Dry eyes and mouth - especially upon waking. Itching eyes during the day.

These symptoms of FMS vary greatly between individuals and may be aggravated by conditions such as:

Environmental factors - changes in weather, cold or drafty environments.
Infections, allergies and hormonal fluctuations [PMS and menopausal states])
Stress, depression, anxiety and over-exertion.

Possible Causes of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

The cause of FMS remains unknown, but what is becoming more apparent is that the condtion is ofter set off by other 'triggering events'.

Typical triggering events include: viral or bacterial infections, traumatic events such as an automobile accident, or other disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or hypothyroidism. These triggering events don't cause FMS, rather they awaken the underlying physiological abnormality already present.

Physiological abnormalities relating to pain-related chemical transmitters [substance P, nerve growth factor, serotonin, and norepinephrine), immune system function [ elevated levels of cytokines], sleep physiology, and hormonal irregularities are all being investigated as possible triggers.