*COMING SOON* ||FIBRO/CHRONIC FATIGUE FORUM||

DO YOU HAVE FIBRO OR CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME? I DO!!!
I HOPE THIS SITE WILL BE OF SOME USE TO
YOU IN YOUR QUEST FOR ANSWERS.

WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA?

The Following Text Comes From The Arthritis Foundations Website
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Fibromyalgia (fye-bro-my-AL-gee-ah) is an arthritis-related condition that is characterized by generalized muscular pain and fatigue. The term "fibromyalgia" means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. This condition is referred to as a "syndrome" because it's a set of signs and symptoms that occur together.

Fibromyalgia is especially confusing and often misunderstood condition. Because its symptoms are quite common and laboratory tests are generally normal, people with fibromyalgia were once told that their condition was "all in their head." However, medical studies have proven that fibromyalgia does indeed exist, and it is estimated to affect about 2 percent of the U.S. population today.

DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR FIBRO AND CFS
FIBRO-

A. Widespread pain in all four quadrants of their body for a minimum of three months
B. At least 11 of the 18 specified tender points
These 18 sites used for diagnosis cluster around the neck, shoulder, chest, hip, knee and elbow regions.
Over 75 other tender points have been found to exist, but are not used for diagnostic purposes.

CFS-

A. Fatigue
B. Four or more of the following symptoms:
Impaired memory or concentration problems
Tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes in neck region (note that they do not have to be swollen but just tender; this can be a problem for people with FMS who have tenderness in these areas as well)
Sore throat (but may not show signs of infection)
Muscle pain
Multi-joint pain (but not arthritis)
New onset headaches (tension-type or migraine)
Unrefreshing sleep (wake up in the morning feeling unrested)
Post-exertional malaise (fatigue, pain and flu-like symptoms after exercise

SYMPTOMOLOGY OF FIBROMYALGIA:

-Multiple tender points and muscle pain
(especially in upper and lower neck, back, knees, and elbow areas)
These tender points may be found to have raised
swollen areas in the muscle region
-Disturbed sleep with morning fatigue and stiffness
-Aggravation of signs and symptoms by modulating factors (emotional stress, temperature changes)
-Subjective swelling, threadiness to muscle tissue, stiffness, and numbness
-Chronic headaches
-Brain Fog
-Irritable bowel syndrome
-Cold intolerance (Raynaud's Phenomenon)
-Dysmenorrhea - painful menstruation
-Exercise intolerance
-Weakness and Fatigue
-Seizures -Restless Leg Syndrome (Also An Autoimmune Disease In Itself)

MEDICATIONS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF FIBROMYALGIA AND CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME:

-Muscle Relaxants: (Flexeril, Soma, Skelaxin, and Robaxin)
-Anti-Anxiety Medicines (Used As Pain Meds.): (Klonopin, Ativan, Paxil, and Xanax)
-Narcotic Analgesics: (Vicodin, Hydrocodone, and Darvocet)
-Seizure Medications: (Klonopin, Topomax, and Neurontin)
-Steriodal Medications: (prednisone and Cortisone Injections)

OTHER MEDICATIONS USED IN THE TREATMENT OF FIBROMYALGIA

OVERLAPPING SYNDROMES

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (MCS), myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), and other conditions form a family of overlapping syndromes. In fact, researcher Muhammad Yunus, M.D., of the University of Illinois College of Medicine claims, most patients have more than one syndrome. Thus, he views FMS and CFS as being part of a larger spectrum of conditions, which he calls Dysregulation Spectrum Syndrome or DSS. Dr. Yunus uses the term dysregulation to mean biophysiological abnormalities, possibly in the neuro-hormonal system.

**Info Taken From The Fibromyalgia Network
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HELPFUL LINKS TO FIBRO AND CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME SITES

Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Treatment Site (Information and Newsletter)

Fibromyalgia News

American Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) Association

Fibromyalgia And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Resources

Is it just fatigue?

The CFIDS Association of America

ME/CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) & Fibromyalgia Information

LINKS TO OTHER AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS:

Autoimmunity AARDA American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association

Autoimmune Disorders At Better Health