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Fibromyalgia is most often diagnosed in women ages 20-50 and almost always coexists with a number of debilitating symptoms. Women with the muscle condition frequently face chronic fatigue, headaches, and in some cases, depression.
Because the muscle condition is defined solely by its symptoms it often goes undetected and misdiagnosed. These symptoms can overshadow and ultimately sideline the condition making it difficult to remedy and almost impossible to entirely relieve.
The most common correlating symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Endometriosis
• Headaches
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Lupus
• Osteoarthritis
• Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
While symptoms can be both the cause and result of having Fibromyalgia, it is often a long and exhausting path to diagnosis. Many times you will see a number of doctors before reaching a definitive conclusion. Not to say that all symptoms lead to the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia but if pain persists it is important that you do not settle for the misdiagnosis of your symptoms but educate yourself on the possibilities of more serious conditions such as this.
One doctor you may be referred to is a rheumatologist, specializing in arthritis and the inflammation of joints and muscles this doctor may misdiagnose you with one of these conditions which are associated with Fibromyalgia but not the condition itself. While the doctor may be able to ease the pain slightly you are ultimately without effective treatment and support.
Fatigue is the most common symptom associated with the dull, aching pain that comes with this condition. Those with Fibromyalgia often feel tired and un-rested even after what is a typically adequate amount of sleep. Misdiagnosed as a sleeping disorder, Fibromyalgia hides under the condition it has created and in turn alleviating only a sign of the bigger, more debilitating problem.
It is important to be prepared for a long and arduous road to living comfortably with Fibromyalgia. You are the expert on the explanation of your symptoms. Be sure to be prepared when you first start the path to diagnosis and be able to detail the progression of pain and the symptoms that follow.
As more is discovered about the condition, diagnosis will become easier and treatment more accessible. For now there are at home remedies that can ease pain and support groups that can help with stress, lack of sleep, feelings of sadness and frustration and ultimately with pain.
More information about the causes, risks, and conditions of Fibromyalgia can be found at: https://www.empowher.com/condition/fibromyalgia
Add a Comment6 Comments
Diagnosis is common with Fibro because it seems to be a little understood problem. How frustrating and maddening for those experiencing it. Here is an article from a wellness website about misdiagnosis and treating the person rather than the disease!
February 9, 2010 - 7:22pmThis Comment
I can certainly agree with this, and the article by this doctor. As I said in my previous post, I hate the idea of being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and was treated for this by a specialist, but given Xanax as a help. I do not see how that would cure my lower back pain, abdominal pain, and fatigue after having a Hyst., and realized these complications. Xanax? This will cure me? I am being sent to a doctor, and feel a 'cover-up' for what is really wrong. How about prolapsed bowels and other organs? Will Xanax solve this? "Yes, you have Fibromyalgia", this specialist of Fibromyalgia said. Yet, was he treating the 'patient' or just 'diagnosing' me to give me some kind of disease/syndrome? I am led a DIRECTION AND COURSE now to take medication for Fibromyalgia when this is not what is wrong. We know our own bodies, and I know prescribing Xanax will not cure my physical horrible back pain when I bend over, my awful abdominal pain, and please tell me, if anyone knows, how an anti-depressant/anxiety pill would cure this? I am one of millions of women out there who are misdiagnosed, and treated for something else, and is it to be, by doctors, "Oh, this will soothe her by giving her some name for an illness." What a broad term Fibromyalgia is too. Is it the new term doctors give when they cannot think of anything else to tell women? "There, that is it - I will prescribe Xanax for her, and maybe that will keep her quiet. How cruel. Don't get me wrong here, either. I fully believe a name should be given for the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. But do not, dear doctors, diagnose, and not treat the individual patient. I am screaming for physical diagnosis after a Hyst. gone bad, and my prolapsed organs cannot be cured with a pill...
February 10, 2010 - 9:34pmThis Comment
Regarding Fibromyalgia - I was diagnosed with this, but only had awful symptoms after a Hysterectomy. I was astounded that I was put with a doctor who a specialist regarding this, and do not deny the disease/syndrome exists, but I hope this is not a way to pass off other problems (physical) which women have after a Hyst. by calling it, and saying, "Oh, you have Fibromyalgia"... My back problems and fatigue, and feeling awful only started after my Hyst., and again - just do not want to have what a doctor did wrong to me passed off for another 'syndrome' to give to women when they made a mistake by even doing a Hyst. in the first place. My point being is that I refuse to accept doctors can tell me I have some other disease of Fibromyalgia when I would have been fine if I never had the Hyst., and my symptoms are all and only after this hideous Hyst., and destruction to my well being, and what? I am to now just deal with another doctor to be treated for Fibromyalgia? What are these doctors doing?
November 13, 2009 - 2:32amThis Comment
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November 13, 2009 - 1:37amThis Comment
Fibromyalgia is typically flouride poisoning, our environment's biggest toxin. Iodine in the bodyis prelaced by the flouride, so it's important to take daily iodine (Lugal's solution)
November 12, 2009 - 5:52am-- It is important to be prepared for a long and arduous road
This kind of attitude contributes to keeping people ill.
This Comment
Flouride poisoning? Where is your evidence for this?
November 12, 2009 - 3:13pmThis Comment