Dr. Alnigenis is a Visiting Fellow in the Division of Rheumatology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, N.Y.
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), is an illness that causes pain, stiffness and tenderness throughout the body. Sufferers complain they have trouble sleeping and tire easily. 80%-90% of FMS victims are women and most are between 30 and 60 years old.
Though FMS may not be well understood, it is far from uncommon. A recent study found that 2% of all North Americans suffer from FMS, 3.4% of women and 0.5% of men. It is the second most common problem seen by rheumatologists in North America.
Some doctors believe that FMS is not a real condition, but, instead, is psychological. What do we actually know about FMS?
How FMS Starts
A possible clue to the origins of FMS is the fact that sufferers often report that their symptoms began after they came down with another illness or went through some other kind of health problem or personal crisis. The most common of these events are listed in Table 1.
Table 1.
Events Linked to the Onset of FMS9
- Flu
- HIV infection
- Parvovirus
- Lyme disease
- Toxic oil syndrome
- Siliconosis
- Problems sleeping
- Physical trauma (e.g., whiplash injury)
- Emotional trauma
- Withdrawal from steroids or other medication
- Stressful event
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Note: We regret that we cannot answer personal medical questions.
Comment by: kate woodcock
Mon., Feb. 8, 2010 at 5:55 am EST
i have fms im told its real im on medication that give me a weight problem , and just about to loose my job thou takin to much time off ,, still cant get my head around it and i belive ive brought it on my self i was diagnossed last feb and im prayein that ill soon be better !!
Comment by: celestina casey
Thu., Jan. 28, 2010 at 9:36 pm EST
I have fiber s. but my one son does not belevie there is no such thing he read doctor reports that its all in ones head. It is not in my head
and I really dislike the meds I feel bad on them and have gained a lot of wt.
Comment by: kristina
Sat., Jan. 9, 2010 at 1:47 am EST
looks like i have fibro for 100%!:(
Comment by: Bill Cohen
Tue., Jan. 5, 2010 at 11:42 am EST
For more up-to-date references, an excellent source is the May 2009 isssue of "Rheumatic Disease Clinics of North America" (Vol 35, #2) devoted to "Fibromyalgia," guest edited by Philip J. Mease, MD. The papers present a contemporary multidisciplinary synthesis and future implications of both basic and clinical research.
