What is Fibromyalgia?
By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com Guide
- The Basics of Fibromyalgia
- Symptoms
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Doctors & Diagnosis
- Work & Disability Issues
- Day-to-Day Living
- Your Emotional Health
- Finding Support
- Causes & Risk Factors
- Overlapping Conditions
- Book Reviews
- Product Reviews
- For Friends & Family
- The Holidays
The Basics of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is tough to understand. It has a list of 60 potential symptoms, and frequently accompanies other medical conditions. Also, to really understand, treat and manage fibromyalgia, you need to learn some terminology. You'll find the tools here to get a basic understanding of fibromyalgia.
- What is Fibromyalgia?
- A Simple Explanation of Fibromyalgia
- Readers Respond: Explaining Fibromyalgia
- Tender Point vs. Trigger Point
Symptoms

Fibromyalgia can cause dozens of symptoms. By becoming familiar with them, you can better understand your illness and find ways to manage it. Get information on specific symptoms as well as tips from other readers on how to deal with them.
- The Monster List of Symptoms
- 7 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain
- Clothes & Fibromyalgia Pain
- Fibro Fog (Cognitive Dysfunction)
- Language Problems
- Morning Symptoms
- Menstruation, Menopause & Pregnancy
- Light & Noise Sensitivity
- Temperature Sensitivity
- Excessive Sweating
- Symptom Journaling: Whys & Hows
- Readers Respond: Worst Symptoms
- Readers Respond: FMS Pain Types
- Readers Respond: Pain From Clothes
- Readers Respond: Fibro Fog Stories
- Readers Respond: Light & Noise
- Readers Respond: Hot & Cold
- Readers Respond: Sweating
Frequently Asked Questions

Fibromyalgia is difficult to understand, and questions are bound to pop up as you learn about it. Below, you'll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about fibromyalgia.
- Do I Have Fibromyalgia?
- Why Did My Doctor Prescribe Antidepressants?
- Is Fibromyalgia a Real Disease?
- Are People With Fibromyalgia Faking?
- Is Fibromyalgia Hereditary?
- Are Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome the Same Thing?
- Is Fibromyalgia Progressive (Does It Get Worse)?
- Is Fibromyalgia Degenerative?
- Could Chronic Low-Back Pain Mean I Have Fibromyalgia?
- Why Don't Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Work for Fibromyalgia Pain?
- Is Fibromyalgia Autoimmune?
Doctors & Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia is a tough condition to diagnose. Find out why, what tests you can expect your doctor to order and what the official criteria are for a diagnosis. Finding the right doctor is also important because not all health-care providers are familiar with fibromyalgia.
Work & Disability Issues

Staying at your job? Know your rights - you may be entitled to reasonable accommodations from your employer. Considering a disability claim? Find out how to get the process started and how the system works.
- Filing for Social Security Disability
- Readers Respond: Disability Stories
- The ADA & Reasonable Accommodation: Your Rights at Work
- Readers Respond: Reasonable Accommodation
Day-to-Day Living

Lifestyle changes are an important part of managing your illness. Find out where to start, and learn how to keep symptoms at bay while you're doing the things you need to do.
- Lifestyle Changes - Getting Started
- How To Pace Yourself
- Rebuilding Your Sex Life
- Getting Organized
- Preparing for Flares
- Car Travel
- Organizing Your Schedule
- What to Keep in Your Purse
- Household Tips & Strategies
- Laundry: Easing the Strain
- Cooking Made Easier
- Grocery Shopping Gameplan
- Back-to-School Shopping List
- 10 Little Things That Can Help
- Readers Respond: Lifestyle Help
- Readers Respond: Pacing Techniques
- Readers Respond: Household Tips
- Readers Respond: Laundry Tips
- Readers Respond: Cooking Tips
- Readers Respond: Shopping Tips
Your Emotional Health

When you're diagnosed with a chronic illness, it's a real emotional blow. Things like acceptance and good coping skills can be a big help when you're making the adjustment to your new life.
- Dealing With Stress
- Grieving For the Life You've Lost
- Acceptance vs. Giving Up
- Develop Better Coping Skills
- Readers Respond: How Are Your Coping Skills?
Finding Support

Support is important, but not all of us have the support we need from people around us. Find out how to find support, online and in your community, and also learn about starting a support group.
- Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Forum
- Find a Support Group
- Readers Respond: Support Group Experiences
Causes & Risk Factors

What causes fibromyalgia? Who's at risk for developing it? Researchers are still working to answer these questions, but we're getting clearer ideas. Find out what we know so far.
Overlapping Conditions

Fibromyalgia is rarely alone - it likes to bring "friends" to the party. Learn about conditions that a lot of us with fibromyalgia also have, the symptoms, how they're treated, and how the conditions may interact.
- Costochondritis - Chest/Rib Pain
- Depression & Anxiety
- Understanding & Treating Depression
- Gulf War Syndrome
- IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Interstitial Cystitis - Bladder Pain
- Lupus
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Panic Disorder
- Raynaud's Syndrome - Cold Hands & Feet
- RLS - Restless Legs Syndrome
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sleep Apnea
- Sleep Disorders & Other Problems
- Thyroid Problems
- TMJ - Jaw Pain
Book Reviews

A lot of books about fibromyalgia and related conditions are on the shelves. Find out what they have to offer and how other people with the condition have liked them. You can also write a review of books you've liked.
- Reader Reviews: Favorite FMS & ME/CFS Books
- Write a Review!
- Figuring Out Fibromyalgia, by Ginevra Liptan, M.D.
- Recovery From CFS: 50 Personal Stories, by Alexandra Barton
- The Other Brain, by R. Douglas Fields, Ph.D.
Product Reviews

Looking for a product to improve your life? See what pros and cons these products have for someone with fibromyalgia.
- Mediflow Waterbase Pillow
- In Balance Temperature Balancing Sheets
- Homedics Shiatsu Back & Shoulders Massaging Cushion
For Friends & Family

Fibromyalgia is hard to understand and can strain relationships. The articles below can help the people in your life get a handle on what you're going through and what it means to them.
- A Simple Understanding of Fibromyalgia
- Living With Someone Who Has Fibromyalgia
- FAQs
- Fibromyalgia Fact Sheet
The Holidays

The holiday season can wipe out the healthiest of people! For us, the work, stress and pressure of it can mean symptom flares and a long, miserable season. Find out how you can get through it better by planning and prioritizing.
