What is Fibromyalgia?

By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com Guide

Whether you're wondering whether you have fibromyalgia, have recently been diagnosed or have been living with the condition (or someone with it) for years, you'll find information here that can help you live better. Learn the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia, how it's diagnosed, how you can manage and cope with the condition, your legal rights as a disabled person, what causes fibromyalgia, and who gets it.

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

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Product Reviews

Looking for a product to improve your life? See what pros and cons these products have for someone with fibromyalgia.

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.

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.

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue