What is Fibromyalgia?
By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com Guide to Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue
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
- Getting a Diagnosis
- Living With a Chronic Illness
- Work & Disability Issues
- Finding Support
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?
- The Monster List of Symptoms
- A Simple Explanation of Fibromyalgia
- 7 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain
Getting a 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.
- Diagnosing Fibromyalgia
- Finding a Doctor
- The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire
- Keeping a Symptom Journal - Why You Should & How to Do It
Living With a Chronic Illness
To manage symptoms and improve your quality of life, it's likely that you'll need to make some changes. For some things, you may need to change your routine. For others, you may need to change your outlook on life. Find out how to get started.
- Lifestyle Changes -- Step-by-Step
- Pacing Techniques
- Cut Clothing-Related Pain
- Develop Better Coping Skills
- Acceptance - Why It's Important
- 10 Little Things That Can Help
- The Holiday Survival Guide
- 10 Ways to Survive Holiday Shopping
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.
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.
- Costochondritis - Chest/Rib Pain
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Interstitial Cystitis - Bladder Pain
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- TMJ - Jaw Pain
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
Readers Respond
Your fellow readers share tips, information and experiences about a broad range of topics related to fibromyalgia. Learn from them, or help us all learn by leaving your own response.
