Fibromyalgia Syndrome

What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

FMS (Fibromyalgia Syndrome) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia means chronic and widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments, tendons and the soft fibrous tissues in the body.

Most patients with FMS say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn. More women than men are afflicted with FMS, and it shows up on people of all ages. Usual patient is a middle aged woman.

In addition, they feel devoid of energy as though someone had unplugged their power supply. While the severity of symptoms fluctuates from person to person, FMS may resemble a post-viral state.

It is not a depressive or psychiatric illness, though psychological stress can worsen it.

SYMPTOMS AND ASSOCIATED SYNDROMES Pain: The pain of FMS has no boundaries. People describe the pain as deep muscular aching, throbbing, shooting, and stabbing. Intense burning may also be present. Quite often, the pain and stiffness are worse in the morning and it may hurt more in muscle groups that are used repeatedly.

Fatigue: This symptom can be mild in some patients and yet incapacitating in others. The fatigue has been described as “brain fatigue” in which patients feel totally drained of energy. Many patients depict this situation by saying that they feel as though their arms and legs are tied to concrete blocks, and they have difficulty concentrating, e.g. brain fog.

Sleep disorder: Most FMS patients have an associated sleep disorder called the alpha EEG anomaly. Researchers found that most FMS patients could fall asleep without much trouble, but their deep level (or stage 4) sleep was constantly interrupted by bursts of awake like brain activity. They have more of rapid eye movement or REM sleep (full of dreams & yet like awake state) & less of slow wave (restful) sleep.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas, and nausea represent symptoms frequently found in roughly 40 to 70% of FMS patients.

Chronic headaches: Recurrent migraine or tension type headaches are seen in about 50% of FMS patients and can pose a major problem.

Temperomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome This syndrome, sometimes referred to as TMD, causes tremendous jaw related face and head pain in one quarter of FMS patients. Typically, the problems are related to the muscles and ligaments surrounding the jaw joint and not necessarily the joint itself.

Other common symptoms: Premenstrual syndrome and painful periods, chest pain, morning stiffness, cognitive or memory impairment, numbness and tingling sensations, muscle twitching, irritable bladder, the feeling of swollen extremities, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and mouth, dizziness, and impaired coordination can occur. Patients are often sensitive to odours, loud noises, bright lights, and sometimes even the medications that they are prescribed. Infact FMS is now part of

a spectrum of disorders called ‘ CENTRAL SENSITISATION DISORDER’ which encompass all forms of chronic pain disorders like chronic fatigue syndrome, myofacial pain syndrome/repetitive strain injury/ Irritable bowel syndrome & Premenstrual tension etc.

Aggravating Factors: Changes in weather, cold or drafty environments, infections, allergies, hormonal fluctuations (premenstrual and menopausal states), stress, depression, anxiety and over-exertion may all Contribute to symptom flare-ups.

Possible Causes: The cause of FMS remain: elusive, but there are many triggering events thought to precipitate its onset. A few example: would be an infection (viral or bacterial), and automobile accident or the development of another disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus Sjogren’s syndrome or hypothyroidism. These triggering events probably don’t cause FMS, but rather, they may awaken an underlying physiological abnormality that is already present Deranged levels of substance P (elevated) and serotonin (reduced) is a likely cause. Normally substance P is pain producing & serotonin is sleep inducing chemicals in brain

Common treatments: Traditional treatments are geared toward improving the quality of sleep and reducing pain. Deep level (stage 4) sleep is crucial for many body functions (Such as tissue repair, antibody production, and the regulation of various neurotransmitters, hormones and immune system chemicals). Therefore, the sleep disorders that