I've met quite a few people in the past year who suffer from Fibromyalgia and associated complications of this condition -- including poverty, related to the victim's inability to engage in regular employment. I thought I would share a well-organized website that, if like me, you don't fully understand this complex disorder, and would like more information-- OR, if you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and could benefit from support from this online community.
I liked this website because they didn't seem to be pushing a certain pharmacological treatment, and discusses alternative holistic approaches to wellness.
http://www.fibrotalk.com/
Fibromyalgia (fye-bro-my-AL-jah) is a syndrome characterized by long-lasting widespread pain and tenderness at specific points on the body. The term “fibromyalgia” means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Although not defining characteristics, sleep disturbances and fatigue are also integral symptoms of fibromyalgia.
This condition is referred to as a syndrome because it’s a set of signs and symptoms that occur together with no known cause or identifiable reason. Fibromyalgia is an especially confusing and often misunderstood condition. Because its symptoms are quite common and laboratory tests results generally are normal, people with fibromyalgia were once told that their condition was “all in their head.” However, medical studies have proven that fibromyalgia does indeed exist, and it is estimated to affect about two to four percent of the U.S. population today.
Although fibromyalgia has no cure, it isn’t a progressive disease, meaning that although your symptoms may worsen, it will not spread to, or damage your organs and it’s never fatal. With a treatment plan that integrates several modalities that include exercise, rest, stress relief, coping skills and medications, people with fibromyalgia can live happy, productive lives.
