Please help me find what fibromyalgia symptoms are and any information that I can. What are some of your symptoms?
My friend thinks that he has it and he has gone to a lot of doctors that cant figure out where his pain is coming from.

Thank you for any help with this.

Water

Hi Water,
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2003 months after a bad car accident and it has been a very rocky road. If you can imagine having the flu (body aches and pain along with severe fatigue) 24/7, that is what fibromyalgia is like. There are so many symptoms that go along with fibromyalgia.So many times I don't know if I am just plain sick or it's the fibro. I can go a day or so feeling pretty good, (pain is always there but not as severe), then bamm I'm down for a few days. Let's just say I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy. There is no cure, but medications do help some. There is a site that is pretty good for fibro patients and that is http://www.fms-help.com. Good luck to your friend. Unfortunately, it is a long uphill battle.They say you can go into remission. I haven't seen it yet but I am sure hoping for it soon.

i was dx'd about 15 years ago after two or three years of docs telling me I was just depressed. By the time I was dx'd (by an arthritis doc) I was in tears almost all hte time. I wear to heaven, my HAIR hurt! No joke! My jaws hurt, my shoulders...everything. There is a very specific test that can be done and it is not invasive.

A doc who knows how, places a very certain amount of pressure on 18 "tender" points (some folks call them pressure points). If you have pain in 11 out of 18, you have firbo.

There are tons of fibro sites, some of which have the full body picture with the teneder points.

There is no cure, but some believe it gets better after 20 year. My doc, a top fibro doc in the country (in Newton, MA)says it's more of learning how to take care of yourself.

I highly recommend stress relief classes and exercises and pracitce the skills. Lern how to breathe..it really helps. Try not to get caught up in all the alternative herbs and stuff. It helps some, but frankly, it's expensive and really doesn';t do much. Some pain meds work for some people and sometimes you needs meds for the secondry issues: IBS, TMJ, etc.

I have learned to live with it, but I tell you there are some days when bed is the only releif. I continue to work full time, go hiking and live an active life. Advil is my best buddy..I probably have helped the stock rise all by myself.

Tell your friend to look up fibro specialists in your area...search the web or call the local hospitals and ask. A doc referral service, usually free, can also help. Some docs still do not believe in fibro, so don;t be surprised if you get poo-pooed!

Best wishes
Ann