Welcome Visitor #

Like millions of others, I have Fibromyalgia (FMS) and as well as other health problems.

As the saying goes,
"Pain let's you know you're alive."
Man!  Am I *A L I V E*!!

Let's start with a simple definition and over time I'll be providing many links to information about FMS, related and unrelated health problems in my attempt to help others as I've been helped:

DEFINITION - Fibromyalgia is a syndrome thus the "S" in FMS.  It is a chronic condition causing widespread pain and stiffness in the muscles and connective tissues throughout the body.  It's not progressive but can feel that way.

Often fatigue is present and can be severe - it's really more a total loss of energy.  Most people have non-restorative sleep, awakening in the morning feeling unrefreshed, unrested.

Other conditions occurring with more frequency in FMS include:
headaches, irritable bowel and bladder syndromes, feelings of numbness and tingling, chest pain (usually costochondritis - IMO) that is non-cardiac related, cognitive and memory problems (fibrofog), difficulty with anxiety or depression.

It's is estimated that as many as 5 million Americans alone have FMS and many have not been diagnosed or not diagnosed correctly.  It can affect anyone.

The cause and cure of fibromyalgia remain unknown.
It's all a gigantic crapshoot & FMers rolled

 Snake eyes

 FMS - Medicine Net
 FMS - Devin Starnyl's site

DIAGNOSIS -  There are no blood tests or xrays.  There is a tender point test.  It is generally considered that a person must have 11 of the 18 determined tender points to be diagnosed with FMS.

Refer to the still chart below or
for an even better representation
please see the animation
(both provided to me by Alex)

Wait for it to load, it's worth it!!

In 2 of 3 such exams it was determined that I had all 18 tender points; however, I have learned that on any given day FMers can have less than the required 11.

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Ever have severe influenza?  Did you think you'd die?
 Less than 14 days later though you're back to your old self.
FMers have a life sentence of influenza symptoms
along with the conditions mentioned above & below.
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