fibromyalgia
FIBROMYALGIA
Treatment Guideline Chart

Fibromyalgia is a clinical syndrome wherein the patient experiences generalized pain and fatigue that cannot be explained by the presence of any other disorder.
It is often considered to be psychosomatic or psychogenic in nature.
It is found in approximately 2% of the population and the prevalence increases with age, most common in women 20-55 year of age

Fibromyalgia Signs and Symptoms

Introduction

  • A syndrome of chronic diffuse pain that affect muscles, soft tissues (eg tendons, ligaments) and other somatic symptoms
  • May be related to alterations in the central nervous system pain processing
  • Found in approximately 2% of the population and the prevalence increases with age, most common in women 20-55 years of age

Etiology

  • Etiology of pain is not known; often considered to be psychosomatic or psychogenic in nature

Signs and Symptoms

Clinical Manifestations

  • Widespread pain - initially localized then later involving multiple sites, predominantly involving muscles, muscle-tendon junctions, tendons and joints
  • Fatigue
  • Disrupted unrefreshed sleep
  • Cognitive disturbances - often referred to as “fibro fog”
  • Mood disturbances
  • Somatic symptoms (eg irritable bowel syndrome, severe menstrual pain, myofascial facial pain)
  • Non-pain related symptoms (sexual dysfunction)

Associated Symptoms

  • Paresthesias
  • Headache - include migraine and muscular or tension type
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Allergic symptoms and multiple chemical sensitivity
  • Weight disturbances
  • Pelvic pain, urinary frequency and urgency, and dysmenorrhea
  • Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
  • Dry eyes, dry mouth
  • Raynaud’s phenomenon
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