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Symptoms There are many symptoms associated with fibromyalgia syndrome, but not all individuals afflicted with fibromyalgia will experience all of them. The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic widespread pain with decreased pressure pain thresholds. Some of the more common additional fibromyalgia symptoms include: debilitating fatigue, sleep disorders, myofascial pain, chronic headaches, depression and anxiety, and „fibrofog.‟ „Fibrofog‟ is a term given to the variety of cognitive problems that many fibromyalgia sufferers face during their illness, including short term memory loss, concentration and focus difficulties, and language and learning difficulties. The term „fibrofog‟ developed because these symptoms tend to descend in a haze or „fog,‟ most commonly and most severely during pain flare ups. Diagnosis The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made primarily according to the American College of Rheumatology 1990 Criteria for the Classification of Fibromyalgia (Arthritis and Rheumatism. Vol. 33, No. 2 (February 1990)). The primary diagnostic criteria of which are:
Tender points are areas that cause pain but do not display the typical signs of discomfort, such as heat, redness, or swelling. In order for a tender point to be deemed "positive" for pain, pain should be experienced when the point is pressed on with a finger or medical device equivalent to 4kg of pressure. Currently Available Treatments Presently, there is no cure for fibromyalgia. However, there are a number of treatments and medications that help to alleviate the symptoms. These include:
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