Millions are affected by fibromyalgia, a mysterious debilitating disorder. Here's what is known so far about its symptoms, causes, and risk factors.

This information has helped me to understand fibromyalgia. I do not suffer with it but obviously champion all causes to raise awareness and fund raise for this awful "invisible" disease.
I have takne sample writings from various sites to knit together one informative piece to help you understand it without the complicated medical references - ideal for me!

Although increased sensitivity to pain is the main symptom of fibromyalgia, fibromyalgia syndrome and other types of chronic pain diseases form a family of overlapping syndromes. Therefore, even though the most common symptoms are pain and fatigue in muscles and tendons, often it is seen that those suffering from fibromyalgia will have other associated conditions and symptoms. It is because of these overlapping symptoms that fibromyalgia cam to be categorized as a syndrome rather than a disease.

This list of major symptoms of fibromyalgia is for your reference only and it is not intended to diagnose fibromyalgia, which should be left to a doctor familiar with the disorder. It is important that you seek an informed professional before jumping to conclusions regarding your condition. As well as, since the majority of fibromylgia patients are women, it's important for women to find the right and supportive gynecologist to discuss how menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause will affect and be affected by their fibromlygia.

 Fibromyalgia is a widely misunderstood and sometimes misdiagnosed chronic condition, commonly characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, concentration issues, and sleep problems. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, it affects an estimated 10 million people, mainly women, in the United States alone. The severity of fibromyalgia symptoms can vary from one person to the next and may fluctuate even in a single individual, depending on such factors as time of day or the weather. Because it is a chronic condition, in most cases fibromyalgia symptoms never disappear entirely. The good news is that fibromyalgia isn't progressive or life-threatening, and treatments can help alleviate many symptoms.

Fibromyalgia: The Symptoms

The symptoms of fibromyalgia and their severity vary widely, although pain and fatigue are nearly always present. Major symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

Pain. Some fibromyalgia patients report discomfort in one or more specific areas of their body, while others may experience overall pain in their muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Certain areas, such as the back of the head, upper back and neck, elbows, hips, and knees may be particularly sensitive to touch or pressure and are described clinically as tender points. The degree and type of pain can range from aching, tenderness, and throbbing to sharper shooting and stabbing sensations. Intense burning, numbness, and tingling may also be present.

Fatigue. If you've ever been knocked off your feet by a bad case of the flu, you have a general idea of how tired some people with fibromyalgia can feel. Though some fibromyalgia patients experience only mild fatigue, many report feeling completely drained of energy, both physically and mentally, to the point that exhaustion interferes with all daily activities.

Memory problems. Difficulty concentrating and remembering are common cognitive symptoms in people with fibromyalgia.

Sleep disturbances. Research has shown that the deepest stages of sleep in patients with fibromyalgia are constantly interrupted by bursts of brain activity, causing feelings of exhaustion even after a seemingly good night's rest. Other problems such as sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, and teeth grinding (bruxism) are also common among fibromyalgia sufferers.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of IBS, including diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and bloating, are present in many people with fibromyalgia.

Other common symptoms

    * Headaches, migraines, and facial pain
    * Depression, anxiety, or mood changes
    * Painful menstrual periods
    * Dizziness
    * Dry mouth, eyes, and skin
    * Heightened sensitivity to noise, odors, bright lights, and touch

Symptom Triggers

The following factors can worsen the symptoms of fibromyalgia:

    * Changes in weather (too cold or too humid)
    * Too much or too little exercise
    * Too much or too little rest
    * Stress and anxiety
    * Depression

Some patients also report that pain and stiffness are worse in the morning.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

While the exact cause of fibromyalgia remains a mystery, doctors do know that patients with the disorder experience an increased sensation of pain due to a glitch in the central nervous system's processing of pain information. Studies have shown that people with fibromyalgia also have certain physiological abnormalities, such as elevated levels of certain chemicals called nuerotransmitters that help transmit pain signals (thus amplifying, or "turning up," the signals in the brain's pain-processing areas).

In some cases, an injury or trauma, especially to the cervical spine, or a bacterial or viral illness, may precede a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. This has caused researchers to speculate that infections may be triggers as well.

Fibromyalgia Risk Factors

A number of factors can increase the odds that you may develop fibromyalgia. These include:

Gender. Fibromyalgia is more common among women than men.

Age. Symptoms usually appear during middle age, but can also manifest in children and older adults.

History of rheumatic disease. People who have been diagnosed with a rheumatic disorder — chronic inflammatory conditions — such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are at increased risk of also developing fibromyalgia.

Family history. Having a relative who suffers from fibromyalgia puts you at increased risk.

Sleep problems. Doctors aren't sure whether sleep disturbances are a cause or a symptom of fibromyalgia — but sleep disorders, including restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea have been cited as possible fibromyalgia triggers.


I have put together this information using a variety of information sites but found this one very useful. By Katherine Lee Medically reviewed by Ed Zimney, MD

There are many support groups and information websites but have a look on Fibroduck.com for a all ready compiled list.

What a fantastic day to remember!

I set out at 6.30am to arrive at the Green Park Village for 7.00am. It was a rather breezy chilly morning and thank goodness I had my Fibroduck Duck suit to hang out in! Sure the warming carnival atmosphere helped keep us all  bouyant and happy but didn’t keep the Goosebumps at bay!
I was doing the event with my work colleagues, Reading’s Family Link Team. We were supporting a young person, Luke, who wanted to complete this mini marathon under his own steam, no one pushing him. This was the first time he had ever done this. He is just starting to become more independent proving to his peers he could live with minimum support. He is a very determined young man and indeed he kept us in our places!
I insisted on running/dancing this event. Who could not resist bopping away to the bands that lined the course. I loved hearing “High Way To Hell” played by a young rock group, and the Steel Drums. Everyone else walked 3km, I danced at least 6km, at Luke’s pace in 40 minutes. He is determined to beat that time next year! Mmm had my beetroot juice and Nakd bar to munch on for much needed energy. I had the Peanut & Oat Trek bar and the Chocolate mint flavours.

My own Reading Half Marathon place has been deferred until next year..my big challenge to concerntrate on!

Luke will also be doing 1km, using his walker, around Prospect Park, 1st April from 1.30, with Reading College. Please do show your support.

“Reading's Family Link Team took part in the Green Park Challenge to promote Share The Care Week, and to recruit more short breaks carers & befrienders for disabled children & young people. If you would like to find out more about becoming a carer, call the team on 0118 937 3740 and make a big difference to disabled children!' “

There is more information here.

Photos printed by kind permission of Reading Council

I asked the creator of Fibroduck.com to write a guest blog for me. Please do read and have a look at the fibroduck website. The new Celebriducks are marvelous!

"I think it's important to look back in life sometimes. It not only helps us to see where we've been, but it helps reaffirm achievements and to figure out the road ahead.
I launched fibroduck.com on September 1st 2009. Looking back it seems like years ago now. Like all child rearing it's been a labour of love, but my baby's growing up fast; growing and developing in ways I could never have imagined in the beginning.
I'm always being asked what made me do it. The simple answer is to thank the forum members who helped me come to terms when I was newly diagnosed. There were around half a dozen women who took the time to help me figure it all out, and it's for those six (who know who they are) that I began. It's for myself and everyone else in the world who is living with FM and ME that I continue.
My personal aim is to always keep our ducks free to fans, except postage of course. We are extremely lucky that we have some amazing people out there fundraising for us, so the ducks can remain free for the foreseeable future.
We've come a long way in eighteen months! We've got a brilliant website and a fantastic logo, thanks to Jimmy Salermo who continues to provide his web/design skills and our hosting for free. There are so many people I need to thank and I'm really scared of missing someone off and inadvertently causing offence.
Not only have we now had over 2,000 photos submitted from around the world, I've also been busy  tickling celebrities under the chin with my feathers and persuading them to do me a Celebriduck photo, to help us raise awareness for Fibromyalgia and ME.
As I write this article, we currently have thirteen Celebriducks on the website with many more due over the coming weeks and months. We'll have photos from the world of sport, politics, music, authors, producers, film and television. If they're in the media spotlight, I want their photo.
Regular duck fans will fondly remember Albert and Annabelle's wedding and honeymoon photos. Thanks to Denise and Clare for making sure the bride and groom reached the church on time and getting them to the airport. If you haven't seen those particular photos, you've missed a real treat!
We've been adopted by the lovely Rambling Duck and recently we've become the official mascot of Cheshire's search and rescue team. Last Friday Twitter awarded us their Bronze badge for helping people. Both the Blackpool Gazette and Take A Break magazine have featured the website, and I write articles as and when I'm able to help draw attention to us. 
There is also a side of Fibroduck that casual visitors and celebs don't get to hear about. Oh, don't worry, there's no wild parties going on or anything (although we do waddle along to music frequently). But it seems our little yellow duck has come to symbolise so much to so many, bringing unity, support, laughter and friendships across many miles and in the face of much adversity.
Fibroduck is here to stay, and he will continue to be a fun way to raise awareness and get the conversation started.

 I have received some lovely messages from duck fans telling me they only have to look at duckie to remember they are not in this alone. How It's giving them a reason to go mad and act silly, if even for a while, it reminds us that we are able to laugh.
So what's in store for the future? Well, funny you should ask that question. Fibroduck.com is about to launch our first official 'Fibrodocs.'
This is a series of documents for Fibromyalgia and ME patients to use when they have to go to hospital, either as a day case or admission. Inspired following an horrendous battle with my local hospital to access respite care. After a long battle that system is now in place for me, but we realise others still struggle on.
The documents are designed to make it faster and easier for the patient to be understood, and more importantly, helped correctly by medical professionals, who sadly continue to disbelieve, ignore medical history and/or refuse to treat patients. 
We will put them on our website shortly as a free download, People can adapt them for their own needs, then print them off and hand to whoever is treating them. We don't believe in charging people for literature or leaflets, our poster is also available as a free download from the website.
To mark International ME/CFS & FM Awareness Day May 12th 2011, we will be holding our third 'put your duck to work day.' More details can be found on our Facebook fans page nearer the time, it's a really popular event and produces some fantastic photos.
I've also got plans in the pipeline that I hope will involve us and Comic relief working together next year, but I'll need your help to pull that off.
All that's left is for me to thank everyone one of you that has made a donation and or supported us. In particular to Mrs Fibroduck, Anna Murray, Loquax, Faceparty, The Rambling duck, Rebecca Rose Design, Lisa Knowles, Hazel Borland. Every penny donated goes right back in to Fibroduck and future duck supplies.
Oh and one last note, my own health problems mean I am unable to keep on top of things they way I should. It doesn't help that I have no short term memory at all. So If I have forgotten to thank you here, it's only my shocking memory, it's truly not because I'm not grateful.
Please do keep your photos coming in, every one raises a smile.
"Fibroduck"!