Since November 2006, Marla Singleton* has hurt all over. She has tender places on her body where even a slight touch causes her to cringe in pain. She sleeps very little, tossing and turning most of the night. Her entire body is very stiff each morning, making movement difficult. Pain is her constant companion. She is always tired, and she feels overwhelmed and gloomy. Marla has fibromyalgia. At 42, Singleton is an office manager for her local branch of a big corporation. She feels like her daily life is a big roller coaster.

Fibromyalgia, also known as FM, is a chronic condition that is distinguished by widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Parts of the body are tender. Sleep disturbances are common in people with fibromyalgia, resulting in fatigue from lack of restorative sleep.

According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, seven to ten million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia. Women are primarily the ones that are affected, though it does affect men and children. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known but it appears that there are triggering events that rush its onset such as physical injury, infection, or the onset of another disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Life with fibromyalgia varies from day to day. "Some days I feel good, other days I have constant pain and lack the energy to function effectively" says Singleton. "My doctors are working with me to ease my pain and to help me to get my quality of life back. It is a long process, and the past year has been a nightmare. "

For another person with fibromyalgia, life is a little better. Shari Wilson* sees her fibromyalgia as a challenge. She bikes, swims, and challenges herself to do what she can to minimize her pain. "When I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia I was told to keep moving," notes Wilson. She works full-time as a paralegal, and the job keeps her going both physically and mentally. She also takes medications to help her manage her pain so that she can keep up with her current lifestyle.

For many years the symptoms of fibromyalgia were considered by doctors to be psychological. Pain was normally something that could be related to an injury. Since there was no visible injury, doctors didn't know what to think of the patient's complaints of pain and fatigue. With more cases of fibromyalgia being diagnosed, a greater number of doctors are learning about it and how to treat it.

Diagnosis is usually made by a rheumatologist even though any MD can make the diagnosis. A list of patient complaints in conjunction with a test that is referred to as the tender-point test is used to confirm fibromyalgia. There are eighteen tender points on the body that the doctor checks. Eleven of the eighteen points must be tender to validate diagnosis.

According to Wilson, fibromyalgia pain and fatigue is difficult to describe. "When people ask me what it feels like, I tell them that it feels like I have a never ending case of the flu," says Wilson. Singleton describes the pain and fatigue as feeling like her muscles are overworked or pulled. "The pain is a deep aching in my muscles, and I feel like I am in a fog most of the time" notes Singleton. Fortunately both women have family that supports them in their daily battle against the debilitating effects of fibromyalgia.

There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are many things that help to lessen the pain and make daily life much more pleasant. Exercise such as swimming, yoga, walking, and stretching are beneficial, and help reduce pain. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, biofeedback and medications are all used to treat and help with relieving the pain.

Support groups are everywhere, and provide support from others that know what it is like to have fibromyalgia. Hospitals and doctor's offices can often provide information on finding a support group. Singleton joined one in her area that meets once a month. "We compare notes, discuss the latest drugs and treatments, and how to address our pain with family, friends and how to answer questions from strangers. People that I don't know such as friends of my friends or acquaintances will slap me on the back or arm just being friendly, and I almost cry because it hurts so much. My skin is very tender and I don't know how to explain to them that even a light touch is painful. This group has been a lifesaver" says Singleton.

For more information about fibromyalgia, contact the National Fibromyalgia Association or the Fibromyalgia Network.

*last names changed at the request of interviewees

© Copyright 2007 Patti McMann. All rights reserved.