Fibromyalgia: Not Just a Female Disorder

You wake up in the morning and all your muscles ache. You feel like you are coming down with the flu. Pain streams across your body as if you were run over by a semi truck. You are so fatigued you can hardly get out of bed and brush your teeth. This is what it feels like almost every day living with fibromyalgia. How can I be sure of this? I have had fibromyalgia for over eight years.

Fibromyalgia (FM) occurs more frequently in females than males but it does occur in men. Only 10 - 20 % of FM patients are male. One reason so few men are diagnosed with FM is that males have been raised to "shake it off" or "take it like a man its just a little pain." The problem is it is a lot of pain.

I probably had FM for way longer than eight years. While living in Mississippi I had went to several doctors with the symptoms and was told it was just a muscle strain or a touch of arthritis. It was not until I moved to Colorado did a rheumatologist diagnose my disorder. The first rheumatologist who diagnosed me told me and I quote," There is no cure or treatment. I have seen patients in the hospital hooked to a morphine drip crying in pain." I did not accept this and found a great rheumatologist.

Fibromyalgia Defined

FM is a chronic illness characterized by widespread muscular and skeletal aches, pain and stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. The most common pain sites are the back, neck, shoulders, pelvis, and hands. Many other parts of the body may also be affected with pain also.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Pain - it is profound, widespread, and chronic. The pain has been described as shooting pain and muscle aching that is deep, throbbing and twitching. Often adding to the discomfort are neurological complaints such as numbness, tingling and burning of various areas. Pain can also be more severe in the morning.

Fatigue - Many people in our fast paced world get fatigued. The fatigue of FM is more severe than just fatigue. It is an exhaustion that interferes with the simplest daily activities. It can feel like every bit of energy has been drained from your body.

Sleep Disturbances - Many patients with FM do not get restorative sleep. When asleep the FM patient are constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity which decreases the amount of time in deep restful sleep.

How Fibromyalgia is Diagnosed

There really is no specific "diagnostic criteria" at this date. In 1990 the American College of Rheumatology came up with a criteria informally called "the ACR 1990" which defines fibromyalgia by the following criteria.

History - history of widespread pain lasting more than three months that affects all quadrants of the body.

Tender Points - 18 designated possible tender points are usually found. During diagnosis, pressure is placed over each pressure point. The patient must feel pain in 11 or more for fibromyalgia considered.

Fibromyalgia Treatment

There is no universal cure for fibromyalgia. Research in the area of Fm has though come up with some treatment aspects. One of the most important part for the patient to recognize is the need for a lifestyle adaptation to this disorder. Some other treatment areas to consider are the following.

Pain Management - Some over the counter pain medications can be helpful for some. Your physician may prescribe a non-narcotic pain reliever such as Tranadol or low doses of an anti-depressant. Many though have to be prescribed a narcotic just to make daily life tolerable. A very important part of pain management is a regular program of gentle exercise and stretching. This will help maintain muscle tone along with reducing pain and stiffness.

Sleep Management - healthy sleep can be improved by a healthy sleep regimen. This is in the form of going to bed and getting up at the same time every day, making sure your sleep environment is comfortable and quiet, avoiding caffeine before bedtime and some type of daily light exercising.

Other Treatments - Many alternative treatments are helpful for many. Therapies can range from therapeutic massage; water therapy, acupressure, and acupuncture are just a few.

More and more research is being done every day to help patients with fibromyalgia. One important thing for men to know is fibromyalgia can and often is a disabling disorder. Many men as me have a problem with what others think if they become disabled with FM because it is an "invisible disability." People cannot see the inner effects of this disorder so you may seem perfectly healthy. A good support team from your medical team, spiritual support and especially family support is very important to living with fibromyalgia.