Fibromyalgia
is a chronic disorder that affects 3 to 6 million Americans,
primarily women. According to the National Institute of Arthritis
and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, fibromyalgia is characterized
by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple "tender
points" (tenderness that occurs in precise, localized areas,
particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips). People
with this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbances, morning
stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms.
Note: Chronic
fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia share a number of symptoms,
and the names are often used interchangeably in the medical literature;
for a discussion of the differences and similarities, see this
article from the Arthritis Foundation.
"The
Wall" is a gateway to a popular discussion board for people
who are concerned about Fibromyalgia and related illnesses. Separate
pages include advocacy, chat sites, contests, conferences, information
resources, reading lists, archives, and links to other web sites.
You'll also find information about the "Wallabies,"
including links to their personal home pages and art works.
This site
from the Missouri Arthritis Rehabilitation Research and Training
Center includes a guide to fibromyalgia web sites; a "Help
Yourself Guide" to newsletters, books, videos, persons,
and programs; FAQ's for patients and physicians; and articles.
NFRA describes
itself as an activisit organization "dedicated to education,
treatment, and finding a cure for fibromyalgia." Its web
site includes diagnostic criteria and an informational guide,
recent material regarding the connection between the central
nervous system (Chiari & cervical spinal cord stenosis) and
FM/CFIDS, information and NFRA, and links to other resources.
This fact
sheet from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
and Skin Diseases answers basic questions about what fibromyalgia
is, how many people have it, what causes it, and how it is diagnosed
and treated. Current research and additional resources are also
included. The Institute also has a separate publication on Fibromyalgia
Research.