- 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.
- FibroMyalgia Patient Support Center (“The Wall”)
- “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.
- Fibromyalgia Syndrome Resources
- 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.
- National Fibromyalgia Research Association (NFRA)
- 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.
- Questions and Answers About Fibromyalgia
- 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.
- Related Subjects
- Arthritis
- Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS)
- Resources in your state
-
(c) 1997-2013 Disability Resources, inc.