Fibromyalgia is a chronic (long-lasting) condition characterised by widespread pain and fatigue. 90% of those affected are female and most patients start to experience symptoms between the ages of twenty and forty.
People with mild to moderate symptoms who are given appropriate treatment are able to live a normal life whereas those individuals with more severe symptoms may have to give up work and will find socialising quite difficult.
Because fibromyalgia is not detectable by means of blood tests or x-rays, some doctors have in the past viewed this condition with some scepticism. This is unfounded, fibromyalgia is a very real and quite debilitating condition that needs to be taken seriously and treated accordingly. The Fibromyalgia Association website has a document which sets out the steps to take if "your medical professional refuses to accept fibromyalgia as a 'real' illness".
The "dual" nature of fybromyalgia (pain and fatigue) means that it can often lead to quite severe bouts of depression and withdrawal which again feeds into and exacerbates the original condition.
Fibromyalgia symptoms can be improved by means of medication and exercise which combine to reduce feelings of exhaustion and ameliorate the pain that is often felt throughout the body.
