Fibromyalgia pain is one of the deciding factors in diagnosing fibromyalgia. What happens when you hurt all over and your doctor doesn't find any cause for the pain, and the pain continues for months? The pain in and of itself may be what determines the diagnosis: fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is an ongoing condition characterized by widespread pain in your tendons, ligaments and muscles and in as least 11 of 18 tender points. These tender points are specific locations on your body where even a little pressure causes pain. These tender points include long-term pain in the knees, hips, elbows, upper chest, upper back, shoulders, neck, and the back of the head. Fibromyalgia may cause your muscles to feel like they have been stained or pulled, even though you have not used them. Sometimes one's muscles will burn or feel sharp piercing pains, or they may twitch.
Fibromyalgia pain is believed to be caused by the "central sensitization" theory. This theory posits that those with fibromyalgia have an increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals. Experts believe that repeated stimulation of the nervous system caused the brains of people with fibromyalgia to change. The change includes an increase in brain chemicals which signal pain (neurotransmitters). In response, the brain's pain memory becomes more sensitive, causing it to overreact to pain signals.
Fibromyalgia pain causes additional complications. It prevents sleep and this leads to fatigue and irritability during one's waking hours. The pains prevent one from exercising with friends and with being comfortable around people. Relationships become strained and may be lost, leading to loneliness. This in turn can lead to depression.
Although fibromyalgia pain will probably persist throughout one's life, if treated properly it does not worsen or threaten one's life. Treatments can lessen fibromyalgia pains and can improve ones general health. Treatments should also include social and psychological counseling to strengthen the person's ability to cope with fibromyalgia.
