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.