Like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia is frequently under reported and misdiagnosed, with some individuals wondering if the disease even exists at all. Of course, for those who suffer from fibromyalgia, this illness is certainly real. No one is even sure exactly what this illness is, other than it is a feeling of chronic pain which does not improve over time.

So what are some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Most people with this illness will experience extreme fatigue as the result of having to deal with so much pain on a daily basis, and the feeling of pain is not located in a particular area, but spreads around the whole body. Fibromyalgia patients are at a higher risk of depression, and they will usually feel much more anxious than the average person.

They may also experience chronic back pain, insomnia, and hypersomnia, with the pain getting even worse if they exercise too much. Fibro fog may result in loss of concentration and short term memory difficulties, and the illness itself is best described as an all around haziness.

So what causes fibromyalgia?

Doctors and scientists are not exactly sure what fibromyalgia is, but there are a number of different theories which try to explain its origins. Some of these explanations are genetic, whereas others are environmental. Some scientists think hormone levels could be to blame due to malfunctioning glandular systems, while others think that fibermyalgia is an autoimmune disorder.

What is certain is that those who have suffered extreme events such as childhood abuse or physical trauma are at much higher risk of triggering this illness. It is likely that there is a genetic susceptibility to this illness, which then must be triggered by extreme life events.

Who can get fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia does not discriminate on the basis of age, but it does on the matter of sex. Women are much more likely to be diagnosed with this illness, which may be because women have a greater sensitivity to pain than men do.

Childhood fibromyalgia can occur, although it is fairly rare. The illness itself will usually take years, if not decades, in order to diagnose properly as most medical professionals are not properly informed of the symptoms of this illness and it is often misdiagnosed as another disorder.

Of course, doctors are most often right when trying to search for an illness besides fibermyalgia. Lyme disease, lupus, thyroid problems, and a number of other medical illnesses will mimic the symptoms of this neurological illness, and they are much more common.

So what is a simple fibromyalgia test that you can take?

You should ask yourself simple questions if you are thinking that you may have this disorder. Do you experience chronic pain all over your body, or in specific areas? Is this pain chronic or does it go away after a day or so? Do you experience extreme fatigue? Do you often look sickly or ill?

Do you have difficulty sleeping on most nights? Do you sometimes worry that you are losing your mind or that you may be experiencing early onset Alzheimer’s? Have you started to feel depressed about your pain?

If you can answer yes to many of these questions, it is good to keep a log of your symptoms in order to try to ascertain a pattern. In doing so, you can better self diagnosed yourself, taking your information to a physician so that a more accurate fibromyalgia diagnosis can be reached.

The next step is to find a doctor who will properly diagnose your fibromyalgia symptoms. The truth of the matter is that there are plenty of doctors who simply do not believe in this illness, or they simply believe that the illness itself is a secondary effect, due to some other illness or disorder.

If a medical professional rejects your illness out of hand, it is probably a good idea to get a doctor who will work with you. A proper approach to treating your illness should include supplements, moderate exercise, proper diet, and medications, both over the counter and prescription.

Moving on to fibromyalgia treatments, there are a number of medical and alternative treatments for this illness. Some fibromyalgia drugs may be used to treat secondary effects of this disorder such as depression or fatigue, while diet may help maintain a minimal level of pain.

If one has received a fibermyalgia diagnosis, it can be difficult dealing with the workplace, as well as family and friends. Remember that fibromyalgia pain is chronic, and it does not simply go away when you need to get about your daily life.

Most people with these symptoms are able to work full time, although it can be difficult to manage their pain. Fibromyalgia sufferers can usually be approved for Social Security disability, although they will usually require an experienced attorney to help them out. As there is no test for this illness, SSI officials knwo that there is the possibility of fraud.

Explaining fibromyalgia to a loved one can be difficult, as they may simply think that your illness is made up or that you are lazy. You may wish to explain the symptoms to your family in order so that they can better understand the illness itself. It is not difficult to tell when someone is suffering from constant pain.