Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by widespread muscle pain and tenderness. It affects around 2% of the US population. While the cause is unknown, it is believed to involve abnormalities in the central nervous system that increase pain sensitivity. Diagnosis is based on evaluating tender points and a symptom severity scale. Treatments aim to reduce pain and improve sleep, mood, and daily functioning, and may include medications, exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and complementary therapies. The prognosis is not life-threatening but symptoms can fluctuate over time. More research is still needed to better understand and manage this complex condition.

1. Laura Wind
General Medical Conditions
12/4/2015
FIBROMYALGIA
Introduction
Many know fibromyalgia is characterized by wide spread muscle pain, but what most do not
realize is what this is caused by. This pain is wide spread is also characterized by chronic muscle
pain and other symptoms which include, but are not limited to, fatigue, some cognitive
dysfunction, poor sleep, stiffness, and increased tenderness in specific areas of the body.1
However, of the 7%-11% of the population that has chronic wide spread pain, only 1%-5% are
diagnosed with fibromyalgia.2
Fibromyalgia may also be associated with some conditions
including headache, irritable bowel syndrome, and mood disorders.3
There are also multiple
comorbidities involved with fibromyalgia. These comorbid diseases include, migraines,
interstitial cystitis, and allergic reactions.4
It is found in about 2% of the US population, and is a
condition that includes pain spanning all 4 limbs along with the trunk.1,3
Fibromyalgia can
overlap with a variety of other related syndromes related to the central nervous system and its
potential malfunction.5
Diagnosis of this condition is usually determined by a description of
symptoms and point tenderness in 11 to 18 sites on the body.1,6
Classification of this syndrome
bring forth an issue due to the abnormal changes in muscles and connective tissues stemming
from the central nervous system functional problems.2
Since fibromyalgia does come with a
majority of complicated characteristics, there are a variety of different ways to address it
diagnostically and with treatment plans. These can involve a number of pharmacological and
rehabilitative means to manage the disease with no curative option.

2. Signs and Symptoms
Classifying fibromyalgia, based on studies, can be done by examining pain sensitivity,
psychiatric associations, the condition involving depression, and a somatoform pain disorder.
However, the topic of classification, along with most aspects of this disorder, is associated with
criticism due to the subjectivity of its diagnosis. A rheumatology clinic has laid out a
classification system for this disorder as follows: sub group 1 is fibromyalgia with a large
sensitivity to pain and no psychiatric conditions involved, subgroup 2 is fibromyalgia along with
comorbid depression due to the pain, subgroup 3 is depression with fibromyalgia, and subgroup
4 is fibromyalgia due to somatization. These subgroups can be determined from patients based
on MPI questionnaire responses.7
The signs and symptoms for this disorder, like most aspects of the disorder, can be
subjective based on severity, type of pain, and combination of location. Widespread pain which
is characterized as axial pain, both right and left sided pain, and both upper and lower level pain.
Tender point count is that primary symptom for classification of fibromyalgia.8
This is due to
the lack of visual signs from an objective stand point. However, there are a few more symptoms
that are noted which include fatigue, cognitive associations, sleep disturbances, stiffness, and
some somatic symptoms.1, 6
A study done by Wolfe, et al. examined the diagnostic criteria which
are categorized by several subjective measures when being examined. The measures used in this
particular study include using the widespread pain index (WPI), the seven and symptom severity
scale sore (SS), the five or WPI 3-6 and SS scale score, the length of time that the symptoms
have been present (at least 3 months), and no other disorder which would explain the pain. The
WPI is a system scored between 0 and 19 noting which of each of the following areas has had
pain in the last week. The areas tested are (right and left if applicable) the shoulder girdle, upper

3. arm, lower arm, hip (buttock/greater trochanter), upper leg, lower leg, jaw, chest, abdomen,
upper back, lower back, and neck. The SS scale score takes into account fatigue, waking
unrefreshed, and cognitive symptoms. For each of those aspects, the severity will be rated on a 0
to 3 scale, 0 meaning no problem, 1 meaning slight to mild or intermittent pain, 2 meaning
moderate problems often present, and 3 meaning severe or life-disturbing problems. Part of the
SS which grades the somatic symptoms is graded by 0 to 3, 0 is no symptoms, 1 is few
symptoms, 2 is moderate symptoms, and 3 is a large amount of symptoms. The sum of each
symptom is added which comes to a final total of 0-12.8
Many environmental factors may play a
part in the presentation and frequency of fibromyalgia symptoms, but the largest issue in
diagnosis is the combination of other disorders that may be causing the widespread pain, the
most common characteristic in fibromyalgia.5
Referral
When diagnosing and managing fibromyalgia, there are multiple different physicians and

4. help prescribe medications to maintain better sleep habits, antidepressant medications, or just
offer a safe environment to discuss ways to manage the widespread pain and depression caused
by the variety of aspects of fibromyalgia.10
Another important specialist in this disorder is the
pain specialist. Fibromyalgia has the main characteristic of widespread pain which means pain
specialists will play a role in helping to find to root of the pain as well as managing pain in a way
that may be individualized to each patient in order to find the best type of treatment possible for
this highly subjective disorder and diagnosis.2
The final member of the referral team used is the
rheumatologist. Rheumatologists play a very important role because they help with diagnosing
and managing pain in the musculoskeletal areas which are involved. Since pain is the most
common symptom and usually the only symptom that is always a constant, it is very important to
have the input of these specialists or even have them be the head of the fibromyalgia
management team as they have specialized in these and other similar pain disorders. Basically,
because there are many aspects to diagnosing and managing this disorder, it is important to have
the input and support of a variety of specialists to ensure the patient will get the best care
necessary in order to live their life and performs their daily activities to their fullest potential.
Diagnostic Tests
Diagnostic techniques and tools for fibromyalgia, like many aspects of the disease, can have a
large range based on the different ways this may present itself in different people. As mentioned
previously, fibromyalgia is typically determined based on questionnaires that the patient fills out
and a thorough examination of a number of trigger points which help us group or classify
patients in different ways. The initial diagnostic tool for all cases of fibromyalgia, is the use of a
symptom severity scale. In a study by Wolfe et.al, findings showed that 88.1% of cases could be
correctly classified from the symptom severity scale without and physical or tender points

5. evaluation.8
However, since there are no real diagnostic tools to use to determine the presence of
fibromyalgia in reality, the tender point assessment accompanied with a symptom severity scale,
which is based on the subjects pain scale, is the best way to determine the presence or absence of
the disorder in general. The symptoms involved in the severity scale include not only pain, but
levels of fatigue as well. Since this disorder is so subjective, there is no official gold standard in

6. conditions, present conditions, and opinions in order to form a proper diagnosis and plan for the
management of fibromyalgia for each individual.
Differential Diagnosis
Due to the general widespread pain and other unexplained symptoms fibromyalgia has many
differential diagnosis possibilities. Widespread pain, which is the major characteristic of this
disorder, may be due to a number of different diseases or conditions to which this symptom is
just the beginning of a much larger issue occurring for the patient.

7. presence of any of the previously listed conditions should at least a partial indicator that the
disturbance of sleep, widespread pain, and psychosocial involvement may be associated with a

8. intravenous of a serotonin receptor antagonist tropisetron for analgesic effects.4
Another
effective form of treatment physical therapy which helps manage inflammation with a variety of
modalities and the use of muscles and musculoskeletal junctions involved. With exercise
therapy, it is important for the patient to choose the right form of exercises which usually include
starting with lighter intensities and then working up to moderate and sometimes even vigorous
intensities. Exercise performance, however: is best increased and helpful when the patient

9. Prognosis
The outlook or prognosis for those with fibromyalgia is not deadly, but it is a disorder that does

10. found in fibromyalgia and other related central system sensitivity disorders. This is unfortunate,
because it means the onset of fibromyalgia may not be able to be stopped due to the familial
nature of the condition. However, the possible link to genetic findings also means that steps in
the right direction are being taken to find out more about this disorder and what is causing its
uncomfortable symptoms for those afflicted with it.15
A study done by Goldeberg examined the
improvement of symptoms may be achieved by patient education of the disorder, its potential
pathophysiology, its mechanism, and potential exercises used.12
Everyday posture and alignment
assessments may be beneficial to adjust discomforts in everyday activities which will influence
further irritation to the condition itself. Finally, a relaxation techniques intervention will be
helpful to these patients which includes decreasing muscle tension, decreasing anxiety, imagery
techniques which engages multiple body systems, and using biofeedback or electromyogram
activities to initiate relaxation in specific areas that may be causing increased symptoms or
irritation. Since there is no set method of prevention for fibromyalgia, as is a trend in most
aspects of this condition, it is important for the patient to understand what is occurring in order to
manage in properly.
Case Study
To view how fibromyalgia may present, I examined a case study published by Dr. Goldberg,
who was a Professor of Gastroenterology, Public Health, and Clinical Nutrition at Life College
for over 20 years then moved to a current practice in Clinical Nutrition, Natural Hygiene,
Clinical Epidemiology, and Biological Medicine as current Director of The Goldberg Clinic in
Atlanta.
Patient is a 41 year old female suffering from diffuse muscle pain in shoulders, neck, knees,
upper legs, and sometimes through the upper back. She was referred to Dr. Goldberg after

11. general physician had made diagnosis of fibromyalgia through a tender point assessment. Dr.
Goldberg examined nutrition through complete blood count and blood chemistry to ensure none
of these factors were leading to her fatigue. Patient was also seeing chiropractor to receive
massages and spinal adjustments. Her general physician had suggested seeking psychiatric
counseling if the problem persisted.
For management in this particular case, she was on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications,
an antidepressant, and experimenting with herbal formulas and homeopathic products in order to
decrease her muscular pain. She struggled with sleeping and had no sexual drive. After seeing
Dr. Goldberg, he added a more organized dietary plan, a routine bedtime, a swimming program,
an increase of enjoyable activities, and, if necessary after two to three months, a hormonal
examination. After the first ten days, she felt improvement. By six weeks her pains had
diminished about 80% and she had returned to regular activities. She added swim to her regular
routine due to the full success of her plan.12
Conclusion

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(2009), Fibromyalgia Syndrome. 106(23), 383-391.
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