<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

> What is fibromyalgia????

The Fibromyalgia Patients' Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) (send a GET
FIBROM-L PT-FAQ command to [log in to unmask]) defines it thus:

       "Fibromyalgia is a common and disabling disorder affecting 2-4%
        of the population, women more often than men.  Despite the
        condition's frequency, the diagnosis is often missed.  Patients
        with fibromyalgia usually ache all over, sleep poorly, are stiff
        on waking, and are tired all day.  They are prone to headaches,
        memory and concentration problems, dizziness, numbness and
        tingling, itching, fluid retention, crampy abdominal or pelvic
        pain and diarrhea, and several other symptoms.

        There are no diagnostic lab or x-ray abnormalities, but a
        physician can confirm the diagnosis by finding multiple tender
        points in characteristic locations.  Fibromyalgia often runs in
        families, suggesting an inherited predisposition.  It may lie
        dormant until triggered by an injury, stress, or sleep
        disturbance.  It is closely related to the chronic fatigue and
        irritable bowel syndromes.  Some have suggested that these are
        all just different facets of the same underlying disorder."


-Roy
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