Overview
Fibromyalgia includes widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain and stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Fibromyalgia pain has been described as deep, throbbing, twitching, stabbing, and shooting musculoskeletal pain. These symptoms manifest in varying intensities that come and go over time.
Symptoms
Fatigue, sleep disturbance, irritable bowel and bladder, headaches and migraines, restless-legs syndrome, impaired memory and concentration, neurologic symptoms, and impaired coordination.
Diagnosis
Painful mastication (chewing); sleep disturbances, including bruxism (a chronic clenching or grinding teeth while sleeping or awake), diffuse musculoskeletal pain in trunk, extremities, and head and neck.
Treatment
Pain management with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), behavioral therapy, sleep-habit counseling, and exercise. Newer treatments may include non-narcotic pain relievers (e.g., tramadol) or low doses of antidepressants (e.g., TCAs, serotonin uptake inhibitors) or benzodiazepines.
Prognosis
Adequate with continued medication and behavioral-therapy management.