n. a chronic rheumatic disorder which also affects the sympathetic nervous system, characterized by widespread pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances. An estimated 4 to 6 million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia. 
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a widespread muscular pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia refers to pain specifically in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons the soft fibrous tissues in the body. This is distinct from arthritis, where the pain emanates from the joints. The pain and fatigue experienced by fibromyalgia patients is chronic, but tends to wax and wane in intensity. Because of characteristic biochemistry of their nervous systems, patients have a amplified sensation of pain as compared to someone without FMS. Other defining symptoms include extreme fatigue and sleep disorders.
Symptom severity is highly individualistic and varies from patient to patient but can be disabling in up to 25% of patients. Some patients find themselves unable to continue working in their chosen professions and others may even have difficulty performing everyday tasks.
Four to six million Americans suffer from FMS with the majority (upwards of 85%) of them women. It has been diagnosed in all age groups, although in most patients the symptoms begin during their 20's and 30's. There is currently no generally accepted cure for this condition.
Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia
There are no diagnostic blood test, x-ray or other imaging techniques which detect abnormalities for FMS. Fibromyalgia is typically diagnosed by a rheumatologist, based on careful evaluation of the patients pain history and an accurate manual tender point examination. 
Specific criteria outlined by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) are:
(1) Widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months.
(2) Tenderness or pain in at least 11 of the specified tender points at characteristic locations when pressure is applied. It is important to emphasize that this examination is a medically accepted diagnostic clinical technique. Although subjective, these criteria are quantifiable.
While not included in the ACR diagnostic criteria, most FMS patients also suffer from a sleep disorder that prevents them from getting deep, restful, restorative sleep. Additionally patients might exhibit any/all of the following: chronic headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, cognitive or memory impartment (fibro-fog), or skin sensitivities.
Treatments for Fibromyalgia
Although fibromyalgia has no known cure, its symptoms can be treated through a combination of approaches: pharmaceuticals, Holistic medicine, exercise, and lifestyle changes to avoiding activities that worsen the symptoms. Medications Traditional pharmaceutical treatments are geared toward improving the quality of sleep and reducing pain.
Taken at night, tricyclic antidepressants (amitrptyline/Elavil), muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine/Flexeril), or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Prozac and Paxil), help people with fibromyalgia get the deep, restorative sleep they often lack. In addition these antidepressants can be used in higher dosages to treat depression that often accompanies restrictive life changes and chronic pain. Sleep medication such as Ambien (zolpidem) or Restoril (temazepam) can also be used to promote sleep.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce inflammation - which is not a specific feature of fibromyalgia - for mild pain relief. Non prescription examples are aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Alieve). Prescription only COX-2 inhibitors such as Viox, Bextra, and Celebrex, are effective but have come under critical review by the FDA because of links with heart attacks. Their future commercial availability is now in question. Nevertheless all NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal distress and stomach ulcers under prolonged use.
Analgesics are also used for pain relief. Acetominophen (Tyenol, Panadol) and prescription tramadol (Ultram) can reduce pain. If pain relief is not achieved with NSAIDs, trycyclics, acetaminophen or tramadol, then narcotics such as codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone or methadone may be considered. Doctors generally agree that narcotics are necessary for only a small number of people with fibromyalgia.
Exercise We all need exercise. For those with fibromyalgia, fatigue and pain can significantly reduce activity and almost eliminate exercise. This often results (along with medication) to significant weight gain that increasingly aggravates the FMS. It is important to stay out of this spiral and get moderate exercise to stretch muscles and improve cardiovascular fitness. Exercise will help with your pain, but the exercise itself may not be pain-free.
Walking is good exercise that most people with FMS can do. Bicycling is also a possibility for most. But also consider exercise in a heated pool (84 to 87 degrees F). The water helps relax muscles and reduce pain. It supports you and provides resistance. A trained physical therapist can outline an effective regime for you.
Also eastern techniques such as Tai-chi, Qi-gong, and light yoga can be effective. These supply a surprising amount of exercise that is non-impact which stretches and strengthens muscles.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies Over the past several years, many people have become interested in alternative therapies because traditional western medicine has not provide the needed relief. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice in which the practitioner inserts hair-like needles into specific points of the body to increase the flow of energy (qi) through invisible pathways called meridians. These are the same energy pathways involved in Tai-chi, Qi-gong and yoga. While meridians dont correspond to western human anatomy, acupuncture does stimulate the bodys pain killing chemicals, such as endorphins and serotonin. Acupuncture has become fairly mainstream and offered at many hospital holistic care departments.
Complementary therapies such as chiropractic and therapeutic message are also engaged to treat fibromyalgia. Both treatments are readily available but can be expensive over the long term. As with acupuncture, check your insurance to determine if coverage is available.
Herbal medicine has also gained in popularity because "natural products" have an appeal over "drugs" to some. S-adenosylmethione (SAM-e), magnesium, coenzyme Q10, St. Johns Wort, all have their adherents and might be effective for treatment of fibromyalgia. But there are some considerations in their use:
These extracts, vitamins, and minerals are sold without prescription as dietary supplements. Marketed as supplements, they are not regulated by the FDA and quality and efficacy can be an issue use products marketed by well-established companies.
Herbal supplements do contain biologically active components (read drugs) that can have interactions with other medications you are taking. Consult your doctor before trying any herbal remedy, and dont stop your current prescribed treatment. Take note of any side effects you experience and notify your doctor.
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