Originally named fibrositis, it is a mysteriously debilitating syndrome that attacks women more often than men. It is not physically damaging to the body in any way, but is characterized by the constant presence of widespread pain that often moves about the body. Fibromyalgia can be so severe that it is often incapacitating. Also: FMS

	Anxiety Relationship to Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome "...It is also possible that the same chemical imbalances in the brain that cause fibromyalgia also cause depression and anxiety..." Aspartame (Nutrasweet) Avoidance As A Treatment "...Aspartame Disease may mimic symptoms of, or worsen: Fibromyalgia, arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, lupus, multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), diabetes and diabetic Complications, seizures, Alzheimer's disease, birth defects,..." Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome The Condition "...Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a pain disorder associated with multiple tender points, sleep disturbances (insomnia and non-restorative sleep), and fatigue..." Our Question about quality of sleep "Based on doctors' estimates, sleep disturbances are experienced by approximately 75% of Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia sufferers..." Relationship to Vitamin D Requirement "Some doctors automatically test the vitamin D status of anyone who comes to them with "fibromyalgia", since fibromyalgia is easily misdiagnosed and vitamin D deficiency is easily cured..." Relationship to Environmental Illness / MCS "MCS is a distinct illness that many times is diagnosed secondarily to CFS and/or fibromyalgia..." Relationship to Gulf War Illness "Although there is not yet a case definition for Gulf War Illness, the chronic signs and symptoms loosely fit the clinical criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia Syndrome..." Relationship to Low HGH (Human Growth Hormone) "...IGF-1 levels are abnormally low in some fibromyalgia patients..." Relationship to Hypercoagulation (Thickened Blood) "Studies show that 79-92% of CFS/FMS patients have a hypercoagulation defect..." Relationship to IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) "Research has shown that IBS frequently co-exists with CFS and fibromyalgia..." Relationship to Liver Detoxification / Support Requirement "In one evaluation of 200 Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia patients it was found that 80% had a significant impairment of liver detoxification function..." Relationship to Lyme Disease "Lyme disease should be a differential diagnosis for all fibromyalgia patients who could have been exposed to a tick bite..." Recommendation MSM (Methyl Sulfonyl Methane) "...Stanley Jacobs, MD, MSM can be helpful in most musculoskeletal pain and inflammation conditions, including fibromyalgia..." Recommendation GHB (Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate) "GHB has been reported to help decrease pain and improve sleep amongst fibromyalgia patients..." Recommendation Therapeutic Fasting "Fasting is reported to help in cases of fibromyalgia, but probably not chronic fatigue syndrome..." Recommendation Calming / Stretching Exercises "...FMS sufferers frequently complain about decreased energy, but the Tech subjects reported that the yoga exercises actually increased energy levels..." Recommendation Raw Food Diet "In one study, the effect of a strict, low-salt, uncooked vegan diet rich in lactobacteria in 18 fibromyalgia patients both during and after a 3-month intervention period was evaluated..." Recommendation Aspartame (Nutrasweet) Avoidance "According to researchers and physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia among other conditions can be triggered or worsened by ingesting aspartame..." Recommendation Plant-Based Nutrition "See the link between Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia and Raw Food Diet..." Cold Hands and Feet Relationship to Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome "Raynaud's phenomenon (severe cold hands and feet) affects about 16% of fibromyalgia sufferers..." Depression Relationship to Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome "70% to 100% (different studies show various numbers) of fibromyalgia patients are found to have depression, though many consider that this is more likely to be a result of the muscular pain rather than part of the cause..." GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) As A Treatment "...This activity has made GABA supplements one of the more useful substances for nerve-induced muscle spasms, Myofacial Pain Syndrome, trigger point pain, fibromyalgia, and some menstrual cramping..." Guaifenesin As A Treatment "...Guaifenesin was chosen for the experimental guaifenesin protocol in the 1990s as a treatment for fibromyalgia, and proponents of the guaifenesin protocol believe that it cures fybromyalgia by removing excess phosphate from the body..." Gulf War Illness The Condition "...1289-94] Although there is not yet a case definition for Gulf War Illness, the chronic signs and symptoms loosely fit the clinical criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and/or Fibromyalgia Syndrome..." Recommendation Antibiotics "...at The Institute for Molecular Medicine have found that slightly under one-half of the very sick Gulf War Illness patients in a pilot study with the signs and symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Fibromyalgia have chronic invasive infections involving certain uncommon mycoplasmas, such as Mycoplasma fermentans (incognitus strain)..." Headaches Relationship to Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome "Severe headaches are experienced by 44-56% of fibromyalgia sufferers..." Hypercoagulation (Thickened Blood) The Condition "...This list currently includes CFS/FMS, myofascial pain syndrome, osteonecrosis of the jaw, fetal loss, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, Sjogren's syndrome, IBS, Lyme disease, autism, gulf war illness and ADD..." Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut The Condition "...Chemical sensitivity, fibromyalgia and escalating food allergies are among the many manifestations of a leaky gut..." Insomnia The Condition "...Compulsive urination insomnia is often seen in patients suffering from fibromyalgia (FMS) due to hypersensitive nerve endings that cause wakening due to bladder pressure..." Liver Detoxification Phase II Support As A Treatment "...In some cases this combination is believed to be the cause of marked environmental sensitivities, drug intolerances and interactions that characterize many chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia patients..." Magnesium As A Treatment "...Magnesium supplements have been found useful for: Angina, Asthma, Gall Stones, Menstrual cramps, High blood pressure, Hyperactivity, Glucose intolerance - diabetes and hypoglycemia, Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Prevention of hearing loss, Kidney stones, Leg cramps, Migraine, Osteoporosis, PMS and Prostate health..." Magnesium Malate As A Treatment "...Because malic acid plays a key role in the production of energy in the mitochondria, it is often recommended with magnesium for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome..." Malic Acid As A Treatment "...Malic acid has gained its way into the list of supplemental ingredients as a support for the condition known as fibromyalgia (FM)..." Meyer's Cocktail As A Treatment "...Reasons For Use The "cocktail" is indicated for chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, muscle spasm, asthma, hives, allergic rhinitis, congestive heart failure, angina, ischemic vascular disease, acute infections, and senile dementia..." Muscle Pains (Myalgia) The Condition "...Some of the most common causes are ... Fibromyalgia..." Noni As A Treatment "...It is also used for asthma; digestive disorders including ulcers; irritable bowel syndrome; constipation and diarrhea; and fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by fatigue and chronic pain..." Prolotherapy As A Treatment "...Muscle pain from fibromyalgia and other similar conditions..." Raynaud's Phenomenon Relationship to Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome "Raynaud’s phenomenon is found in between 30% and 50% of CFS/FMS sufferers..." Rheumatoid Arthritis Relationship to Chronic Thyroiditis "...is seen at least 3 times more often in women with rheumatoid arthritis than in women with similar demographic features with non-inflammatory rheumatoid diseases such as osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia..." S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) As A Treatment "...Both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome respond very well to this chemical in many cases..." Therapeutic Fasting As A Treatment "...Conditions responding to fasting include: Headaches, hypoglycemia, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, acne and eczema, tinnitus, vertigo, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, cervical dysplasia, chronic neck and back pain, polymyalgia rheumatica, and many others..." Tryptophan / 5HTP As A Treatment "...It can restore serotonin levels and help improve general mood, insomnis, chronic headaches, depression, weight loss, migraines, anxiety, PMS, and Fibromyalgia..." Vulvodynia / Vestibulitis Relationship to Chronic Fatigue / Fibromyalgia Syndrome "...Amand, MD, specializing in fibromyalgia and author of What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Fibromyalgia believes that all women with chronic vulvodynia have a form of fibromyalgia..." Weakened Immune System The Condition "...Such conditions include, but are not limited to, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders in general, primary chronic polyarthritis, chronic candidiasis, cancer, neurodermatitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, food and other allergies, Chronic..." Yeast / Candida Infection The Condition "...The symptoms include: muscle aches, sore/stiff joints, fatigue, problems with particular organs, recurrent urinary tract infections, serious illnesses (Asthma, ADHD, Diabetes, MS, Arthritis, CFS, Fibromyalgia)..."

Last updated: Oct 26, 2007