Why should we go to these lengths?  It is estimated that 2% - 4% of the population could have fibromyalgia and many of these will have spent years suffering pain and fatigue before being diagnosed.  Others are worrying about their pain and fatigue without being diagnosed.  Many people have been diagnosed because they recognised the symptoms from media information and asked their doctors if fibromyalgia could be the cause of the different aches and pains that they had been trying to cope with. 

People with fibromyalgia typically have a range of symptoms which can change and vary from day to day.

These include:

• Muscle pain and stiffness
• Fatigue
• Specific tender points
• Disturbed sleep
• Poor concentration
• Irritable bowel syndrome

Because the symptoms vary in intensity from day to day, planning work and even daily life can be difficult.  The feeling of letting people down can add to the frustration and stress and exacerbates the condition.  Not understanding why this is happening can lead to a sense of guilt and worry about possible causes for the sufferer and misunderstanding by employers, family and friends.

If you know 100 people it is likely that 2 of them will develop fibromyalgia, especially if they are women.  This means most people will be affected by fibromyalgia directly or indirectly at some time in their lives. 

For an information pack please send a 40p large sae to:

Fibromyalgia Association UK, PO Box 206, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY9 8YL