One in 50 Americans are estimated to have fibromyalgia, a common chronic illness that causes widespread pain and stiffness that is intermittent and migrates throughout the body. While little is known about the cause, patients diagnosed with the disease are faced with myths and untruths that result in improper care and a misunderstanding of how live with fibromyalgia.

According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia affects two to four percent of people, mostly women. There is no test to detect this disease, but doctors conduct lab tests and X-rays to rule out other health problems. Although there is no cure, medication, lifestyle changes, exercise and good sleep and hygiene can relieve symptoms allowing the patient to live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Fibromyalgia is a disease of the muscles and connective tissue. Symptoms of fibromyalgia are tenderness to touch, stiffness fatigue, insomnia and decreased mental clarity. Other organ systems, due to the widespread effects of the disease, may also be affected. Those with the disease also complain of headaches, worsening anxiety and depression, panic attacks, digestive problems, irritable bladder, pelvic pain and burning and cramping of the extremities. No experience is the same for patients suffering from fibromyalgia and the disease has a wide range of intensities. Long-term ability to cope with the disease is defined by a person’s desire to control stress levels and lead a healthy lifestyle.

“Without a clear understanding of the cause of fibromyalgia and no cure, patients diagnosed with the disease are oftentimes left feeling confused, frustrated and scared about the treatment options that exist. Widespread myths and untruths surround this disease and it’s important to know the facts and recent medical findings that show symptoms of fibromyalgia can be managed and controlled,” said Dr. Ann Cheri Foxx, a pain specialist at Center for Pain and Supportive Care (CPSC) in Phoenix.

“If you were diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it is imperative to be certain of the diagnosis. Research the symptoms of the disease and make sure they ring true with you. A misdiagnosis could mean that a reversible malady could be the cause of your symptoms. Also, other chronic conditions, like arthritis, may mimic symptoms of fibromyalgia. Through testing, other diseases and conditions should be ruled out.”