• Pain – for at least 3 months, widespread, on both sides of the body, above and below the waist, in at least 11 of 18 pre-determined “trigger points” and also in the spine and/or ribcage.
• Persistent fatigue, even after a full night’s sleep, and problems with sleep (insomnia, etc.).
• Morning stiffness
• Many patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia also report depression, chronic headache, numbness, and gastrointestinal symptoms (these can include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, etc. – symptoms consistent with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS).

Lab testing is employed most often to eliminate other diagnoses. This includes tests of thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH, levels, T3 and T4 levels), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or “sed rate”) and rheumatoid factor levels (these can be elevated in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders), and tests for Lyme disease, HIV, or other infections. Treatments for fibromyalgia are varied, and can include:

• Pain relievers – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and stronger pain relievers can help certain patients. Certain muscle-relaxing agents and antidepressants have also been useful to treat the pain associated with this disease.
• Problems associated with sleep have been treated with antidepressants, as well as instituting good sleep “hygiene” practices (having a fixed bedtime hour, no reading/TV in bed, a good sleeping environment, etc.).
• Depression – this can be treated similarly as above, with antidepressants from the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor class (SNRIs) showing the most promise at present.
• Support – fibromyalgia can be effectively treated and lived with, and support from family, friends, and healthcare providers is an essential component to successful treatment.
• Exercise – both light aerobic exercise (walking, etc.) and stretching can really help patients with fibromyalgia.
• Other – stress management, elimination of alcohol intake, and development of active and effective self-management techniques (often achieved through therapy) can also help. In addition, “alternative” therapies like massage, acupuncture, meditation and other relaxation techniques have also been shown to be of some benefit.

• The American College of Rheumatology has produced guidelines on the classification and diagnosis of fibromyalgia, available at http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/classification/fibro.asp and http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/guidelines/musc/musc-dis.asp
• The American Academy of Family Physicians has also produced a very readable article on the treatment of fibromyalgia, available at http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001001/1575.html
• The Fibromyalgia Network has a variety of useful information available on symptoms, treatment, and current research. Available at: http://www.fmnetnews.com
• The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association also has some valuable links as well as information on current research. Available at:
  A Special Wedding Invitation for Your Wedding Planner
  Thousands of couples make the decision to get married, each year. The majority of those couples will plan their own wedding, but some will hire the services of a wedding planner. A wedding planner is a professional individual who will take care of almost all wedding planning aspects. Their work is always important. If you are using the services of a wedding planner, you may be wondering how you can thank them for their work.There are a wide variety of different ways that you can express your appreciation to your wedding planner. One of the most common ways includes giving them a tip or a bonus. While extra money is always appreciated, not everyone can afford to offer their wedding planner a bonus. There
  diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, etc. – symptoms consistent with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS).

Lab testing is employed most often to eliminate other diagnoses. This includes tests of thyroid function (thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH, levels, T3 and T4 levels), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or “sed rate”) and rheumatoid factor levels (these can be elevated in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders), and tests for Lyme disease, HIV, or other infections. Treatments for fibromyalgia are varied, and can include:

• Pain relievers – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and stronger pain relievers can help certain patients. Certain muscle-relaxing agents and antidepressants have also been useful to treat the pain associated with this disease.
• Problems associated with sleep have been treated with antidepressants, as well as instituting good sleep “hygiene” practices (having a fixed bedtime hour, no reading/TV in bed, a good sleeping environment, etc.).
• Depression – this can be treated similarly as above, with antidepressants from the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor class (SNRIs) showing the most promise at present.
• Support – fibromyalgia can be effectively treated and lived with, and support from family, friends, and healthcare providers is an essential component to successful treatment.
• Exercise – both light aerobic exercise (walking, etc.) and stretching can really help patients with fibromyalgia.
• Other – stress management, elimination of alcohol intake, and development of active and effective self-management techniques (often achieved through therapy) can also help. In addition, “alternative” therapies like massage, acupuncture, meditation and other relaxation techniques have also been shown to be of some benefit.

• The American College of Rheumatology has produced guidelines on the classification and diagnosis of fibromyalgia, available at http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/classification/fibro.asp and http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/guidelines/musc/musc-dis.asp
• The American Academy of Family Physicians has also produced a very readable article on the treatment of fibromyalgia, available at http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001001/1575.html
• The Fibromyalgia Network has a variety of useful information available on symptoms, treatment, and current research. Available at: http://www.fmnetnews.com
• The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association also has some valuable links as well as information on current research. Available at
  The Best Hair Cuts For Thinning Hair
  If you notice that you are starting to lose you hair, you need to consider the best hair cuts for thinning hair. For both men and women, short hair is the best. With longer hair it is easier to notice the thinning and the balding patches may be easy to notice. The type of hair cut you have also depends on the texture of your hair. If you have curly hair, it is best to have it cut in layers.If you notice that you hair is thinning, along with keeping it cut short, you can also think about coloring your hair. Lighter shades tend to hide the thinning much better. Darker shades show out the contrast in your hair, making it much easier for others to notice that you hair is getting thin. The process of lightening you
  ulating hormone, or TSH, levels, T3 and T4 levels), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or “sed rate”) and rheumatoid factor levels (these can be elevated in rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders), and tests for Lyme disease, HIV, or other infections. Treatments for fibromyalgia are varied, and can include:
  • Pain relievers – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and stronger pain relievers can help certain patients. Certain muscle-relaxing agents and antidepressants have also been useful to treat the pain associated with this disease.
  • Problems associated with sleep have been treated with antidepressants, as well as instituting good sleep “hygiene” practices (having a fixed bedtime hour, no reading/TV in bed, a good sleeping environment, etc.).
  • Depression – this can be treated similarly as above, with antidepressants from the serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor class (SNRIs) showing the most promise at present.
  • Support – fibromyalgia can be effectively treated and lived with, and support from family, friends, and healthcare providers is an essential component to successful treatment.
  • Exercise – both light aerobic exercise (walking, etc.) and stretching can really help patients with fibromyalgia.
  • Other – stress management, elimination of alcohol intake, and development of active and effective self-management techniques (often achieved through therapy) can also help. In addition, “alternative” therapies like massage, acupuncture, meditation and other relaxation techniques have also been shown to be of some benefit.
  Is treatment effective? Yes, it most certainly can be. Patients can benefit, as well, from including exercise in their regimen, and can feel substantially better if their sleep disturbances are well-controlled. Although fibromyalgia can be a persistent and vexing diagnosis, it can also, with proper treatment, be one that can be lived with successfully. Additional resources are available. They include:
  • The American College of Rheumatology has produced guidelines on the classification and diagnosis of fibromyalgia, available at http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/classification/fibro.asp and http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/guidelines/musc/musc-dis.asp
  • The American Academy of Family Physicians has also produced a very readable article on the treatment of fibromyalgia, available at http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001001/1575.html
  • The Fibromyalgia Network has a variety of useful information available on symptoms, treatment, and current research. Available at: http://www.fmnetnews.com
  • The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association also has some valuable links as well as information on current research. Available at
    Some Ideas For A Fundraising Event That May Be A Little Different
    For many people organizing a fundraising event can be quite tricky. But below we provide a number of different ideas that you may want to try for your next fundraising event. However in order to maximize your fundraising event idea to achieve maximum success it is important that you create public awareness of it within the community where you live. It is vital that you tell these people they reason as to why the fundraising event is taking place and where it will be held.Now let us look at some different fundraising event ideas which you may want to consider.1. Rubber Duck DerbyThis is not only easy to organize but it can be a great fun fundraising event as well. Plus you can scale it down t
    vely treated and lived with, and support from family, friends, and healthcare providers is an essential component to successful treatment.
  • Exercise – both light aerobic exercise (walking, etc.) and stretching can really help patients with fibromyalgia.
  • Other – stress management, elimination of alcohol intake, and development of active and effective self-management techniques (often achieved through therapy) can also help. In addition, “alternative” therapies like massage, acupuncture, meditation and other relaxation techniques have also been shown to be of some benefit.
  Is treatment effective? Yes, it most certainly can be. Patients can benefit, as well, from including exercise in their regimen, and can feel substantially better if their sleep disturbances are well-controlled. Although fibromyalgia can be a persistent and vexing diagnosis, it can also, with proper treatment, be one that can be lived with successfully. Additional resources are available. They include:
  • The American College of Rheumatology has produced guidelines on the classification and diagnosis of fibromyalgia, available at http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/classification/fibro.asp and http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/guidelines/musc/musc-dis.asp
  • The American Academy of Family Physicians has also produced a very readable article on the treatment of fibromyalgia, available at http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001001/1575.html
  • The Fibromyalgia Network has a variety of useful information available on symptoms, treatment, and current research. Available at: http://www.fmnetnews.com
  • The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association also has some valuable links as well as information on current research. Available at
    Online College Courses make sure they are Legit
    It wasn't all that long ago that online learning, or distance education as it's also known was just a supplemental way of taking more classes via an offline campus. As technology advances, and software and web page creation get better this market has grown into offering online college and high school courses as a very viable way of getting an education without ever having to leave home.For the person who might not have been able to attend college after high school, or the adult who didn't think it was required they now have a second chance. Even for those who have no form of transportation to or from the school, have children at home, hold down one or more jobs, or possibly even have a physical disability that
    logy has produced guidelines on the classification and diagnosis of fibromyalgia, available at http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/classification/fibro.asp and http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/guidelines/musc/musc-dis.asp
  • The American Academy of Family Physicians has also produced a very readable article on the treatment of fibromyalgia, available at http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001001/1575.html
  • The Fibromyalgia Network has a variety of useful information available on symptoms, treatment, and current research. Available at: http://www.fmnetnews.com
  • The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association also has some valuable links as well as information on current research. Available at: http://www.afsafund.org
  Finally, there are many, many other internet sources of “information” about fibromyalgia, but much of what is out there is not necessarily reliable. Be very careful in what you read and believe. In addition to just being inaccurate, it is also common for many web sites or other sources of information about fibromyalgia to also include additional symptoms that are not part of the clinical definition of fibromyalgia, which is well-defined. - Jonathan Fay, M.D., September 26, 2006.