FIBROSITIS

General Information

DEFINITION--Inflammation of muscles, muscle sheaths and connective-tissue layers of tendons, muscles, bones and joints.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Muscular areas of the low back, neck, shoulder, chest, arms, hips and thighs.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Adults (usually begins between ages 30 and 60) and in women more often than men (ratio of 5 to 1).

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Stiffness and weakness.
• Sudden, painful muscle spasms ("charley horse") that worsen with activity.
• Nodules or localized areas that are tender to the touch (trigger points).
• Painful muscle areas.
• Fatigue.
• Difficulty remaining asleep.

CAUSES--Unknown. Possibly an imbalance in brain chemicals or an autoimmune disorder. Until recently, this was thought to be a psychological disorder, but this is no longer the wide-spread belief. Research continues into the cause.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Stress.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Muscle injury.
• Exposure to dampness or cold.
• Medical history of disorders that produce joint inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis or polyarteritis.
• Viral infections.
• Poor nutrition.
• Fatigue or overwork.

HOW TO PREVENT

• Avoid risk factors when possible.
• Get adequate sleep.
• General conditioning exercises.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory blood studies to measure inflammation and tests to rule out rheumatoid arthritis or polymyalgia. There is no specific test for fibromyositis.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care after diagnosis.
• Doctor's treatment.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Muscle atrophy, disability.
• Abuse of pain-killing medications.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Spontaneous recovery in some persons. Other persons may have flare-ups and remissions indefinitely. The disease is uncomfortable, but not life-threatening. Symptoms can be controlled with treatment.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Heat relieves pain. Take hot showers, and let the water beat on painful areas. Use heat lamps, electric heating pads, whirlpool or plain tub baths and hot compresses.
• Have someone gently massage painful areas.
• Regular rest patterns may be helpful.
• Eliminate unnecessary stress in your life (see How to Cope with Stress in Appendix).
• Learn relaxation techniques.
• Biofeedback is helpful for some patients who use it to relax contracted muscles.
• Maintain your social life and contact with friends, even though the pain may be distracting at times.

MEDICATION--

• For minor discomfort, you may use non-prescription drugs such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Your doctor may prescribe: Cortisone injections into "trigger points." Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Antidepressants in low dosages and for short periods.

ACTIVITY--

• Stay as active as possible, even when you are in pain. Stretching exercises may be helpful.
• General conditioning exercises are helpful.

DIET--No special diet, but avoid substances that interfere with sleep, such as caffeine and alcohol.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of fibrositis that last more than 2 or 3 days.
• New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.