Just latching onto a concise, useful definition for fibromyalgia is often the first major challenge for people dealing with the disease. Despite the fact that the American Medical Association recognized fibromyalgia as a true illness in 1987, too many doctors somehow "missed the memo."
In searching for medical definitions, I really put faith in Wikipedia as a simple, easy-to-locate source for anyone with even limited Internet access:
Fibromyalgia (FM or FMS) is a chronic syndrome (constellation of signs and symptoms) characterized by diffuse or specific muscle, joint, or bone pain, fatigue, and a wide range of other symptoms. It is not contagious, and recent studies suggest that people with fibromyalgia may be genetically predisposed. It affects more females than males, with a ratio of 9:1 by ACR (American College of Rheumatology) criteria. Fibromyalgia is seen in 3% to 6% of the general population, and is most commonly diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50. The nature of fibromyalgia is not well understood, with many frustrated physicians driven to accusing their patients of feigning illness. There are few, if any, treatments available. Although there is no cure, the disease itself is neither life-threatening nor progressive, though the degree of symptoms may vary greatly from day to day with periods of flares (severe worsening of symptoms) or remission.
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