What Is Fibromyalgia? (extract from www.fmauk.org - read their free booklet)
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition of widespread pain and profound fatigue. The pain tends to be felt as diffuse aching or burning, often described as head to toe. It may be worse at some times than at others. It may also change location, usually becoming more severe in parts of the body that are used most.
The fatigue ranges from feeling tired, to the exhaustion of a flu-like illness. It may come and go and people can suddenly feel drained of all energy - as if someone just "pulled the plug".
The name fibromyalgia is made up from "fibro" for fibrous tissues such as tendons and ligaments; "my" indicating muscles; and "algia" meaning pain.