FIBROMYALGIA was recognised as a bona fide medical condition by the World Health Organisation seven years ago, yet it is still something of a medical mystery.
The main symptoms are pain and tenderness in the muscles, tiredness and sleep disturbance. But because there are no outward signs, people with fibromyalgia often look well and feel awful.
Doctors disagree as to whether there is a physical or psychological cause for the condition, which can last for many months, even years. But most people agree that fibromyalgia is sparked off by some kind of trauma - such as a road accident, or an emotional shock.
Now, medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign has updated and revised its fibromyalgia booklet, which explains the condition in detail and offers help and advice to sufferers.
The booklet is available free from me.
JANICE SMITH, ARC, St Mary's Gate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 7TD.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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