Hi. Sorry to hear about your daughter. I was actually diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1989. Simply put, fibro is chronic fatigue syndrome PLUS pain. The diagnosis is usually made when 11 or more of 18 points on the body are painful when touched. These points are usually called "target" points, because although they are painful, the pain usually comes from other places, known as trigger points. Personally, I have one large target point, behind my right shoulder blade which always hurts, but occassionally flares up from time to time. I usually describe the pain as what I imagine a lighted match would feel like if suddenly placed on my shoulder. The doctors have described it as acid buildup in the muscle. Hence, the fire pain.
As a family member I would like to caution you to look out for depression. Unfortunately, it is a very common part of the syndrome - with good reason. You're tired, you can't sleep (sometimes you have insomnia) and even when you do sleep, you wake up more tired than when you went to bed. You hurt - everywhere - and yet you LOOK fine. In fact to the untrained eye, you just look lazy! Encourage her to do what she can and to accept what she can't. With supplements and diet changes, she can improve her symptoms, but they won't ever really go away. It's like someone with arthritis - you have good days and bad days. Tell her to make the best of the good days, get to bed regularly (it really does help not to stay up too late) and try massage and relaxation methods. It does help.
My best to her ... I need to take my own advice now and go to bed!
