Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a real, long-term condition involving widespread pain, fatigue, unrefreshing sleep and often difficulty concentrating. The symptoms are not caused by inflammation or damage throughout the muscles or joints. The nervous system probably processes and regulates pain signals differently. Diagnosis is based on a conversation and physical examination; targeted tests are sometimes needed to find another or coexisting illness.

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  • Fibromyalgia causes long-term pain in several areas, often with fatigue, unrefreshing sleep and problems with attention or memory. Symptoms and what you can manage may vary from day to day.
  • The pain is real. Routine blood tests and scans are often normal because fibromyalgia does not cause generalised muscle inflammation or damage muscles or joints in the usual way.
  • Diagnosis is clinical: the doctor listens to the pattern of symptoms, examines you and considers whether another or coexisting condition is likely. There is no reliable stand-alone blood test or scan for fibromyalgia.
  • Treatment is personalised. Information, a gentle increase in movement, careful use of energy, sleep treatment and support with stress or mood can reinforce each other.
  • New warning signs should not all be attributed to fibromyalgia. For urgent GP care outside office hours, contact the out-of-hours GP service (HAP) on 9252; call Ambulance 912 only for immediate danger to life.

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