Fibromyalgia (also known as chronic widespread pain syndrome) is a common condition which mainly affects young women. The features include, poor quality sleep, waking up feeling extremely fatigued and unrefreshed, with widespread pain affecting the joints and muscles. Often patients also report having headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, lack of concentration (‘brain fog’) and reduced short term memory. There is usually a history of anxiety, depression or stressful events
It is a diagnosis of exclusion, and can be difficult at times to diagnose.