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Fibromyalgia; The invisible pain Every day, millions of men and women in Canada, the United States and the world, wake up feeling sore, aching, and unrested. For most, these are the after affects of going to bed with a bad cold, or a worried mind. But for many, these symptoms are an every day occurrence, for these are the sufferers of Fibromyalgia. Most people have never heard of Fibromyalgia and for those who have, it is very easy to fall into disbelief and scoff at the claims of chronic pain of a sufferer. To help dismiss the myths about fibromyalgia, this essay will focus on what is Fibromyalgia, the diagnosis process, and finally the reasons fibromyalgia is so misunderstood by families and friends. A) INTRODUCTION TO FIBROMYALGIA 1-What is it? Fibromyalgia Syndrome (pronounced fy-bro-my-al-ja) or FMS, is a condition characterized by widespread, migrating, and often debilitating pain and fatigue. It strikes mostly women between the ages of 20 and 50, though men and children are also diagnosed. The Arthritis Society estimates that as many as 900,000 (3 in 100) Canadians suffer with the disorder, yet remain