FMS is a chronic, body-wide pain disorder coupled with other symptoms, such as severe daytime fatigue, unrefreshed sleep (likely due to a number of sleep anomalies), irritable bowel, chronic headaches, morning stiffness, cognitive or memory impairments, reduced coordination and decreased physical endurance.

One of the easiest ways to participate in National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is to wear the color purple (clothing or a ribbon) on May 12th! It is one of the colors that stands for fibromyalgia and also for chronic pain.