believe many factors are involved . Some think the condition , which is not progressive or life-threatening , may be triggered by an emotional or traumatic event . Lieberman believed it is related to a disordered sleep pattern and poor exercise . `` It appears to be more of a neuro-chemical process , '' he said . `` In other words , there really is no inflammation in patients with fibromyalgia . '' Health Minute : More on identifying fibromyalgia '' Getting a proper diagnosis can sometimes be just as frustrating as finding out what 's behind the disease . `` Fibromyalgia is to some extent a diagnosis of exclusion , '' Lieberman said . `` There are lot of things it can be confused with such as thyroid disorders , metabolic disorders and certain rheumatologic inflammatory conditions . '' For almost five years , Poole jumped from doctor to doctor trying to figure out what was causing her symptoms . `` They were constantly saying I 'm a tall , thin female . ` You 're getting older -- your body is going to change , ' and it was frustrating . '' Lieberman understood Poole 's frustration .
ATLANTA , Georgia -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- You would n't know it by looking at her , but at any given moment Dana Poole hurts all over . Dana Poole , left , feels aches all over at any given moment from a condition called fibromyalgia . `` It 's kind of like a burning , but an ache . It 's almost like you have the flu , '' said Poole , 31 , a receptionist from Canton , Georgia . Poole is one of almost 6 million Americans who suffer from a chronic condition called fibromyalgia . In addition to widespread pain , patients may complain about fatigue and sleep disturbances , depression , headaches , irritable bowel syndrome and heightened sensitivity . `` Dana is typical of a lot of fibromyalgia patients , '' said Dr. Jefrey Lieberman , an Atlanta , Georgia-based rheumatologist . `` She came into my office complaining of a lot of diffuse pain all over her body and fatigue . She really did n't know why she was getting it . '' That 's part of the frustration of having fibromyalgia . Experts are n't sure what causes it , but many