Patient education: Fibromyalgia (The Basics)

What is fibromyalgia? — 

This is a condition that causes people to feel pain in the muscles and soft tissues all over their body. People with fibromyalgia also have many places on their body that hurt a lot when they are touched. This is likely due to the brain being more sensitive to pain. No one knows what causes this increased sensitivity. Fibromyalgia is not thought to be caused by inflammation.

Can fibromyalgia be cured? — 

In some people, fibromyalgia seems to get better. But in most people, it cannot be cured. Even so, people can learn to deal with the condition and live fairly normal lives. Fibromyalgia does not get worse over time, and it is not life-threatening.

Does fibromyalgia cause symptoms besides muscle pain? — 

Yes. People with fibromyalgia often say that they feel tired all of the time and that sleep does not help them feel rested. They can also have:

●Trouble thinking clearly

●Flu-like symptoms

●Headaches

●Depression and anxiety

●Stomach pain

●Too many or too few bowel movements (diarrhea or constipation)

●Pain in the bladder, or the need to urinate in a hurry or often

●Problems with the jaw

Is there a test for fibromyalgia? — 

No. To diagnose it, doctors and nurses review your symptoms. First, they look for other causes of the symptoms, such as arthritis or a hormone problem.

Doctors might diagnose fibromyalgia if you have pain in many parts of your body and they cannot find another cause. This is more likely if you also have other symptoms that can happen in fibromyalgia, such as trouble sleeping, feeling very tired, and trouble thinking clearly.

How is fibromyalgia treated? — 

There are medicines and other things to help with the symptoms of fibromyalgia. But there is no single treatment that works for everyone. You and your health care team will work together to find the right mix of treatments for you. In general, treatment can include:

●Medicines to relieve pain, improve sleep, or improve mood

●Physical therapy to learn exercises and stretches

●Relaxation therapy

●Working with a counselor

To get the best treatment, many people need a team that includes:

●A doctor or other health care provider

●A physical therapist

●Someone trained in mental health (such as a social worker or counselor)

Should I take medicines? — 

Your doctor or nurse might suggest that you take a medicine normally used to treat depression or seizures. If so, be open to trying it. Even if you are not depressed and do not have seizures, these medicines can help. That is because they work on the brain areas that deal with pain.

What can I do on my own? — 

You can:

●Stay active – This is a really important part of managing fibromyalgia. Walking, swimming, or biking can all help ease muscle pain. If you have not been active, it might hurt a little more when you start. But being active can help improve your symptoms.

●Try to change your mental outlook – This can be hard, since being in pain can affect your mood. But your outlook also has a big effect on how you feel pain. Do your best to stay positive. If you have depression, talk to your doctor or nurse about how best to treat it.

●Improve your "sleep hygiene" – This means following certain habits to improve your sleep. For example, avoid caffeine and alcohol, especially near bedtime. It also helps to avoid looking at screens before bed.

More on this topic

Patient education: Fibromyalgia (Beyond the Basics)