Fibromyalgia

"Fibromyalgia | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Brain, nerves and spinal cord Chronic pain Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. Symptoms of fibromyalgia The main symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain that might feel like: an ache a burning sensation a sharp stabbing pain a mixture of these 3 feelings The pain is likely to be continuous, but it might be better or more severe at different times. As well as widespread pain, people with fibromyalgia might also have: increased sensitivity to sensations like touch, light, temperature, noise fatigue (extreme tiredness) muscle stiffness difficulty sleeping problems with mental processes (known as fibro-fog)  like problems with memory and concentration headaches irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)  a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating dizziness and clumsiness feeling too hot or too cold restless legs syndrome tingling, numbness, prickling or burning sensations in your hands and feet (pins and needles, also known as paraesthesia) unusually painful periods (if you get periods) anxiety depression Speak to your GP or healthcare professional if: you think you might have fibromyalgia Causes of fibromyalgia Its not clear why some people develop fibromyalgia. The exact cause is unknown, but its likely that many factors are involved. Altered pain messages Your brain, nerves and spinal cord make up your central nervous system. Changes in the way your central nervous system sends and receives information to your body might cause fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a type of chronic pain. Read more about chronic pain Genetics Some people are more likely than others to develop fibromyalgia because of the genes inherited (passed on) from their parents. Triggers Fibromyalgia is often triggered by a stressful event. This might be a physically stressful event or an emotionally (psychologically) stressful event. Possible triggers of fibromyalgia might be: an injury a viral infection giving birth an operation the breakdown of a relationship being in an abusive relationship the death of a loved one Sometimes there isnt an obvious trigger. Diagnosing fibromyalgia Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be difficult. Theres no specific test to diagnose the condition. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary. The symptoms can be similar to those of several other conditions. Your GP will have to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. Youll be asked about how your symptoms are affecting your daily life. Youll be examined to check for signs of other conditions. Theyll check for swollen joints which might suggest arthritis, rather than fibromyalgia. Tests to check for some of these conditions include urine and blood tests . You may also have X-rays and other scans. If youre found to have another condition, you could still have fibromyalgia as well. Criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia For fibromyalgia to be diagnosed, certain criteria usually have to be met. The most widely used criteria for diagnosis are: you have pain in multiple areas of your body your symptoms have stayed at a similar level for at least 3months your symptoms cant be explained by any other reason you feel unrefreshed after sleep you have problems thinking or remembering (cognitive difficulties) you experience fatigue Diagnosing other conditions Its also possible to have other conditions alongside fibromyalgia, like: depression anxiety irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) osteoarthritis hypermobility spectrum disorder Identifying all possible conditions will help to guide your treatment. Treating fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a long term (chronic) condition. Theres no cure for fibromyalgia. But there are treatments to help relieve some of the symptoms. This can make the condition easier to live with. Traditional treatments like pain medication arent always helpful for people with fibromyalgia. Learning about your condition and finding the best self management approaches for you is the best way to manage it. A healthcare professional can help you explore your options. Exercise, movement and activity Exercise, movement and activity can be helpful way to manage pain. A physiotherapist can help you to develop self-management skills to reduce the impact of pain on your life. They might help you create a tailored exercise programme suited to your needs, abilities and goals. Physiotherapy can also help prevent further loss of strength and increase your fitness. Pain management movement videos Visit the living with chronic pain page for more information about exercise and relaxation techniques. Occupational therapy can help you manage your everyday activities around fibromyalgia. The aim is to do this without increasing your pain or overwhelming yourself. Your occupational therapist may suggest new ways to do things. They may be able to support you to continue to work, if you want to. Access to Work has information on how to get or stay in work if you have a health condition or disability. Group support Some pain clinics offer pain management programmes run by a team of specialists. These specialists can include physiotherapists and psychologists. They can provide support to develop coping skills and manage your activity levels. Speak to your GP if you think youd benefit from a pain management programme. Talking therapies Talking therapies can help you manage the stress of living with fibromyalgia. Examples of talking therapies are: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)  a treatment approach to help you understand the link between how we think and what we do acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)  often used for pain management Medication Medication cant treat fibromyalgia but it can help reduce some symptoms. Speak to your GP or pain specialist to find out the potential benefits and risks. Your GP will likely suggest you try exercise, CBT and physiotherapy first. This is because these treatments are more likely to help. Antidepressants can help some people with fibromyalgia. They help: relieve pain treat sleep problems This can be useful even if you havent been diagnosed with depression. Other medications can be used for the treatment of fibromyalgia symptoms, but theyre likely to be less effective. Speak to your GP, pharmacist or healthcare professional if youre taking medication and you dont feel its helping. Alternative therapies Some people with fibromyalgia try complementary or alternative treatments, like acupuncture or massage. Theres little scientific evidence that these treatments help in the long term. Some people find that certain treatments help them to relax and feel less stressed. This allows them to cope with their condition better. If you decide to use complementary or herbal remedies, check with your GP or healthcare professional first. Some remedies can react unpredictably with other medication, or make it less effective. Read more about herbal medicines Source:\r\n                                        NHS Scotland - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 20 October 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform What is chronic pain? 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