Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by pain in your muscles and fibrous tissues (such as the tendons and ligaments), accompanied by fatigue, low mood, and sleep problems. A person with fibromyalgia can experience a wide range of symptoms, and symptoms may vary from person to person.

The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. For many years it was thought that it was psychologically based but research has found that injury, infection, surgery, or illness may trigger the condition. Sometimes symptoms accumulate over time without a single triggering event. There are also indications that hereditary factors are involved in the development of fibromyalgia as it can occur in several members of one family.

Common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

Widespread muscle pain

Widespread joint pain

Stiffness

Tender areas on various parts of the body (such as elbows, knees, head) that hurt when touched

Fatigue

Problems sleeping or staying asleep

Cognitive difficulties (such as an impaired ability to focus, memory problems, difficulty concentrating – often referred to as “fibro fog”).

Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic other disorders and there are no visible signs (like signs of inflammation or joint lumps) or definitive laboratory tests. It may also coexist with other conditions such as:

Migraine and other types of headache

Irritable bowel syndrome

Painful bladder syndrome

Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

Restless legs syndrome

Temporomandibular joint disorders (pain in the jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement).

A fibromyalgia diagnosis is often made when a patient has had 3 previous months of unexplained body-wide pain and at least 11 of 18 tender points in specific locations.

Fibromyalgia Treatment

There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but the condition can be managed using a variety of measures. A holistic approach should be taken as not all symptoms can or should be treated with medications. Learning about the condition and modifying your attitude and behavior towards the condition also helps.

Nonpharmacological treatments include:

Acupuncture

Dietary changes

Education

Homeopathy

Meditation

Mindfulness

Regular exercise

Stress management

Yoga.



Many different types of medications have also been used in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Treatments usually involve trial and error, as what works for one person may not work for another. Examples of medications that may benefit some symptoms of fibromyalgia include: