7 Key Facts About Living with Fibromyalgia

That’s a lot of syllables to spell PAIN. Did you know that more than 160 million people across the globe suffer from Fibromyalgia? Neither did I! But when it comes to the list of problematic diseases that are not cancer, Fibromyalgia should be somewhere close to the top.

There are several triggers for this pain. Activity is one, with the others being damp or cold weather, stress and anxiety. Pain is the defining factor of fibromyalgia. A disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body, fibromyalgia also causes fatigue and problems with sleeping.

Since science, too, has no specific answer to the question of fibromyalgia, people who suffer from this disorder exhibit an increased sensitivity to pain, and they can’t do anything concrete about it.

When it comes to treatment, you have to do a combination of exercises for fibromyalgia or other movement therapies, as well as psychological and behavioural therapy as well as medications.

What Is Fibromyalgia? Understanding the Condition

An ailment that is characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, together with fatigue, memory loss, sleep and mood problems, according to researchers, fibromyalgia compounds painful sensations by impacting the way your brain and spinal cord process painful and non-painful signals.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia often start after an event like physical trauma, surgery, infection or a lot of psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms slowly accumulate over time without any single triggering event.

Fibromyalgia Symptoms That You Should Know

There’s pain in the form of a constant dull ache that feels like burning, soreness, aching, stiffness or gnawing. This can be mild or severe or better or worse at different times. Then there’s the constant, extreme tiredness that refuses to go away even after you’ve slept for a long period of time.

Then there’s the insomnia, brought about by pain. Then, there are issues with memory, concentration, and clear thinking. In fact, it is called “fibro fog”. You also have stomach issues like stomach pain, constipation, bloating, acid reflux, and diarrhoea.

Finally, there are headaches, numbness in the arms and legs, sensitivity to light, noise and temperature, as well as anxiety and depression.

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis Process

Usually, a doctor or a medical practitioner diagnoses fibromyalgia by taking into account your medical history, performing a physical exam and considering other symptoms. The doctor will ask you about the location, severity and duration of pain as well as other symptoms like fatigue, cognitive problems or insomnia.

The doctor will examine your joints to rule out arthritis. They will consider other symptoms like memory or sleep problems. The doctor will look for pain and order lab tests to rule out other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or more.

Causes of Fibromyalgia and Triggers

What causes fibromyalgia could be anyone’s guess. However, it is thought to be related to a chemical imbalance in the brain and changes in how the central nervous system processes pain signals. Some triggers include physical or emotional stress, an injury, infection, major surgery or emotional trauma.

Then there are changes in your daily routine, diet, sleep or hormone levels. You also have weather changes and other factors like overexertion, illness, travelling and treatment changes. Also, some people believe that fibromyalgia might be genetic.

Fibromyalgia and Mental Health

How would your mental health be if you had constant pain? People who have fibromyalgia are more likely to be diagnosed with depression. Depression can negatively affect the outcome of patients suffering from fibromyalgia.

Another mental health issue associated with fibromyalgia is anxiety. Other mental health issues linked to this ailment are Borderline Personality Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Fibromyalgia Treatment Options - Managing Symptoms Effectively

Fibromyalgia medication includes antidepressants and anti-seizure drugs. You might also be given over-the-counter pain relievers. In addition to these, you might be asked to undergo Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)- which can help you manage issues by changing your behavioural and thought patterns.

Then there’s also Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) that can help you accept what’s out of your control so you can make changes to improve your life. You might be asked to perform certain physical exercises and movement therapies like yoga and tai chi. You might also be given supplements like magnesium and Vitamin D.

How to Manage Fibromyalgia Pain

Living with fibromyalgia can be unbearable. However, there are certain things you can do to make life bearable. Exercise can help reduce pain. Try walking, swimming or biking. Get enough sleep to help with the fatigue.

Stay away from caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, as well as heavy meals. Ensure your bedroom is quiet and dark. Don’t stress too much. Join a support group if you can. Eat well and ensure a balanced diet.

In conclusion, no one should have to live with constant unbearable pain. With fibromyalgia, you have no other option but to bear the pain. Some pain-relieving medications, such as CBT and ACT, might make things easier.

However, if you still don’t get relief, ask your medical practitioner for help. Your doctor might prescribe something in addition to your daily medication to help you feel better.

We get it. It doesn’t look very bright. But all’s not lost, and the pain is not going to take your life away from you. The US Food and Drug Administration has greenlit the development of multiple medicines, including Milnacipran and Duloxetine, which, when available, will reduce the suffering a lot. For now, all we can say is don’t give in; help is on the way.

What is the difference between fibromyalgia and arthritis?

Both cause chronic pain conditions and discomfort, however fibromyalgia causes musculoskeletal pain together with fatigue, sleep and cognitive issues. Arthritis is a group of conditions that affects the joints, resulting in inflammation, pain and stiffness.

How long does pain from fibromyalgia last?

The pain that comes from fibromyalgia is chronic and can last for years. However some painkillers that the doctor prescribes can make life bearable to some extent for you.

What are the main symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Chronic pain, fatigue, insomnia, memory and concentration issues, headaches, increased sensitivity to light, pain, sound or touch and digestive issues are the main symptoms of fibromyalgia.

How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?

There’s no specific test for this ailment. Doctors might carry out a physical exam and review your medical history to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms. They might ask you about the widespread pain and symptoms like fatigue and cognitive issues.

What causes this ailment?

While science cannot tell us the exact cause, several factors might contribute to it like genetic factors, infections, physical or emotional trauma, and abnormal pain processing as in people with fibromyalgia have an abnormal response to pain signals in the brain.