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If you are experiencing unusual chronic pain, you might be wondering if you have fibromyalgia. When first identified by healthcare researchers as a condition of its own, fibromyalgia seemed like a mysterious illness. Now, the signs of fibromyalgia are more easily identified and treated.
Symptoms
Fibromyalgia (fibro) is recognizable by ongoing, or chronic, musculoskeletal pain along with fatigue, brain fog, sleep and mood issues. Many patients also experience headaches, digestive problems and tenderness to touch.
Many researchers think that fibro develops after a traumatic event, like an injury, extreme emotional distress, or surgery. Women are more likely than men to have fibro, and if you have another health condition, the odds of having fibro increases even further.
Since these symptoms can also be associated with other conditions, the signs of fibromyalgia can be misunderstood and tricky to diagnose.
Differential Diagnosis
To determine if you have fibromyalgia, a rheumatologist will review your entire medical history and family medical history. Your rheumatologist will also perform an exam and evaluate your symptoms and pain. They may press on “tender points” as part of the diagnostic process, to see if there is any tenderness to touch that fibro patients commonly experience. The main factor in a diagnosis for fibro is unrelenting widespread pain for 3 or more months that can’t be attributed to another condition. They will probably order tests to rule out autoimmune issues and vitamin D deficiency, among any other concerns they may have. Since there is no single test for fibro, your doctor will piece together all your medical puzzle pieces to form your diagnosis.
Treating Fibromyalgia
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are treatments to help minimize symptoms:
Over the Counter
Most doctors avoid prescribing opiates because they can have significant side effects, and the patient can become dependent on them. So, over the counter pain meds are commonly used to manage pain.
Prescription for relief
Prescription anti-seizure medications like Gabapentin are sometimes used to manage fibro pain. Lyrica is the first FDA approved fibro treatment and is becoming more accepted as a common treatment. Prescription Anti-depressants like Cymbalta and Savella can help with pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. Some doctors also prescribe amitriptyline or the muscle relaxer cyclobenzaprine to help improve sleep.
Change for the better
Lifestyle changes are the biggest help with it comes to fibromyalgia. Prioritizing healthy sleep habits, eating well and staying active are excellent ways to combat your fibromyalgia symptoms. By focusing on your daily health habits, you can make smart decisions and get more control over your symptoms.
Connect
You are not alone in your diagnosis journey. You may find it helpful to join a local support group for chronic pain, either in person or virtually. Finding community can help you learn to better manage your fibro and share what has been working for you. PatientsLikeMe has a community of people who live with fibromyalgia who can help support you. Join us today for resources, tools, advice and guidance during and after your fibromyalgia diagnosis journey!