Medically Written and Verified
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that can cause pain all over the body, in addition to fatigue, trouble sleeping, and emotional distress. People with fibromyalgia tend to be more sensitive to pain than those without it. Several symptoms can be experienced by people who suffer from fibromyalgia, including headaches, feeling “foggy,” depression, anxiety, digestive problems, overactive bladder, and jaw pain. Over 4 million Americans are estimated to suffer from fibromyalgia- that is over 2% of the US adult population!
There must be an easy way to test for it…right?
Unfortunately, this is not the case. A diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made “clinically”, meaning doctors see if a patient’s exam and symptoms match the exam and symptoms they would expect from a patient with fibromyalgia and also make sure no other diagnosis is possible. One blood test called the FM/a blood test, has recently been developed, and researchers are hopeful it will help determine if someone has fibromyalgia. It is still unclear if this test is an accurate way to tell if someone has fibromyalgia.
Only some insurance companies will pay for the test, as it has not yet been accepted as a routine test for this disorder. Until more research is done, most doctors still use a patient’s symptoms to determine if fibromyalgia is the right diagnosis.
Frequently, those suspected to have fibromyalgia will be asked to fill out a questionnaire that will help their physician determine if their symptoms fit with that diagnosis. Location, frequency, and severity of symptoms are scored and can help determine if fibromyalgia is the right diagnosis. Other blood tests may also be ordered to rule out other causes of the symptoms.
You have been told you have fibromyalgia
What can you do to manage it? The one consistently recommended treatment for fibromyalgia is exercise. This can seem daunting when body pain is one of the main symptoms, but it can truly help. A daily walk or swim- even a short one- can make a difference. Yoga, gentle stretching, and tai chi can also ease you into increased movement. As your body gets more used to this, advancing to longer walks or more vigorous exercise will be easier.
Daily short bursts of exercise are more important than less frequent longer bouts. A physical therapist or trainer can also be valuable in determining which exercises are best for your particular symptoms and goals.
How about pain medications?
Fibromyalgia hurts shouldn’t pain medication be part of the treatment? Actually, traditional “pain meds” are not recommended for use in treating fibromyalgia. This is because fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, and addictive pain medications like opioids should only be used for short-term conditions. Opioids are addictive and constipating and should be avoided.
I’m already exercising, and it hasn’t helped yet
Isn’t there anything else I can do? There are other interventions that have been found to help some people who have fibromyalgia. Determining what works best for you may be a matter of trial and error, but there are lots of options!
- Medications: There are several medications that have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of fibromyalgia. These include duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran (Savella), which adjusts brain chemicals to ease widespread pain, and pregabalin (Lyrica), which blocks overactive nerve cells involved in pain. Sometimes your doctor may also prescribe antidepressants such as fluoxetine or amitriptyline, as these can also help with symptoms, especially since depression can also occur with fibromyalgia.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This type of psychotherapy can be prescribed to help you improve your mental well-being and manage pain. Many people find that CBT can be very helpful in treating fibromyalgia as it can teach stress management techniques and coping strategies to handle some of the difficulties that come with having a chronic disorder. Whether the stress is causing fibromyalgia or is happening as a result of having fibromyalgia doesn’t matter- CBT can help you to manage it.
Are there lifestyle changes I can make to manage my fibromyalgia?
- Better sleep routine: One of the more common complaints of those with fibromyalgia is difficulty with sleep. Doing everything you can to improve your sleep routine is critical. Avoiding caffeine after 1pm, going to bed at the same time every night and waking at the same time every morning, and creating a dark, peaceful sleep environment free from electronics are all helpful interventions.
- Do you check your phone or emails before bed? The light from screens- not to mention the stress from a work email- can interfere with a good night’s sleep. Try to keep screens out of your bedroom, and give yourself a screen-free hour before bed to wind down. Read a book, take a bath, or meditate- give your body a chance to relax before you even get into bed.
- Diet: Can a better diet help fibromyalgia? Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is good for your health and can increase energy. Avoiding processed foods like chips, candy, white bread, and similar low-nutrient foods will help with your sense of overall well being. While this may not directly “treat” fibromyalgia, it will help you to feel better overall which could contribute to an improvement in your symptoms. So why not try it?
So what do I do next?
If you think you might have fibromyalgia, talk to your doctor about your symptoms. They will help to rule out any other causes and guide you in what to do next. If you ultimately are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, don’t despair- there are things you can do to help yourself! Start with gentle exercise, increasing it as you are able. Consider contacting a physical therapist or trainer if you don’t know where to start.
Try to eat healthy foods, stay hydrated, and do everything you can to optimize your sleep. A cognitive behavioral therapist can also be helpful. Stay in touch with your doctor so you can be reassessed to see if medication might also be helpful.
Reaching out to other patients who have experience with this disorder on PatientsLikeMe can help you to feel less alone, and connect you to a community of people who understand what you have been going through.