Fibromyalgia

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition where the main symptom is long lasting (chronic) pain that affects the whole body. 

No two people will have the same symptoms and some people may have worse pain than others.

Fibromyalgia does not cause inflammation or damage to the painful areas. It is now thought that it may be due to a hypersensitive pain system. Research shows that people with Fibromyalgia are extra-sensitive to warning signals and their bodies respond to them differently. 

Fibromyalgia is different to polymyalgia rheumatica, a type of arthritis in which symptoms are felt more in the muscles.

Fibromyalgia is not

• Due to psychological or emotional problems
• Due to being unfit and not getting enough exercise
• “All in the head” or imagined

In the past Fibromyalgia was often misunderstood. Some people even believed it was not a real condition.

The good news is that fibromyalgia can be effectively managed- and a team approach is the best way to help you manage it.

What are the symptoms?

Along with widespread pain and tenderness, people with Fibromyalgia also often:

• Feel very tired and have no energy pain – usually aching, stiffness and tiredness of muscles. Pain may be worse after rest (eg. first thing in the morning) or after activity
• Have trouble getting to or staying asleep extreme fatigue (tiredness), making it difficult to do your normal daily activities
• Have problems concentrating or remembering things. Some people call this “Fibro Fog”

Some people may also :

• Have irritable bowel symptoms (diarrhoea, stomach pain, bloating )
• Experience headaches
• Be hypersensitive to certain sounds, light or the temperature
• Sometime feel frustrated, worried and ‘down’

What causes it?

It is not known what causes fibromyalgia. It may be more common in people who have:

• Inflammatory arthritis (for example, rheumatoid arthritis)
• An illness, such as a virus (or following an illness or infection)
• Experienced emotional stress and depression

How is it diagnosed?

Fibromyalgia can be difficult to diagnose. The body’s tissues appear normal when examined by a doctor. There are no blood tests, x-rays or scans that can test for fibromyalgia. Your doctor or rheumatologist (arthritis specialist) will look for a number of features that are typical of fibromyalgia to diagnose the condition. Questionnaires on the internet or in magazines that you can fill out at home only screen for fibromyalgia. You will still need to have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia confirmed by an experienced doctor.

What will happen to me?

The good news is that the muscles and joints of people with fibromyalgia are not being damaged. It is important to remember that, with help and better understanding, the symptoms can be effectively managed. The symptoms of fibromyalgia may range from very mild to severe. They may last for many years or they may come and go at different times. With the right advice most people find they learn to manage the pain and tiredness over time. Health professional input may be required at times if the pain is more severe and affecting your normal activities. Remember that it is helpful to think of Fibromyalgia as an alarm system that has become oversensitive and is sounding an alarm when your body is not damaged.

Can fibromyalgia be cured?

There is no cure for fibromyalgia however there are treatments can help ‘turn down’ that alarm system so that pain and other symptoms intrude less on your everyday life. While there are ways you can control your symptoms, you should be wary of any products or treatments that claim to cure fibromyalgia.

What can I do?

1. Learn about fibromyalgia and play an active role in your treatment. Not all information you read or hear about is trustworthy so always talk to your doctor or healthcare team about treatments you are thinking about trying. Reliable sources of further information are also listed in the section below. Self management courses aim to help you develop skills to be actively involved in your healthcare. Contact your local Arthritis Office for details of these courses.
2. Find ways to manage pain. It can be useful to change the way you think about, and react to, pain. A psychologist can teach you skills to help you manage your pain. Acupuncture, particularly with electrical stimulation, may also help reduce pain and improve overall wellbeing, sleep and fatigue.
3. Stay active. Exercise has been proven by research to help with pain and other symptoms. Always start gently and slowly, and build up as you become fitter and stronger.
4. Balance activity and rest. Learn to listen to your body and be guided by it. Try to space out your week’s activities to give yourself time to rest. If you are having a bad day, be ready to change your plans and not force yourself to work through pain. See an occupational therapist to learn ways to cope with fatigue and make daily tasks easier.
5. Keep to a healthy weight. There is no proof that a special diet can help fibromyalgia. Losing any extra weight and having a  healthy diet will help you feel in control of your body.
6. Talk to your doctor about medicines. Typical arthritis medicines, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, are not usually helpful in fibromyalgia. However some people with fibromyalgia may find that their pain or other symptoms can be controlled with medicines that are sometimes used to treat epilepsy or depression. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking any medicines as even natural and over-the-counter medicines can have side effects.
7. Acknowledge your feelings and seek support. As there is no cure for fibromyalgia and it can affect many parts of your life, it is natural to feel scared, frustrated, sad and sometimes angry. Be aware of these feelings and get help if they start affecting your daily life.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL ARTHRITIS OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

Websites:
Australian Physiotherapy Association, Occupational Therapy Australia, Australian Psychological Society, Arthritis Research UK , American College of Rheumatology, Arthritis Foundation (US)