Fibromyalgia: Causes, Signs and Treatment

Fibromyalgia and Pain

What is fibromyalgia? Are you a person who has chronic pain that comes and goes? Does it awaken you at night? You may be experiencing fibromyalgia, but do not necessarily understand what it is or how to cope with it. You may be concerned that there is something seriously wrong with you or try to relegate it to your mind and tell yourself that it is not real pain.Understanding the nature of fibromyalgia may help to alleviate some of your concerns. 

The Mayoclinic.com website suggests that 

“Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues.”

While there are varying degrees of discomfort associated with fibromyalgia, widespread musculoskeletal pain, presents as a continual ache arising from the muscles above and below the waist, as well as on both sides of the body.

Sleeping poorly is one of the symptoms as the patient who has fibromyalgia is tired when he or she awakens, because of interruptions to his or her sleep cycle related to ongoing pain. Restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea may cause the fibromyalgia symptoms to become worse, at times. Other symptoms may include fatigue, anxiety, depression, endometriosis, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome.

Because fibromyalgia symptoms come and go at different times, in 1990, the American College of Rheumatology set out two criteria identifying the disease process, namely that of widespread pain that continues for a minimum of three months, with eleven out of eighteen tender points manifesting pain.    

Three causes of fibromyalgia have been established, namely that of a patient’s inherited genetic structure, infection and trauma that is either physical or emotional in nature. The central sensitization theory suggests that increased sensitivity in the brain results in an over-reaction to pain signals, with the memory of pain possibly enhanced and retained.   

Three current methods of treatment include the administration of analgesics, antidepressants and anti-seizure medication.

Counseling for chronic pain often helps patients with fibromyalgia. It focuses on having the patient develop a healthy lifestyle. He or she should obtain additional rest and take effective measures to reduce high stress levels and have moderate, but regular exercise, on a daily basis. Acupressure, yoga and tai chi may prove helpful for some patients. Massage therapy may be beneficial, as well.

Part of the difficulty with chronic pain related to fibromyalgia has to do with the reality that it is frustrating for a patient. Others including family members, may not necessarily understand a patient’s level of pain and support groups like pain clinics, often prove helpful.     

Those who are caring for patients with fibromyalgia may be able to bring comfort by taking measures to keep a patient warm or initiating warm baths.   

Remember that pain sensitivity is an individual thing and that pain thresholds vary from one individual to another. No one can relate to the pain that another suffers at one time or another and thus, compassion is always important. The patient needs to realize that his or her pain is real and that it is not necessarily leading to a more severe medical condition.