Fibromyalgia is a condition in which a person has long-term pain that is spread throughout the body. The pain is most often linked to fatigue, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, headaches, depression, and anxiety.
People with fibromyalgia may also have tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.
Fibromyositis; FM; Fibrositis
The cause is not known. Researchers think that fibromyalgia is due to a problem with how the central nervous system processes pain. Possible causes or triggers of fibromyalgia include:
Fibromyalgia is more common in females as compared to males. Women ages 20 to 50 are most affected.
The following conditions may be seen with fibromyalgia or have similar symptoms:
Widespread pain is the main symptom of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia appears to belong in a range of chronic widespread pain, which may be present in 10% to 15% of the general population. Fibromyalgia falls on the far end of that pain severity and chronicity scale and occurs in 1% to 5% of the general population.
The central feature of fibromyalgia is chronic pain in multiple sites. These sites are the head, each arm, the chest, the abdomen, each leg, the upper back and spine, and the lower back and spine (including the buttocks).
The pain may be mild to severe.
People with fibromyalgia tend to wake up with body pain and stiffness. For some people, pain improves during the day and gets worse at night. Some people have pain all day long.
Pain may get worse with:
Most people with fibromyalgia have fatigue, depressed mood, and sleep problems. Many people say that they cannot get to sleep or stay asleep, and they feel tired when they wake up.
Other symptoms of fibromyalgia may include:
The goals of treatment are to help relieve pain and other symptoms, and to help the person cope with the symptoms.
The first type of treatment may involve:
If these treatments do not work, your provider may also prescribe an antidepressant or muscle relaxant. Sometimes, combinations of medicines are helpful.
Other medicines are also used to treat the condition, such as:
If you have sleep apnea, a device called continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be prescribed.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is an important part of treatment. This therapy helps you learn how to:
Complementary and alternative treatments may also be helpful. These may include:
Support groups may also help.
Things you can do to help take care of yourself include:
There is no evidence that opioids are effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia, and studies have suggested possible adverse effects.
Referral to a clinic with interest and expertise in fibromyalgia is encouraged.
Daniel Clauw is a Rheumatologist in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Dr. Clauw is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Fibromyalgia. He is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Hysterectomy. He is licensed to treat patients in Michigan.
Roland Staud is a Rheumatologist in Gainesville, Florida. Dr. Staud has been practicing medicine for over 50 years and is rated as an Elite doctor by MediFind in the treatment of Fibromyalgia. He is also highly rated in 2 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Rhizomelic Pseudopolyarthritis, and Polymyalgia Rheumatica. He is licensed to treat patients in Florida. Dr. Staud is currently accepting new patients.
Jacob Ablin is in Tel Aviv, Israel. Ablin is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Fibromyalgia. He is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Acute Pain, and Cramp-Fasciculation Syndrome.
Fibromyalgia is a long-term disorder. Sometimes, the symptoms improve. Other times, the pain may get worse and continue for months or years.
Call your provider if you have symptoms of fibromyalgia.
There is no known prevention.
Published Date : January 21, 2020
Published By : Gordon A. Starkebaum, MD, MACR, ABIM Board Certified in Rheumatology, Seattle, WA. Internal review and update on 06/03/2021 by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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