Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Migrainesare common in people withfibromyalgiaandchronic fatigue syndrome. In fact, a headache of a new type, pattern, or severity is one of the diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS).
Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS are medically unexplained syndromes—known as functional somatic syndromes—that can often co-occur.While chronic pain and fatigue are common with both, pain is the predominant feature of fibromyalgia and fatigue is the predominant feature of ME/CFS. Migraines are just one of the symptoms that connect the two conditions.
This article explores the link between migraines and fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. It also explains how you can treat and prevent migraines with medications and lifestyle.
Differences Between Migraines and Headaches
Symptoms of Migraines With Fibromylagia and ME/CFS
Migraines that occur with fibromyalgia or ME/CFS are largely the same as those that occur without. The main difference is that migraines tend to occur more frequently or more severely when fibromyalgia or ME/CFS are involved.
A 2018 study in theJournal of Headache and Painconcluded that people with fibromyalgia have more intense and severe migraine headaches than those without. They are also more likely to experience depression as a result of their migraine.
A similar study inBMC Neurologyreported that people with ME/CFS were nearly 17 times more likely to experience migraines compared to people without ME/CFS. Moreover, the symptoms tend to be worse, often with a visual disturbance called anaura. Additional symptoms include poor memory, dizziness, numbness, and heart palpitations.
Based on the current body of research, symptoms of migraine in people with fibromyalgiaand ME/CFSfrequently include:
What Are the Different Types of Migraine?
Causes of Migraines With Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS
Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS belong to a group of illnesses referred to ascentral sensitivity syndromes (CSS). These are illnesses with physical symptoms that cannot be totally explained or diagnosed as an established medical condition.
In addition to fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, other disorders that fall under the umbrella of CSS includeirritable bowel syndrome (IBS),chronic headache,temporomandibular disorders (TMD), andchronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).
Pain is a central feature of all CSS disorders. Fatigue, headaches, sleep problems, dizziness, depression, anxiety, and problems with attention, memory, or concentration are also common.
For reasons unknown, CSS causes yourcentral nervous systemto become abnormally sensitive to stimuli that wouldn’t normally cause pain. The amplified pain response, referred to asallodynia, is thought to involve both psychological and physiological causes.
There are several hypotheses as to the root cause of allodynia in people with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS:
Some studies suggest that over eight of every 10 people with ME/CFS experience migraines,while more than five of every 10 people with fibromyalgia also have migraines.
How Migraines Are Treated With Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS
The treatment of fibromyalgia and ME/CFS is largely focused on the management of symptoms. This includes keeping on top of your headache pain.
To this end, there is a wide range of options you can turn to if you suffer from chronic migraines.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Some of the more common over-the-counter (OTC) drugs used to treat moderate migraines include:
List of Recommended Migraine Medications
Prescriptions
Prescription medications may be recommended when OTC painkillers fail to provide relief or when migraine attacks are frequent and severe. Some of these drugs can be used to treat multiple symptoms of fibromyalgia or ME/CFS, not just headache pain.
Medications used to treat migraine episodes include:
The drugs used to prevent or reduce the frequency of migraines attacks include:
Types of Medications That Prevent Migraines
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes can also play a significant role in the management of migraine symptoms if you have fibromyalgia or ME/CFS. These include:
Migraine Treatments: Everything You Need to Know
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Migraines?
There are no specific tests todiagnose migraines. To ensure an accurate diagnosis, your healthcare provider will review your pattern of recurring headaches along with associated symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and auras.
Similarly, there are no diagnostic tests for fibromyalgia or ME/CFS. The diagnosis relies heavily on a physical exam, a review of your medical history, and a sometimes-exhaustive list of tests and procedures to rule out other possible causes.
The following only covers some of the key criteria used to diagnose fibromyalgiaand ME/CFC:
Diagnostic Criteria for FibromyalgiaSevere pain in three to six different areas of your body, or milder pain in seven or more different areasSymptoms persist at a similar level for at least three monthsNo other causes of your pain can be foundDiagnostic Criteria for ME/CFSSix months or more of profound, unexplained fatigueA general feeling of unwellness (malaise) that persists more than 24 hours after mental or physical exertionUnrefreshing sleep or the inability to fall or stay asleepPersistent loss of mental concentration (“brain fog”)No other causes of your fatigue can be found
Diagnostic Criteria for FibromyalgiaSevere pain in three to six different areas of your body, or milder pain in seven or more different areasSymptoms persist at a similar level for at least three monthsNo other causes of your pain can be found
Severe pain in three to six different areas of your body, or milder pain in seven or more different areas
Symptoms persist at a similar level for at least three months
No other causes of your pain can be found
Diagnostic Criteria for ME/CFSSix months or more of profound, unexplained fatigueA general feeling of unwellness (malaise) that persists more than 24 hours after mental or physical exertionUnrefreshing sleep or the inability to fall or stay asleepPersistent loss of mental concentration (“brain fog”)No other causes of your fatigue can be found
Six months or more of profound, unexplained fatigue
A general feeling of unwellness (malaise) that persists more than 24 hours after mental or physical exertion
Unrefreshing sleep or the inability to fall or stay asleep
Persistent loss of mental concentration (“brain fog”)
No other causes of your fatigue can be found
You should seek immediate medical attention for a migraine if:
Summary
Migraines are common in people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Not only do they occur more frequently, but they tend to be more severe.
The cause of migraines in people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown. With that said, both conditions are associated with pain hypersensitivity may increase the intensity and perhaps frequency of migraine attacks.
Migraines are treated no differently in people with fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome than anyone else. Even so, an effective treatment plan for fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome will often reduce pain episodes that may contribute to migraine pain.
A Word From Verywell
Patience is required when undergoing the diagnosis of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Finding an effective treatment can also take time and often requires a process of trial and error.
If you are not getting the results you want, do not hesitate to seek asecond opinion. Ask your primary care provider for a referral to a certifiedneurologist(who specializes in disorders of the nervous system) or arheumatologist(who specializes in the treatment ofrheumatic diseases) in your area who can help.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAccording to researchers at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., 84% of people with chronic fatigue syndrome experience migraines. The majority of these will experience visual disturbances, known as auras, prior to the onset of migraine pain.Studies suggest that people with fibromyalgia experience migraines far more intensely and are more likely to experience depression as a result. It is thought that nerve hypersensitivity characteristic of fibromyalgia heightens the perception of pain both physically and psychologically.Learn MoreThe Link Between Depression and Chronic PainSome studies suggest that a class of antidepressants calledserotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)can not only help prevent migraines but treat other pain symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Options include SNRIs like Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine).
According to researchers at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., 84% of people with chronic fatigue syndrome experience migraines. The majority of these will experience visual disturbances, known as auras, prior to the onset of migraine pain.
Studies suggest that people with fibromyalgia experience migraines far more intensely and are more likely to experience depression as a result. It is thought that nerve hypersensitivity characteristic of fibromyalgia heightens the perception of pain both physically and psychologically.Learn MoreThe Link Between Depression and Chronic Pain
Studies suggest that people with fibromyalgia experience migraines far more intensely and are more likely to experience depression as a result. It is thought that nerve hypersensitivity characteristic of fibromyalgia heightens the perception of pain both physically and psychologically.
Learn MoreThe Link Between Depression and Chronic Pain
Some studies suggest that a class of antidepressants calledserotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)can not only help prevent migraines but treat other pain symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Options include SNRIs like Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine).
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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