Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs Abnormal Pain Messaging a Cause?Are Genetics a Cause?Is Vitamin Deficiency a Cause?Risk FactorsTriggersAssociated ConditionsDoes Fibromyalgia Go Away?When to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Is Abnormal Pain Messaging a Cause?
Are Genetics a Cause?
Is Vitamin Deficiency a Cause?
Risk Factors
Triggers
Associated Conditions
Does Fibromyalgia Go Away?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
This article will discuss the possible causes of fibromyalgia, triggers, and associated conditions.
Anastasiia Krivenok / Getty Images
What Are the First Signs of Fibromyalgia?People with FM may experience:Widespread painMuscle and/or joint stiffnessFatigueAnxietyDepressionDifficulty carrying out normal, daily activitiesSleep problemsDifficulties with thinking, concentration, and memory (sometimes known asfibro-fog)Headaches and/ormigrainesDigestive problemsTingling, numbness, or “crawling” sensationsin hands, feet, arms, and/or legsPain in the face or jawLess exercise enduranceRestless legsPainful menstrual periods
What Are the First Signs of Fibromyalgia?
People with FM may experience:Widespread painMuscle and/or joint stiffnessFatigueAnxietyDepressionDifficulty carrying out normal, daily activitiesSleep problemsDifficulties with thinking, concentration, and memory (sometimes known asfibro-fog)Headaches and/ormigrainesDigestive problemsTingling, numbness, or “crawling” sensationsin hands, feet, arms, and/or legsPain in the face or jawLess exercise enduranceRestless legsPainful menstrual periods
People with FM may experience:
Do Abnormal Pain Messages Cause Fibromyalgia?
Thecentral nervous system(CNS) comprises the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The CNS uses specialized cells to transmit information, including pain messages, all over the body.
Some studies have found that people with FM may process pain differently than those without FM. This may be related to lower levels of certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters)—such asserotoninornorepinephrine—which could cause a higher pain sensitivity and a more severe reaction to pain.Drugs that improve serotonin release—such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and duloxetine—have been shown to be effective for fibromyalgia pain.
Studies using brain images of people with FM and related chronic pain disorders have found changes in brain function and connections between different areas of the brain.
Imaging brain studies have also found thatpeople with FM may feel painwhen people without FM do not.
Other abnormalities in people with FM have been observed, such as elevated levels of excitatory neurotransmitters (like glutamate and substance P), dopamine dysregulation, and altered activity ofendogenous cerebral opioids(chemicals in the brain that help control pain).
While it is widely accepted that people with FM process pain differently, why this happens has not been pinpointed.
Fibromyalgia
Do Genetic Mutations Cause Fibromyalgia?
FM appears torun in families, but a clear inheritance pattern has not been established.
Does Family History of FM Increase Your Risk of Getting FM?The overall risk of developing FM is about 8 times higher if a person has a first-degree relative (such as a sibling or parent) with the condition.
Does Family History of FM Increase Your Risk of Getting FM?
The overall risk of developing FM is about 8 times higher if a person has a first-degree relative (such as a sibling or parent) with the condition.
Other conditions that cause chronic pain—such as headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ortemporomandibular joint dysfunction(TMD)—appear to be more common in family members of people with FM. It is suggested these disorders share some genetic risk factors with FM, leading to their clustering in families.
There are about 100 genes currently believed to be associated with pain sensitivity oranalgesia(inability to feel pain). One theory proposes that genetic and environmental factors (such as trauma, illness, emotional distress, or other triggers) may make some people more likely to develop FM.
More research is needed to examine the role genetics play in FM.
Does Vitamin Deficiency Cause Fibromyalgia?
Some studies have found that many people with chronic pain do not get therecommended dietary intakeof most vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies have been associated with FM and other conditions related to chronic pain. It is unknown whether there is a causal relationship or an association between these deficiencies and FM.
Magnesium Deficiency
Magnesium deficiency has been associated with:
These are some of the symptoms of FM.
Some studies have found that women with FM had a lowerdietary intakeof magnesium and calcium than those who did not have FM, but blood levels of these minerals did not differ between the groups.
Some evidence suggests a combination of calcium and magnesium may be helpful for some people with FM.
A relationship between magnesium deficiency and FM has not been proven. There are conflicting findings from studies, and there are methodology obstacles. For example, measuring magnesium levels in a person can be difficult—as blood tests and other measures often don’t show the whole-body magnesium status and can be misleading. Dietary intake of magnesium has also not been proven to correlate with FM. More research is needed.
Risk Factors for Fibromyalgia
Anyone can get FM, but some factors may increase the chances.
Risk factors for FM may include:
Common Fibromyalgia Triggers
Possible triggers may include:
People with FM can also have flare-ups (periods with worse symptoms). Possible triggers for FM flare-ups include:
What to Know About Fibromyalgia and COVID-19
FM is often associated with rheumatic conditions, such as:
FM has also been associated with conditions such as:
FM doesn’t go away, but it doesn’t get worse over time and doesn’t damage joints, muscles, or organs.
FM can be managed. Your healthcare provider may recommend measures such as:
FM can havesimilar symptomsas a number of other conditions. If you have symptoms of FM, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis. FM can bedifficult to diagnose, and some people need tosee a healthcare provider (or multiple providers) several times, or multiple healthcare providers, to get a diagnosis of their symptoms.
Some questions to ask your healthcare provider may include:
Summary
It is believed that FM causes pain to be processed in the brain differently, but why this happens isn’t known. It may be related to levels of chemicals in the brain or other brain abnormalities. FM is also thought to have a genetic component, which may interact with environmental factors.
Physical, emotional, or psychological stress may play a role in triggering FM.
Being assigned female at birth, being middle-aged or older, having a family history of FM, and/or having another rheumatic condition may increase the risk of developing FM.
Other conditions associated with FM include rheumatic conditions, infections, diabetes, psychological disorders, and neurological disorders.
FM does not go away, but it doesn’t get worse over time and can be managed.
13 SourcesVerywell 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.Siracusa R, Paola RD, Cuzzocrea S, Impellizzeri D.Fibromyalgia: pathogenesis, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment options update. IJMS. 2021;22(8):3891. doi:10.3390/ijms22083891Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Fibromyalgia.UpToDate.Patient education: fibromyalgia (beyond the basics).MedlinePlus.Fibromyalgia.Johns Hopkins.Fibromyalgia.National Health Service.Fibromyalgia.Office on Women’s Health.Fibromyalgia.MedlinePlus.Genetics - fibromyalgia.Andretta A, Dias Batista E, Madalozzo Schieferdecker ME, Rasmussen Petterle R, Boguszewski CL, dos Santos Paiva E.Relation between magnesium and calcium and parameters of pain, quality of life and depression in women with fibromyalgia.Adv Rheumatol. 2019;59(1):55. doi:10.1186/s42358-019-0095-3Boulis M, Boulis M, Clauw D.Magnesium and fibromyalgia: a literature review.J Prim Care Community Health. 2021;12:215013272110384. doi:10.1177/21501327211038433Mount Sinai.Magnesium.Healthdirect.Fibromyalgia.American Academy of Family Physicians.Fibromyalgia.
13 Sources
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.Siracusa R, Paola RD, Cuzzocrea S, Impellizzeri D.Fibromyalgia: pathogenesis, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment options update. IJMS. 2021;22(8):3891. doi:10.3390/ijms22083891Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Fibromyalgia.UpToDate.Patient education: fibromyalgia (beyond the basics).MedlinePlus.Fibromyalgia.Johns Hopkins.Fibromyalgia.National Health Service.Fibromyalgia.Office on Women’s Health.Fibromyalgia.MedlinePlus.Genetics - fibromyalgia.Andretta A, Dias Batista E, Madalozzo Schieferdecker ME, Rasmussen Petterle R, Boguszewski CL, dos Santos Paiva E.Relation between magnesium and calcium and parameters of pain, quality of life and depression in women with fibromyalgia.Adv Rheumatol. 2019;59(1):55. doi:10.1186/s42358-019-0095-3Boulis M, Boulis M, Clauw D.Magnesium and fibromyalgia: a literature review.J Prim Care Community Health. 2021;12:215013272110384. doi:10.1177/21501327211038433Mount Sinai.Magnesium.Healthdirect.Fibromyalgia.American Academy of Family Physicians.Fibromyalgia.
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.
Siracusa R, Paola RD, Cuzzocrea S, Impellizzeri D.Fibromyalgia: pathogenesis, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment options update. IJMS. 2021;22(8):3891. doi:10.3390/ijms22083891Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Fibromyalgia.UpToDate.Patient education: fibromyalgia (beyond the basics).MedlinePlus.Fibromyalgia.Johns Hopkins.Fibromyalgia.National Health Service.Fibromyalgia.Office on Women’s Health.Fibromyalgia.MedlinePlus.Genetics - fibromyalgia.Andretta A, Dias Batista E, Madalozzo Schieferdecker ME, Rasmussen Petterle R, Boguszewski CL, dos Santos Paiva E.Relation between magnesium and calcium and parameters of pain, quality of life and depression in women with fibromyalgia.Adv Rheumatol. 2019;59(1):55. doi:10.1186/s42358-019-0095-3Boulis M, Boulis M, Clauw D.Magnesium and fibromyalgia: a literature review.J Prim Care Community Health. 2021;12:215013272110384. doi:10.1177/21501327211038433Mount Sinai.Magnesium.Healthdirect.Fibromyalgia.American Academy of Family Physicians.Fibromyalgia.
Siracusa R, Paola RD, Cuzzocrea S, Impellizzeri D.Fibromyalgia: pathogenesis, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment options update. IJMS. 2021;22(8):3891. doi:10.3390/ijms22083891
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Boulis M, Boulis M, Clauw D.Magnesium and fibromyalgia: a literature review.J Prim Care Community Health. 2021;12:215013272110384. doi:10.1177/21501327211038433
Mount Sinai.Magnesium.
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American Academy of Family Physicians.Fibromyalgia.
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