Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentComplementary TreatmentsCopingOutlookNext in Fibromyalgia GuideFibromyalgia Symptoms and Complications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complementary Treatments
Coping
Outlook
Next in Fibromyalgia Guide
Fibromyalgiais a chronic condition that causes widespread pain throughout the body’s muscles and other soft tissues. It can cause fatigue and cognitive issues, such as difficulty thinking. Fibromyalgia affects around 5% of the world’s population.
The official classification of fibromyalgia is unclear—it is known as a disorder, disease, health problem, or syndrome, depending on the source.
This article discusses fibromyalgia’s symptoms, potential causes, treatment options, and tips for living with the condition.
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What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
The primary symptom offibromyalgiais widespreadpainand tenderness to touch.
Additional symptomscan include:
Fibromyalgia
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it is likely due to a problem with how the brain processes pain. Research suggests that people with fibromyalgia have a lower pain threshold and experience an increased intensity of pain signals or how the brain interprets pain sensations.
Certain risk factors can increase a person’s chances of developing fibromyalgia. These include:
Prior diagnosis of certain medical conditions also increases the risk of developing fibromyalgia. These include:
How Do You Know If You Have Fibromyalgia?
There is no specific test that healthcare providers use todiagnosefibromyalgia. Diagnosis is primarily based on a thorough review of your symptoms.
According to the American College of Rheumatology, criteria for a fibromyalgia diagnosis are based on your scores on the Widespread Pain Index (WPI), Symptom Severity Scale, and the number of tender points on the body—as well as the absence of other health conditions that could explain your symptoms.
Symptoms assessed in these scales include:
X-raysand blood tests are often performed to rule out other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Fibromyalgia vs. LupusThe symptoms offibromyalgia and lupusare often similar, making both conditions challenging to diagnose since no single test exists for either. Fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed as lupus or vice versa, or people can have both.One study of 88 patients with lupus found that 26% had co-occurring fibromyalgia, yet physicians in this study overlooked fibromyalgia in 43% of people with the condition.
Fibromyalgia vs. Lupus
The symptoms offibromyalgia and lupusare often similar, making both conditions challenging to diagnose since no single test exists for either. Fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed as lupus or vice versa, or people can have both.One study of 88 patients with lupus found that 26% had co-occurring fibromyalgia, yet physicians in this study overlooked fibromyalgia in 43% of people with the condition.
The symptoms offibromyalgia and lupusare often similar, making both conditions challenging to diagnose since no single test exists for either. Fibromyalgia is often misdiagnosed as lupus or vice versa, or people can have both.
One study of 88 patients with lupus found that 26% had co-occurring fibromyalgia, yet physicians in this study overlooked fibromyalgia in 43% of people with the condition.
How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Treatment for fibromyalgia includes medications, physical activity, stress management or relaxation techniques, andcognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Medications
Tylenol (acetaminophen) or prescription-strength pain relievers can help reduce fibromyalgia symptoms during flare-ups.
A healthcare provider might also prescribe other drugs—such asantidepressantsor anti-seizure medications—to treat additional symptoms of fibromyalgia, including sleep difficulties and anxiety or depression.
Some medications treat both sleep issues and pain, including:
Physical Activity
People with fibromyalgia often have decreased strength and endurance, but regular physical activity helps address these issues and improves heart and lung health.Exercise also releasesendorphins, chemicals in the brain that improve mood and decrease pain perception.
Choose low-intensity exercises, such as:
You can need to work with aphysical therapistto develop an individualized exercise program.
Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques
Fibromyalgia often causes mental and emotional distress. Incorporatingstress managementand relaxation techniques into your daily activities can help.
Examples include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBThas been proven effective in improving the quality of life for people with fibromyalgia.
Benefits can include:
Daily Fibromyalgia Self-Care Around Flare-Ups
Complications of FibromyalgiaHaving fibromyalgia can lead to other complications, such as:Decreased quality of lifeIncreased rates of depressionHigher risk of developing arthritisIncreased rate of death from injuries or suicideA higher number of hospitalizations
Complications of Fibromyalgia
Having fibromyalgia can lead to other complications, such as:Decreased quality of lifeIncreased rates of depressionHigher risk of developing arthritisIncreased rate of death from injuries or suicideA higher number of hospitalizations
Having fibromyalgia can lead to other complications, such as:
Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia
Complementary alternative treatments have been reported to help some people with fibromyalgia manage their symptoms. However, more research is needed to prove their effectiveness.
Living Well With Fibromyalgia
Making a few changes to your lifestyle can improve your overall well-being when you’re living with fibromyalgia.
Improve your sleep with these tips:
Additional steps you can take include:
Outlook for Fibromyalgia
For additional tools and resources, and help finding a rheumatologist who treats fibromyalgia in your area, check out theNational Fibromyalgia Association website.
11 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.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(8):3891. doi:10.3390%2Fijms22083891American College of Rheumatology.Fibromyalgia.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Fibromyalgia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fibromyalgia.Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles MA, et al.The american college of rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity.Arthritis Care Res. 2010;62(5):600-610. doi:10.1002/acr.20140Huang FF, Fang R, Nguyen MH, Bryant K, Gibson KA, O’Neill SG.Identifying co-morbid fibromyalgia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus using the Multi-Dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire.Lupus. 2020;29(11):1404-1411. doi:10.1177/0961203320945379Bidonde J, Busch AJ, Schachter CL, et al.Aerobic exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2017(6):CD012700. doi:10.1002%2F14651858.CD012700Prados G, Miró E, Martínez MP, Sánchez AI, Lami MJ, Cáliz R.Combined cognitive-behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia: Effects on polysomnographic parameters and perceived sleep quality.Int J Clin Health Psychol. 2020;20(3):232-242. doi:10.1016/j.ijchp.2020.04.002Pfalzgraf AR, Lobo CP, Giannetti V, Jones KD.Use of complementary and alternative medicine in fibromyalgia: results of an online survey.Pain Management Nursing. 2020;21(6):516-522. doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2020.07.003Theadom A, Cropley M, Smith HE, Feigin VL, McPherson K.Mind and body therapy for fibromyalgia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(4):CD001980. doi:10.1002%2F14651858.CD001980.pub3Harvard Health Publishing.Getting the best treatment for your fibromyalgia.
11 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.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(8):3891. doi:10.3390%2Fijms22083891American College of Rheumatology.Fibromyalgia.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Fibromyalgia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fibromyalgia.Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles MA, et al.The american college of rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity.Arthritis Care Res. 2010;62(5):600-610. doi:10.1002/acr.20140Huang FF, Fang R, Nguyen MH, Bryant K, Gibson KA, O’Neill SG.Identifying co-morbid fibromyalgia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus using the Multi-Dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire.Lupus. 2020;29(11):1404-1411. doi:10.1177/0961203320945379Bidonde J, Busch AJ, Schachter CL, et al.Aerobic exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2017(6):CD012700. doi:10.1002%2F14651858.CD012700Prados G, Miró E, Martínez MP, Sánchez AI, Lami MJ, Cáliz R.Combined cognitive-behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia: Effects on polysomnographic parameters and perceived sleep quality.Int J Clin Health Psychol. 2020;20(3):232-242. doi:10.1016/j.ijchp.2020.04.002Pfalzgraf AR, Lobo CP, Giannetti V, Jones KD.Use of complementary and alternative medicine in fibromyalgia: results of an online survey.Pain Management Nursing. 2020;21(6):516-522. doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2020.07.003Theadom A, Cropley M, Smith HE, Feigin VL, McPherson K.Mind and body therapy for fibromyalgia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(4):CD001980. doi:10.1002%2F14651858.CD001980.pub3Harvard Health Publishing.Getting the best treatment for your 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.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(8):3891. doi:10.3390%2Fijms22083891American College of Rheumatology.Fibromyalgia.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Fibromyalgia.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fibromyalgia.Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles MA, et al.The american college of rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity.Arthritis Care Res. 2010;62(5):600-610. doi:10.1002/acr.20140Huang FF, Fang R, Nguyen MH, Bryant K, Gibson KA, O’Neill SG.Identifying co-morbid fibromyalgia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus using the Multi-Dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire.Lupus. 2020;29(11):1404-1411. doi:10.1177/0961203320945379Bidonde J, Busch AJ, Schachter CL, et al.Aerobic exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2017(6):CD012700. doi:10.1002%2F14651858.CD012700Prados G, Miró E, Martínez MP, Sánchez AI, Lami MJ, Cáliz R.Combined cognitive-behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia: Effects on polysomnographic parameters and perceived sleep quality.Int J Clin Health Psychol. 2020;20(3):232-242. doi:10.1016/j.ijchp.2020.04.002Pfalzgraf AR, Lobo CP, Giannetti V, Jones KD.Use of complementary and alternative medicine in fibromyalgia: results of an online survey.Pain Management Nursing. 2020;21(6):516-522. doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2020.07.003Theadom A, Cropley M, Smith HE, Feigin VL, McPherson K.Mind and body therapy for fibromyalgia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(4):CD001980. doi:10.1002%2F14651858.CD001980.pub3Harvard Health Publishing.Getting the best treatment for your fibromyalgia.
Siracusa R, Paola RD, Cuzzocrea S, Impellizzeri D.Fibromyalgia: pathogenesis, mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment options update.Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(8):3891. doi:10.3390%2Fijms22083891
American College of Rheumatology.Fibromyalgia.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Fibromyalgia.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fibromyalgia.
Wolfe F, Clauw DJ, Fitzcharles MA, et al.The american college of rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity.Arthritis Care Res. 2010;62(5):600-610. doi:10.1002/acr.20140
Huang FF, Fang R, Nguyen MH, Bryant K, Gibson KA, O’Neill SG.Identifying co-morbid fibromyalgia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus using the Multi-Dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire.Lupus. 2020;29(11):1404-1411. doi:10.1177/0961203320945379
Bidonde J, Busch AJ, Schachter CL, et al.Aerobic exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2017(6):CD012700. doi:10.1002%2F14651858.CD012700
Prados G, Miró E, Martínez MP, Sánchez AI, Lami MJ, Cáliz R.Combined cognitive-behavioral therapy for fibromyalgia: Effects on polysomnographic parameters and perceived sleep quality.Int J Clin Health Psychol. 2020;20(3):232-242. doi:10.1016/j.ijchp.2020.04.002
Pfalzgraf AR, Lobo CP, Giannetti V, Jones KD.Use of complementary and alternative medicine in fibromyalgia: results of an online survey.Pain Management Nursing. 2020;21(6):516-522. doi:10.1016/j.pmn.2020.07.003
Theadom A, Cropley M, Smith HE, Feigin VL, McPherson K.Mind and body therapy for fibromyalgia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(4):CD001980. doi:10.1002%2F14651858.CD001980.pub3
Harvard Health Publishing.Getting the best treatment for your fibromyalgia.
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