Fibromyalgiapain is not like other kinds of pain.
The pain punch in and pattern can differ from one person to the next.
They may come and go, or they may be constant.
Photo composite by Lecia Landis for Verywell Health; Getty Images
If you dont feel pain at those points, does it mean you dont have fibromyalgia?
No, not at all.
Tender points arent afibromyalgia symptom.
Theyre an outdated diagnostic tool that measures widespread tenderness.
In 2010, the American College of Rheumatology adopteddiagnostic criteriathat dont involve tender points.
Where Fibromyalgia Hurts
Where fibromyalgia causes active, noticeable painand not just general tendernessis different for everyone.
It may be determined by where youve had previous injuries, surgeries, or other trauma.
Its sometimes described as a full-body migraine.
Some people with fibromyalgia feel an intense, sunburn-like pain on the skin all over their bodies.
Some people experience stabbing, shooting, or zinging pains, while others may have a deep ache.
You may have several different types of pain, and they may come and go.
What Is a Fibromyalgia Flare?
Afibromyalgia flareis when fibromyalgia pain (and other symptoms) is especially bad.
When symptoms lessen, its called remission.
Not everyone with fibromyalgia has flares and remissions, but they are extremely common.
For example, you may often have diffuse aches but have stabbing abdominal pains during flares.
Learning about your flares can help you avoid or lessen them.
These systems are:
The prevailing theory of what causes fibromyalgia pain iscentral sensitization.
This means the central nervous system has become hypersensitive to stimuli.
This complex set of dysfunctions involves anatomical, structural, neurochemical, and immunological changes.
Fibromyalgia Pain Management
Fibromyalgia pain is hard to treat.
While there are many treatment options, they don’t all work for everyone.
It usually takes multiple approaches to achieve meaningful relief.
Medication
Prescription medications are a common part of a fibromyalgia treatment regimen.
Neither are common sleep medications likeAmbien (zolpidem)or Lunesta (eszopiclone).
In studies, its been shown to be consistently effective.
Common types ofexercise for fibromyalgiainclude:
Working with a physical therapist may help you get started the right way.
Otherwise, you risk putting yourself into a flare.
Stress management and exercise can be combined if you do yoga or tai chi.Meditation andmindfulnesscan also help.
This well-studied intervention may help you cope better with the realities and limitations of chronic illness.
Research shows the system affected by cannabis is dysregulated in fibromyalgia.
That system is called theendocannabinoid system.
However, itll take more studies and longer-term research to know for certain what effect they have.
Supplements
Many people with fibromyalgia use supplements to help control their symptoms.
Research into most of them is lacking, though.
Some supplements with research supporting their use include:
Preliminary research suggests avegetarianorvegan dietmay help ease fibromyalgia symptoms.
Alow-FODMAP (low-fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols)dietmay, as well.
This area of study needs a lot more attention and well-designed studies, though.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapiesare those in which a therapist touches your body to make it treat it.
How to Stay Ahead of Fibromyalgia Pain
Managing your fibromyalgia pain can be a full-time job.
Its important to learn what triggers flares and how to avoid them.
The basics are:
Finding the right treatments for you will take time and experimentation.
Expect setbacks as you try things that dont work or cause negative side effects.
This trial-and-error process can be overwhelming at first.
But eventually, spotting and avoiding triggers and staying on track with treatments will become second nature.
Sleep Disorders
People with fibromyalgia often havesleep disorders, which can exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms.
Pain can also make sleep especially difficult.
Meanwhile, quality sleep is a known way to alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms.
That makes identifying and treating sleep disorders crucial.
They may order asleep study(polysomnogram) so they can diagnose sleep disorders.
Watch for new symptoms, especially those unrelated to fibromyalgia, and bring them up with your healthcare provider.
Advocating for Yourself With Invisible Fibromyalgia Pain
Fibromyalgia pain is invisible.
Sometimes, its necessary to find a new provider whos willing to help you.
You may also run into problems at work because of your symptoms and fluctuating health.
Summary
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition with abnormal pain types, including hyperalgesia and allodynia.
Its common to have flares and remissions.
The cause of fibromyalgia pain isnt yet proven, but many nervous system abnormalities have been implicated.
You may need to educate the people around you about your illness and how it affects you.
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