Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia is a type of rheumatism which affects muscles and ligaments but not joints

Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a type of rheumatism which affects muscles and ligaments but not joints. Not only does it cause aching, stiffness and tiredness in muscles, tendons and ligaments around joints, but the worst aspect of fibromyalgia may be the muscle fatigue, tiredness, lack of energy, and lack of endurance that can be severe enough to disrupt personal and family life. It may affect one or several different parts of the body such as limbs, neck or back. Less frequently, symptoms include: tingling, numbness, poor circulation or swelling of the hands and feet, irritability, feeling low or weepy, forgetfulness and poor concentration, irritable bowels, and waking up feeling tired.
Of course symptoms like these can have other causes - your doctor can help decide whether any further tests or advice are required.

There is unfortunately, no specific blood or x-ray test for FMS

What causes Fibromyalgia?
There is no single specific cause of fibromyalgia but research has revealed that people with fibromyalgia lose deep sleep. Lack of deep sleep may have several causes and more than one cause may affect any particular individual, e.g.- the pain, stiffness and stress of an injury or of a disease like arthritis, emotional pain, anxiety or the sadness of bereavement all may reduce restorative sleep. Once fibromyalgia sets in there is a vicious cycle producing more pain and more sleep disturbance. This can be enough to cause mild depression even if this was not present initially.

Treatment of Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia cannot be cured quickly but it can be helped by medication such as paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A small dose (10–20 mg.at night) of a drug called Amitriptyline is often beneficial although it can take up to 2 months before the benefit is felt. Sleeping tablets are best avoided because they are habit forming and eventually lose their effect.

How to live with Fibromyalgia
i.   Try the medication your doctor has to offer.
ii    Avoid alcohol, tea, coffee or fizzy drinks and nasal decongestants, late at night as these can disturb sleep
iii.   Identify the stresses and strains in your life so that you can learn to face them or cope with them
iv    Eat healthily and lose the flab. Exercise and strengthen your body.
v     Exercise, sound sleep and dealing with physical or mental stress are the keys to releasing the pain and fatigue of fibromyalgia.

Do you want to ask a med4u doctor a question about Fibromyalgia?

Enter your question in the box below and give us your email address so that we can respond. If you require advice from a doctor or have multiple questions, you should consider taking a med4u consultation.