Fibromyalgia, or Fibromyalgia Pain Syndrome, is a chronic and widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder. It is defined as a long-term, body-wide pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons – the soft fibrous tissues in the body.
What type of pain is fibromyalgia?
The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are: Chronic, widespread pain throughout the body or at multiple sites. Pain is often felt in the arms, legs, head, chest, abdomen, back, and buttocks. People often describe it as aching, burning, or throbbing.
How do I know if I have fibromyalgia or neuropathy?
Symptoms include pins and needles, numbness, tingling, and weakness. People with fibromyalgia may experience the same symptoms. However, these symptoms tend to come and go in fibromyalgia. In peripheral neuropathy, they are usually constant.
Is fibromyalgia pain or arthritis?
Fibromyalgia is not a form of arthritis (joint disease). It does not cause inflammation or damage to joints, muscles or other tissues. However, because fibromyalgia can cause chronic pain and fatigue similar to arthritis, some people may think of it as a rheumatic condition.
Is fibromyalgia a nerve or muscle pain Related Questions
What triggers fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers include: a serious injury, such as after a car accident. an infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus or Lyme disease.
Where is most fibromyalgia pain located?
The central feature of fibromyalgia is chronic pain in multiple sites. These sites are the head, each arm, the chest, the abdomen, each leg, the upper back and spine, and the lower back and spine (including the buttocks). The pain may be mild to severe. It may feel like a deep ache, or a stabbing, burning pain.
Is fibromyalgia a bone or muscle pain?
What is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain in muscles and soft tissues all over the body. It is an ongoing (chronic) condition. It can affect your neck, shoulders, back, chest, hips, buttocks, arms, and legs.
What are 2 symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Pain and stiffness all over the body. Fatigue and tiredness. Depression and anxiety. Sleep problems. Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration. Headaches, including migraines.
How do doctors tell if you have fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed based primarily on having pain all over the body, along with other symptoms. Currently, there are no specific laboratory or imaging tests for fibromyalgia.
How do you know if you may have fibromyalgia?
Widespread pain. If you have fibromyalgia, one of the main symptoms is likely to be widespread pain. Extreme sensitivity. Stiffness. Fatigue. Poor sleep quality. Cognitive problems (‘fibro-fog’) Headaches. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Which medicine is best for fibromyalgia?
Gabapentin (Neurontin) is sometimes helpful in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms, while pregabalin (Lyrica) was the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia.
What painkiller is best for fibromyalgia?
The drugs amitriptyline, duloxetine, milnacipran and pregabalin can relieve fibromyalgia pain in some people. They may cause side effects such as a dry mouth or nausea. Normal painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (paracetamol) aren’t recommended for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Can fibromyalgia be cured?
If you’re living with fibromyalgia, you already know that there is no cure for the pain and fatigue you often feel. Fortunately, with medications, self-care strategies and lifestyle modifications, living with fibromyalgia can be a little easier.
What is the best exercise for fibromyalgia?
Experts typically recommend any low-impact aerobic activity, such as walking, swimming, or cycling. Your doctor may advise you to work with a physical therapist on exercises specifically aimed at reducing pain and stiffness and improving function.
What is the latest treatment for fibromyalgia?
Currently the two drugs that are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of fibromyalgia are pregabalin and duloxetine. Newer data suggests that milnacipran, a dual norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor, may be promising for the treatment of fibromyalgia.
How long does fibromyalgia last?
You should expect to manage fibromyalgia symptoms for a long time — maybe for the rest of your life. Some people with fibromyalgia experience fewer flare-ups with milder symptoms after they find treatments that work for them.
Does massage help fibromyalgia?
One of the best treatments is for fibromyalgia sufferers to receive is massage therapy. Such therapy helps people get calf pain relief, decreases their stress hormones, and increases their serotonin level. With these benefits, it improves the overall sense of well-being.
Is fibromyalgia a disease or illness?
Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process painful and nonpainful signals.
What vitamins are best for fibromyalgia?
In some cases, the doctor may recommend a multivitamin that includes antioxidant vitamins A, C, D, E, and the B vitamins, as well as calcium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc to ease symptoms. Coenzyme Q10. This antioxidant, used to convert food into energy, has shown some promise in treating fibromyalgia symptoms.
What drinks are good for fibromyalgia?
Water. Fibromyalgia sufferers should drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day. A variety of herbal and fruit teas may also be beneficial.