Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain throughout the body, along with other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties.
Despite it being a common condition, fibromyalgia is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, leading to significant challenges, especially for those who suffer from it.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that affects both the nervous system and the muscles, bones, and soft tissues of the body, which causes widespread pain overall.
This pain can be severe and debilitating, making it difficult to perform daily tasks and enjoy a good quality of life. In addition to pain, fibromyalgia also causes other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties.
The impact of fibromyalgia on your life, in general, is enormous.
You are suffering with this disease every day, not just today, or tomorrow, nor for a week or a month, but for a long time. And because it is not visible to other people, they will often not understand what you are going through. They will only see what they expect.
It has especially a big influence on your relationships, as chronic pain and fatigue can lead to less physical intimacy and a more difficult emotional connection between partners. Many individuals with fibromyalgia also struggle with feelings of guilt and shame, because they believe that their condition is a burden on their loved ones.
It is important for both partners to communicate openly and honestly about their needs and feelings, and to work together to find ways to support each other.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
The symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary from person to person, but here are the most common ones:
1.Widespread pain is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia, and it is often what prompts people to seek medical attention.
This pain can be difficult to describe, but it is typically experienced as a deep, persistent ache that affects many areas of the body, including the muscles, bones, and soft tissues.
The pain associated with fibromyalgia is often described as “widespread” because it can affect many different parts of the body, including the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs.
It can also be accompanied by a feeling of tenderness or soreness in the affected areas. One of the unique features of fibromyalgia pain is that it can be triggered or exacerbated by physical or emotional stressors, such as illness, injury, anxiety, or depression.
For example, someone with fibromyalgia may experience a flare-up of pain and fatigue after a period of increased physical activity or a stressful event.
2. Sleep disturbances are a frequently experienced symptom of fibromyalgia, and they can have a significant impact on a person’s overall health and well-being.
People with fibromyalgia often report having difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested after sleep. These disturbances can lead to feelings of fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating during the day.
Insomnia is one of the most common sleep disturbances experienced by people with fibromyalgia. Insomnia is characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, waking up frequently during the night, and waking up too early in the morning.
People with fibromyalgia may also experience other sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome, which can further disrupt their sleep.
3. Cognitive difficulties, also known as “fibro fog,” is a common symptom that is experienced by many people with fibromyalgia.
It is often described as a feeling of mental fogginess or confusion that can make it rather difficult to concentrate, remember things, or perform everyday tasks. Other common symptoms of cognitive difficulties in fibromyalgia include forgetfulness, difficulty with word finding, and trouble with multitasking.
These symptoms can be unpredictable and may vary in severity from day to day.
4. Headaches are another common symptom experienced by many people with fibromyalgia.
In fact, research suggests that up to 76% of people with fibromyalgia experience headaches or migraines. Headaches in fibromyalgia can vary in type, intensity, and duration.
Some people may experience tension headaches, which are often described as a band-like pain around the head, while others may experience migraines, which are typically characterized by severe, throbbing pain on one side of the head, along with other symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and visual disturbances.
5. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is often associated with fibromyalgia.
It is not entirely clear why these two conditions are commonly linked. Still, research suggests that there may be shared underlying mechanisms, including abnormalities in the way the brain processes pain signals and changes in the gut microbiome.
IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine. It is characterized by a group of symptoms that can cause discomfort and pain in the abdominal area, as well as changes in bowel movements. These symptoms can include abdominal pain or cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation, or a combination of the two.
6. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that can have a significant impact on a person’s physical health, but it can also affect their mental health.
In particular, people with fibromyalgia are at a higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Depression and anxiety can be debilitating conditions that can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life.
Depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable.
Anxiety, on the other hand, involves excessive worry or fear about everyday situations or activities.
People with fibromyalgia may experience both depression and anxiety, which can make it even more difficult to manage their chronic pain. There are many reasons why fibromyalgia may be linked to depression and anxiety.
One possibility is that the chronic pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia can be stressful and overwhelming, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression. Additionally, research suggests that there may be underlying biological mechanisms that link fibromyalgia, depression, and anxiety, such as abnormalities in the way the brain processes pain signals and changes in levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin.
Causes of Fibromyalgia
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is still not fully understood because it is such a complex disorder, but researchers believe that it is a combination of physical, emotional, and environmental factors, that contributes to the development of fibromyalgia.
Here are some of the possible causes and factors:
- One potential cause of fibromyalgia is genetics.
Research has shown that fibromyalgia often runs in families, suggesting that there may be a genetic component to the disorder. However, scientists have not yet identified a specific gene or group of genes that are responsible for fibromyalgia.
It is likely that multiple genes are involved, and that environmental factors may also play a role.
- Another potential cause of fibromyalgia is abnormal pain processing.
People with fibromyalgia may have a heightened sensitivity to pain due to changes in the way their nervous system processes pain signals.
This can cause them to experience pain in response to stimuli that would not normally be painful, such as a gentle touch or a change in temperature.
Additionally, people with fibromyalgia may experience pain in multiple areas of their body, rather than just in one specific location.
Abnormal pain processing in fibromyalgia may be related to changes in the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as serotonin and dopamine. It may also be related to changes in the way the brain and spinal cord communicate with each other, leading to increased pain sensitivity.
- Hormonal imbalances, particularly in women, are also thought to be a contributing factor in the development of fibromyalgia.
This is because hormones like estrogen and progesterone play a role in the regulation of pain perception and sensitivity. Changes in hormone levels, such as those that occur during pregnancy, menopause, or menstruation, may trigger the onset of fibromyalgia symptoms or exacerbate existing symptoms.
- Trauma or injury is another potential cause of fibromyalgia.
Some people develop fibromyalgia after experiencing a traumatic event, such as a car accident or physical assault. In other cases, a physical injury or repetitive stress injury may trigger the onset of fibromyalgia symptoms. This may be due to changes in the way the body processes pain signals, or to changes in the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord.
- Infections may also trigger the onset of fibromyalgia in some individuals.
Especially certain infections, such as Lyme disease, hepatitis C, or Epstein-Barr virus, have been linked to the development of fibromyalgia.
It is assumed that these infections may cause changes in the immune system or the nervous system that lead to the onset of fibromyalgia symptoms.
- Trauma or injury is another potential cause of fibromyalgia.
Some people develop fibromyalgia after experiencing a traumatic event, such as a car accident or physical assault. In other cases, a physical injury or repetitive stress injury may trigger the onset of fibromyalgia symptoms.
This may be due to changes in the way the body processes pain signals, or to changes in the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord.
- Infections may also trigger the onset of fibromyalgia in some individuals.
Especially certain infections, such as Lyme disease, hepatitis C, or Epstein-Barr virus, have been linked to the development of fibromyalgia. It is assumed that these infections may cause changes in the immune system or the nervous system that lead to the onset of fibromyalgia symptoms.
Treatment for Fibromyalgia
There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia, but there are several treatment options available to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
I believe that it is important to take a comprehensive approach to managing fibromyalgia. This may include a combination of traditional medical treatments, such as pain medications and physical therapy, as well as alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and mindfulness meditation.
These treatments can help reduce pain, improve sleep, and increase an overall feeling of well-being. Here are some of the most effective treatments:
Lifestyle changes:
Making changes to your diet, exercise routine, and sleep habits can help reduce symptoms of fibromyalgia. A balanced diet that includes plenty of whole, nutrient-dense foods can help reduce inflammation and improve overall health.
Making changes to your home or work environment, such as reducing exposure to toxins or using ergonomic equipment, can help reduce pain and other symptoms. I do think that this is important in all circumstances in life, it is much better to prevent than to heal afterwards.
Alternative therapies:
Many people with fibromyalgia find relief through alternative therapies. The more natural the treatment is, the less negative impact it has on the whole system from all the side effects.
Mind-body techniques such as acupuncture or acupressure, massage, meditation, yoga, EFT and tai chi or Chi Gong, can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which can improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Energy healing techniques, such as Reiki, acupuncture or acupressure, Chi Gong or EFT, can help balance the body’s energy systems and reduce pain and other symptoms.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of talk therapy that can help people with fibromyalgia to learn coping strategies for managing pain and other symptoms.
Talking is always good, but be mindful about who you talk and listen to.
Medications:
There are several medications that can help manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia, including pain relievers, antidepressants, and anti-seizure drugs. And even though I am not a fan of chemical drugs, I do understand that there are circumstances in which it may be necessary to take some of them, but I do recommend keeping that at a minimum because of the side effects they have.
Self-care:
Taking time to care for yourself, such as getting enough rest, engaging in enjoyable activities, and practicing self-compassion, can help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. All of the above can help you take better care of yourself and improve the quality of your life.
I personally know people that have been suffering from fibromyalgia and all of them have found ways to either deal with the situation or completely get rid of the symptoms.
They also have used different methods to do so, therefor it is important to realise that each of you is different and that what helped someone else, might not be right for you. But I know for sure that it is possible to get rid of all the symptoms, you just have to find the right way for you.
One of the things that I know to be very helpful in many physical and mental health situations is EFT or tapping.
Here I have an EFT tapping script that will help you to change some things in your situation. EFT is a tapping system that is derived from acupuncture, it uses the same meridians or energy streams in your body, but without the needles, we just tap on the acupuncture points.
We now know that our mindset and thoughts are also a big contributor to the things we think, feel and experience, so if you can change some of that, it will bring you relief. Let us start, all you have to do is just follow what I am doing and allow the words to enter into your nervous system, into your subconscious.
Do not worry about doing it correctly, this is a very forgiving system, if you omit a point or go in another order, it does not matter. It will still work.
