Fibromyalgia

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia causes widespread, chronic pain throughout the body, in the muscles, bones, and connective tissues. Fibromyalgia is among the most common causes of chronic pain, with up to 12 million people thought to have the mysterious condition in the United States alone.

Research is ongoing into what causes fibromyalgia, but the precise cause remains elusive. There could be a genetic link, as several members of a family often have fibromyalgia, and there are indications that fibromyalgia is related to problems in the central nervous system.

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

The overriding symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain throughout your whole body. It’s often described as an intense aching or soreness, with extreme tenderness in specific areas called trigger points. Pressing on these trigger points causes throbbing pain.

Fibromyalgia can cause a range of other symptoms, and you may experience all or just some of them:

• Chronic fatigue
• Problems sleeping
• Memory and concentration problems (known as “fibro fog”)
• Headaches

Other conditions common in patients with fibromyalgia include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lupus
• Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety
• Endometriosis
• Headaches
• IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
• PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Restless leg syndrome
• Sleep apnea

Researchers have not come up with diagnostic tests that can confirm the presence of fibromyalgia, so diagnosis usually comes after other possible causes of the symptoms are excluded.

What treatments are available for fibromyalgia?

There’s no cure for fibromyalgia, but your pain specialist at Chicagoland Pain Management can help reduce fibromyalgia’s effects.

Among several potentially helpful forms of medication to tame fibromyalgia are:

• Prescription pain relievers
• Antidepressants
• Anti-seizure medication
• Ketamine infusions

Ketamine infusions are an effective alternative to opioid medication for several chronic pain conditions, and research shows that they can reduce the intensity of pain in patients with fibromyalgia.

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling also play a vital role in helping you manage your chronic pain. While it’s important to pace yourself when you have fibromyalgia, it’s not helpful to stop being physically active. Yoga, Pilates, and tai chi can be very beneficial, as they’re gentle but effective forms of exercise.

For genuinely helpful therapies that relieve the extreme effects of fibromyalgia, call Chicagoland Pain Management today or book an appointment online.