'%3e%3cpath%20d='M18.1275%2019.4574H9.64406L7.23721%2025.7665H0.535156L9.55128%203.73926H18.2836L27.2834%2025.7676H20.5333L18.1275%2019.4574ZM13.7264%208.01919C13.2352%209.40217%2012.5803%2011.177%2012.052%2012.5971L11.3163%2014.5793H16.4575L15.7185%2012.5655C15.2087%2011.1639%2014.5516%209.3978%2014.0539%208.01919H13.7264Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M29.5195%203.10938H35.5612V25.7665H29.5195V3.10938Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M39.5898%2010.0332H45.6479V25.7678H39.5898V10.0332Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M49.6562%203.10938H55.6979V16.8923L55.7765%2016.9075L60.4025%2010.0319H67.5139L61.6141%2017.8364L67.861%2025.7665H60.576L55.7765%2018.8439L55.6979%2018.8592V25.7665H49.6562V3.10938Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M79.9824%2019.2785C79.6986%2020.2576%2078.7609%2020.9627%2077.5133%2021.157C75.8072%2021.4234%2074.4865%2020.5992%2073.9669%2018.7011L85.5121%2016.8978C84.9784%2011.6464%2081.0925%208.98853%2075.8531%209.80719C70.474%2010.6477%2067.4799%2014.5226%2068.221%2019.2643C68.9589%2023.9907%2072.9834%2026.8178%2078.3942%2025.9729C82.9743%2025.2579%2086.1594%2022.2791%2086.1136%2018.3147L79.9824%2019.2785ZM76.5866%2013.7062C77.9074%2013.5686%2078.8985%2014.1341%2079.3995%2015.2485L73.9822%2015.8107C74.3566%2014.61%2075.2604%2013.8437%2076.5866%2013.7062Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M42.6056%207.87737C40.3156%207.87737%2038.5898%206.37214%2038.5898%204.37571C38.5898%202.38147%2040.3167%200.878418%2042.6056%200.878418C44.8946%200.878418%2046.6214%202.38147%2046.6214%204.37571C46.6225%206.37214%2044.8957%207.87737%2042.6056%207.87737Z'%20fill='%23222222'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0'%3e%3crect%20width='85.5768'%20height='25.243'%20fill='white'%20transform='translate(0.535156%200.878418)'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Sign In
Explore Over 11,000+ Conditions, Medications, and Symptoms.
Get a personalized feed by signing up for free.
Additional names
This group contains additional names: - Muscular rheumatism - Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Myalgia and Myositis - Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Fibromyositis
General
Fibromyalgia (FM) is the most common cause of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, often accompanied by fatigue, cognitive disturbance, psychiatric symptoms, and other somatic symptoms. The etiology of the syndrome is unknown, and the pathophysiology is uncertain. Despite symptoms of soft tissue pain affecting the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, there is no evidence of inflammation in these tissues.
9,812 people with Fibromyalgia (FM) are on Alike.
"Alike is the place to get answers from people who firsthand share your health challenges"
Signs & symptoms
The core symptoms are generalized pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances, present for at least three months and not explained by any other medical condition - Widespread pain that is often described as a constant dull ache that has lasted for at least three months. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist. - Fatigue that can be described as awaken tired, even though sleeping for long periods of time. Sleep is often disrupted by pain, and many patients with fibromyalgia have other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea. - Cognitive difficulties that are referred to as "fibro fog" impairs the ability to focus, pay attention and concentrate on mental tasks.
Diagnosis
If you think you have fibromyalgia, visit your family physician. Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be difficult, as there's no specific test to diagnose the condition. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary and are similar to those of several other conditions. For fibromyalgia to be diagnosed, certain criteria usually have to be met. The most widely used criteria for diagnosis are: - You either have severe pain in 3 to 6 different areas of your body, or you have milder pain in 7 or more different areas - Your symptoms have stayed at a similar level for at least 3 months - No other reason for your symptoms has been found The extent of the pain used to be assessed by applying gentle pressure to certain "tender points", where any pain is likely to be at its worst. But this is less common nowadays.
Treatment
Treatments for fibromyalgia include both medication and self-care strategies. The emphasis is on minimizing symptoms and improving general health. No one treatment works for all symptoms, but trying a variety of treatment strategies can have a cumulative effect. - Medications can help reduce the pain of fibromyalgia and improve sleep. Common choices include: Pain relievers, Antidepressants, Anti-seizures drugs. - Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you exercises that will improve your strength, flexibility and stamina. Water-based exercises might be particularly helpful. - Counseling: Talking with a counselor can help strengthen your belief in your abilities and teach you strategies for dealing with stressful situations. - Self-care is critical in the management of fibromyalgia.(Stress management, Sleep hygiene, Exercise regularly, Pace yourself and Maintain a healthy lifestyle)
Note
☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike
Latest Discussions
Alike Wisdom
Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences
You Might Also Like
Struggling with Horrible Fatigue: Seeking Solutions
Seeking Advice for Halloween Outing with Pain
Struggling with Loneliness and Mental Health
Struggling with Rare Medical Conditions - Seeking Help and Advice
Coping with Ongoing Symptoms: A Guide to Managing Frustration
Struggling with Chronic Pain and Lack of Understanding
Alike is a transformative platform that goes beyond just bringing together patients; it meticulously connects individuals based on multiple critical factors, such as age, gender, comorbidities, medications, diet, and more, fostering a community of knowledge, support and empathy.
© 2020-2024 Alike, Inc