Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain accompanied by symptoms like depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance and fatigue. In addition, affected patients frequently report cognitive disruption such as forgetfulness, concentration difficulties or mental slowness.
Many researchers believe that repeated nerve stimulation causes the brain and spinal cord of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain.
Fibro fog – also known as fibromyalgia fog and brain fog – is a common way to describe the brain-related problems that can occur with fibromyalgia. Scientists don't yet have a full picture of its causes and effects, but treating sleeping problems, depression, fatigue and chronic pain improves symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is characterized by altered frontal and cerebellar structural covariance brain networks.
Regular, low-intensity exercise, such as walking or warm-water exercise, is one of the best treatments for fibromyalgia. It helps decrease pain and stiffness, reduce stress, and may increase your sense of control over fibromyalgia. You may also sleep better.
Physical and emotional stress are the most common triggers of fibromyalgia flares. Other triggers include lack of sleep, weather changes, and hormone imbalances.
FMS patients also show problems in cognitive performance, especially in planning, attention, memory, executive functions, and processing speed. There is also evidence of high levels of negative affect, neuroticism, perfectionism, stress, anger, and alexithymia in FMS patients.
It's unlikely that you'll need an MRI for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome unless your particular set of symptoms is similar to that of a neurological illness that requires evaluation with an MRI. You may also need an MRI at some point to diagnose an injury or a different illness.
In people with fibromyalgia blood tests fail to show any serious abnormalities. CT and MRI scans looking for abnormalities affecting the brain, spinal cord or nerves are normal or inconsistent with the persons symptoms.
As many fibromyalgia patients experience some form of stress or anxiety with their symptoms, this is thought to trigger headaches, particularly tension headaches. Poor sleep may also result in headaches.
Fibromyalgia-related pain is pain that causes you to ache all over. You may have painful "tender points," places on your body that hurt no matter what medication you take. Your muscles may feel like they have been overworked or pulled even though you haven't exercised. Sometimes, your muscles will twitch.
Extreme sensitivity. Fibromyalgia can make you extremely sensitive to pain all over your body, and you may find that even the slightest touch is painful. If you hurt yourself, such as stubbing your toe, the pain may continue for much longer than it normally would.
Other researchers believe fibromyalgia is caused by a lack of deep sleep. It is during stage 4 sleep that muscles recover from the prior day's activity, and the body refreshes itself. Sleep studies show that as people with fibromyalgia enter stage 4 sleep, they become more aroused and stay in a lighter form of sleep.
Researchers concluded that fibrofog was not associated with progressive cognitive decline and did not support the idea that there is a transition over time from the memory loss to Alzheimer's disease.
Fibromyalgia is often diagnosed and managed by a rheumatologist, which is an internal medicine doctor who has specialized training in joint and musculoskeletal diseases. Multiple sclerosis is diagnosed and managed by a neurologist, which is a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the brain and nervous system.
Key Differences Between MS and Fibromyalgia
MS is an autoimmune disease caused by a problem within the immune system that causes damage to the layer covering the nerves. Fibromyalgia is thought to be caused by abnormal levels of chemicals in the brain.
Other health conditions that cause similar symptoms must be ruled out before a fibromyalgia diagnosis can be made. Medical tests that may be ordered during the diagnostic process include blood and lab tests, imaging studies, and nerve function tests.
Because fibromyalgia presents as a cluster of nebulous (vague) symptoms, and there is no definitive cure, treatments are based on trial and error. This can be tremendously frustrating to physicians and that means patients have to cope with the fallout.
FMS is associated with a high prevalence of emotional and affective disorders (particularly depression, anxiety, borderline personality, obsessive-compulsive personality, and post-traumatic stress disorder), and main symptoms and comorbidities may mutually reinforce each other.
Is Fibromyalgia a disability? Fibromyalgia is considered a disability by the SSA and it could qualify you for Social Security disability if it's preventing you from working. However, not all forms of fibromyalgia qualify for benefits, so it's important to understand the SSA requirements for eligibility.
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.
The most helpful treatment approach for fibromyalgia is a combination of self-care, physical activity and cognitive-behavioral therapy. But medication may also be needed. Many drugs prescribed for fibromyalgia work to turn down “pain volume” in the central nervous system (CNS).