Fibromyalgia: Causes, Symptoms, What is it and Treatment

The main symptom is prolonged pain that affects different parts of the body. Pain occurs bilaterally, radiating from the waist, up and down. It can vary in intensity and is most often described as dull. ^[1]

• The pain affects the muscles and joints. Patients may have pain in their legs, arms and back.
• Sometimes chest pain is added, which can resemble the condition during a heart attack.
• Patients feel great fatigue.
• Sleep disturbances and feeling sleep deprived upon waking are common.

Other symptoms:

• Headache,
• Attention deficit disorder,
• depression and anxiety,
• abdominal pain

Some patients develop what is known as brain fog – a condition where people feel numb, unfocused and confused. At such a moment they feel like they are “in a fog”. For some patients, this mental state is more challenging than the physical pain itself. ^[2]

Patients sometimes also report so-called neurological symptoms of fibromyalgia – tingling and deterioration of sensitivity of the lower limbs. The urge to constantly move your legs can also add to this.

If the symptoms of the disease worsen again after a period of rest, it is said to be a flare-up of fibromyalgia. ^[3]

In general, experts believe that it is caused by repeated nerve stimulation and changes in certain processes in the brain. This may be due to increased levels of selected chemicals that signal pain.

In addition, pain receptors in the brain can become very sensitive over time and overreact to painful and non-painful signals.

• Infections: Some diseases (influenza, diseases caused by EB virus, etc.) can trigger fibromyalgia or worsen its course.
• Mental: Excessive long-term stress can contribute to the development of the disease.
• Trauma: Serious injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder (for example, a condition after a car accident) can be at the root of fibromyalgia.
• Genetics: Fibromyalgia often occurs in multiple people within a family. ^[6],[7]

Female sex and family history of the disease are considered to be risk factors.

It occurs in many cases simultaneously with other diseases. These include:

• Rheumatoid arthritis,
• irritable bowel syndrome,
• chronic fatigue syndrome,
• migraine,
• disorders of the temporomandibular joint. ^[8]

• According to American statistics, fibromyalgia is twice as common in women as in men. ^[11]
• Fibromyalgia patients are up to three times more likely to develop depression than healthy individuals. ^[12]
• Fibromyalgia is a very underdiagnosed disease – in practice this means that up to 75% of people are not correctly diagnosed. ^[13]

There is no targeted specific treatment for this chronic disease. Fibromyalgia therapy focuses on alleviating symptoms and promoting the best possible physical and mental state. A combination of different procedures is used to do this.

• Patients can take painkillers if needed. Opioids are not suitable because of their serious side effects and high risk of addiction. The most common painkillers include paracetamol, ibuprofen and naproxen.
• Antidepressants can relieve the pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. They also help improve sleep.
• Treatment also includes antiepileptic drugs that can relieve the symptoms of the disease.

Well-chosen exercises improve strength, mobility and endurance. For example, a physiotherapist can help you choose the right activity.

Massage helps to relax the muscles and soft tissues. They improve range of motion, relieve stress and anxiety.

Psychological counselling

Fibromyalgia has a major impact on patients’ psyche and quality of life. Regular contact with a psychologist or therapist can be very beneficial.

In fibromyalgia, it is especially important to take care of the body and the psyche. Patients should not overexert themselves physically or mentally, should limit stress and rest regularly. Suitable choices are e.g. breathing exercises.

Regular, quality sleep is the foundation of the regimen that every fibromyalgia patient should follow. ^[16]

Sports may initially worsen the pain, but this is a temporary condition. Regular exercise will often relieve the symptoms of the disease. Swimming, walking, cycling or water aerobics are recommended. Yoga and Tai Chi are also good choices as they combine movement, deep breathing and meditation.

There is no specific diet for patients, but a healthy and balanced diet is recommended. A good quality diet with good nutritional value will ensure a proper energy supply throughout the day and allow you to better cope with the pitfalls of illness. ^[17]

Although this disease can severely limit work opportunities and cause long-term disability due to severe pain and prolonged fatigue, it does not usually lead to disability. ^[18]

Although doctors and scientists are researching the disease with the aim of bringing the latest cure, no major innovation in medication has come yet.

• But promising results are being delivered by a new laser device that can significantly relieve pain in a large percentage of patients.
• In a clinical study, 87% of patients reported improvement after laser therapy. ^[19]

Another method that is being tested to relieve patients’ pain is green light therapy.

• Patients use the green LED light in a dark room for at least an hour a day while they engage in low-impact activities such as reading or listening to music. The result is a reduction in pain and less frequent painful episodes. ^[20]

There are two common myths associated with fibromyalgia.

Patients with this disease are said to have no real health problems and that it is just a matter of their mindset. This is probably because there are no special tests or examinations to diagnose it. However, the disease has clearly defined diagnostic criteria and scales that can confirm fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is sometimes mistaken for depression in disguise. The truth is that far from every fibromyalgia patient has a depressive disorder. Approximately 40% of patients suffer from depression. But there are also many people with depression who have no chronic pain or other symptoms of fibromyalgia. ^[21]

Community and online support is very important. Patients have the opportunity to share their experiences of coping with the illness. People who have been dealing with the disease for a long time can share their best tips on “what to do if my whole body hurts.”

Patient associations and organisations also involve professionals who provide advice in the health, social and legal fields. In the Czech Republic, for example, the Fibromyalgia Society of the Czech Republic is dedicated to educating and supporting patients and their families, while cooperating with doctors and workplaces focused on fibromyalgia treatment. ^[22],[23]

Note: Experience of fibromyalgia patients is very valuable to other people with this disease.