Fibromyalgia

FMS • Fibromyalgia Syndrome

The Facts (5,8)

Fibromyalgia is a term referring to a pattern of generalized pain all over the body, but without any visible signs of inflammation or change. It is very common and affects people of all ages, but occurs predominantly in women.  

While fibromyalgia can occur by itself, it can also be associated with or overlap with several other diseases and syndromes.

An important component of fibromyalgia is that, besides pain, it affects functioning in many ways. Mood disorders, thinking and memory impairments, disordered sleep, marked chronic fatigue, depression, high sensitivity to touch, frequent allergies, and sinusitis are some of the ways fibromyalgia seems to affect how people function.

Causes (5,8)

Fibromyalgia has been linked to depression, anxiety, mood disorders, other pain problems, and emotional stress. People with fibromyalgia do not have visible signs of abnormality, but they often show subtle abnormalities in sleep studies, electroencephalograms (EEGs; a test that measures electrical activity of the brain), nerve conduction, hormones, and tests that measure nerve pain conduction and other parameters of the pain pathway.

These abnormal tests suggest that fibromyalgia is a distinct disorder, but the problem researchers have is deciding which comes first. Is there a current unknown disorder that is causing these abnormalities, or are these abnormalities the result of an emotional disorder or reaction to chronic pain or difficult life events? All of the abnormalities reported in research studies involving people with fibromyalgia are also linked to emotional disorders.

Are brain, hormone, and nerve disorders the disease or the result of stress, anxiety, or depression? This uncertainty of what causes fibromyalgia shapes how therapy is approached. Currently, effective treatment involves lifestyle improvements, exercise, psychotherapy, and medications for anxiety and depression.

Whatever the cause of fibromyalgia, it is a very real and disabling disorder that requires intensive and sympathetic treatment.

Symptoms and Complications (8)

The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are achy pain; tenderness to touch; and stiffness in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The neck, shoulders, abdomen, lower back, and thighs are the parts most likely to be affected. The pain may be spread out evenly over a large area.

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include difficulty sleeping and lack of energy, chronic fatigue, anxiety and depression, headaches, bowel problems, and breathing disorders. People who experience these other symptoms often do not have painful, tender, red, or hot joints.

It was believed for a long time that "tender points," which refer to 18 areas in specified parts of the body that are sensitive to a measured amount of point pressure, were hallmarks of the disease and necessary for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. This is now recognized to be incorrect. People with fibromyalgia have tenderness all over the body that is not just limited to 18 tender points.

Making the Diagnosis (8)

There is no definitive medical test for fibromyalgia. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made by doing a physical exam and a thorough history.

Not all people with unclassified pain should be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Rather, diagnosing fibromyalgia requires the recognition of the characteristic patterns and the absence of any other medical conditions (e.g., lupus, rheumatoid arthritis) that may be causing similar symptoms.

Treatment and Prevention (4,7,8,9)

Fibromyalgia is often treated in a multifaceted fashion, using both medications and non-medication methods to improve symptoms. Treatment is individualized to each person depending on their symptoms.  Non-medication methods to relieve symptoms include regular sleep, regular stretching and aerobic exercises, hot compresses, and gentle massages.  

Treatment plans provide patients with support and an understanding of their needs.

Counselling is also very helpful. Counsellors and doctors help people find ways to address life problems that may be playing a role, encouraging people to believe that their problems can be overcome. Psychotherapy with talk therapy and medications are also used for treatment if indicated.

Medication is used in fibromyalgia to manage symptoms on an individual basis. Painkillers, such as acetaminophen,* and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., ibuprofen and naproxen) are generally not helpful in fibromyalgia. Narcotic painkillers should be avoided because of the risk of dependence when there is no clear physical cause for the pain.

There are medications available specifically for fibromyalgia, including pregabalin and duloxetine. They work by affecting pain pathways in the body, and help to improve pain in some patients with fibromyalgia.

Low doses of antidepressant medications (e.g., amitriptyline, nortriptyline, trazodone) are often used to treat fibromyalgia, but are not approved by Health Canada for fibromyalgia. Antidepressants can improve sleep and may help with the pain. In higher doses, they can also be used to treat people who have mood disorders in addition to fibromyalgia.

*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen). A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.