Fibromyalgia Definition, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Contrary to popular belief, Fibromyalgia isn’t “in your head.”

It’s very real, and it can really suck.

But if you don’t know much about the chronic illness, it’s easy to feel hopeless and lost because

you have no idea what’s happening to your body.

And that only compounds the stress!

Maybe you have an official diagnosis.

Or you suspect the disorder is ravaging your body.

It’s got to be something, right?

It could be Fibromyalgia.

So what is Fibromyalgia?

What are the symptoms, and are they easy to identify?

And most importantly, what does this pain mean for you as a parent?

Because the more you know about Fibromyalgia, the better off you’ll be at living with it.

Ready to learn about Fibromyalgia and how it affects you?

Here’s your introductory, non-medically fancy guide.

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a neurological disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain throughout the body.

The pain feels like an all-over body ache with stiffness, ranging from mild to debilitating.

Extreme fatigue, sensitivity to touch, anxiety, and depression are common symptoms, along with morning stiffness, headaches, jaw pain, problems with memory, and a host of others.

There are also tender points on the body that FM is characterized by.

These are tiny, penny-sized areas on the body, typically around the joints.

When pressed on, they hurt.

Tender points hurt far worse than the rest of the body. (but we’ll talk about those in more detail later).

Now that you understand what Fibromyalgia is and feels like, let’s learn more about the specifics.

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What causes Fibromyalgia?

There is no known single cause of Fibromyalgia.

Instead, studies have shown that a combination of factors, like genetics, chemical imbalances in the brain, and stressful events, may be to blame.

Possible causes of Fibromyalgia:

Genetics
Chemical imbalances in the brain
Changes in the central nervous system
Psychological stress like death, abuse, or prolonged stress
Physical stress like giving birth, a car accident, or an infection

I don’t know what caused my Fibro obviously, but I feel like it could be from a poor diet growing up and genetics (my dad’s side has chronic illness).

Is Fibromyalgia an autoimmune disease?

Fibromyalgia is considered a neurological disorder, meaning the brain, spine, and nerves are affected. This malfunction creates musculoskeletal pain all over the body.

However, more recent studies are leaning toward FM as an autoimmune disease, which indicates that the immune system may be the reason for painy seasons.

Oh, science.

The reason for this thinking is that there seems to be an increase in the body’s antibodies when FM is present, and antibodies are a part of the immune system.

Who gets Fibromyalgia?

Anybody can get Fibromyalgia, though it’s most prevalent in women. Children can get it too.

I remember being 17 when I got my first symptom! A junior in high school.

The average age range of developing FM is between 30-50, though.

If you have other conditions like arthritis, migraines, or lupus, you’re more likely to develop FM as well.

At what age is Fibromyalgia usually diagnosed?

The average age of diagnosis for Fibromyalgia is between 35-45 years old.

However, some research indicates a broader range, between 20-50 years old.

I was shortly diagnosed after I turned 21.

Is there a test for Fibromyalgia?

Unfortunately, no one test diagnoses Fibromyalgia.

Instead, doctors perform blood tests and 2 types of physical exams.

Blood test

Blood tests are used to see if you have other (comorbid) conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or hypothyroidism.

If your doctor thinks you may have FM and another disorder, you’ll likely take an FM/a blood test.

I don’t remember ever having a blood test done, just a physical exam with my rheumatologist at the time.

But let’s first break down the physical exams, as there have been changes in the last decade.

Physical exams

From 1990 to 2010, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) primarily used tender points to diagnose FM.

A doctor would press their thumb into a person’s tender points with about 8 pounds of pressure – which is not enough to bother someone without Fibro.

They’d press on 18 possible tender points, like the inner knees, lower back, outer hip, shoulders, and several other spots.

FM was usually diagnosed if a person felt pain in at least 11 of those tender points (and had pain all over the body for longer than 3 months).

But tender points move in the body, and not every day do they feel the same to someone with Fibromyalgia.

So in 2016, the ACR changed their diagnosis criteria to drop the tender point exam as a tool of official diagnosis (your doc may still check your tender points).

Instead, FM is diagnosed using the widespread pain index (WPI) and the symptom severity scale (SS).

You also must have experienced widespread pain for more than 3 months.

What are tender points?

Tender points are small areas on your body (about the size of a penny) that hurt when pressed.

They are located near your joints but are not on the joints themselves.

How many Fibromyalgia tender points are there?

There are 18 tender points in the body.

Here’s a list of tender points:

Front of neck
Back of neck
Chest
Elbows
Upper back
Lower back
Hips
Inside of the knees
Shoulders

Yep – there are technically only 9 tender points.

However, these little pain spots tend to show up symmetrically in the body (on your left and right), doubling to 18.

Besides tender points, what does Fibromyalgia feel like?

Fibromyalgia feels like waking up after being hit by a truck, day after day.

Physical symptoms vary by person, but they may include:

Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
Sore, bruised-feeling scalp
What feels like lightning bolts jolting through your body
Headaches, like ice pick headaches (idiopathic headaches)
Jaw pain (TMJ)
Stomach pain (IBS)
Body stiffness
Dull, achy legs, hips, ankles, wrists, and arms
Dry or itchy skin or a rash
Excessive sweating
Skin is sensitive to touch, light, or sound
Painful fingernails
Trouble falling or staying asleep
Intense fatigue
Brain “fog” or trouble concentrating/making decisions

From personal experience, my pain changes like the seasons.

Initially, I got ice pick headaches. I would get anywhere between 50-75+ head stabs (that’s what I called them) per day.

I logged them in a notebook after they became regular and were regularly freaking me out.

Then my symptoms transitioned to extreme scalp soreness and “body stabs” (again, my term), which felt like God striking me with lightning bolts all over my body.

The “stabs” were usually enough to stop me in my tracks, and I remember being somewhat embarrassed by them.

I mean, it was all in my head, literally…

To up the ante, my skin became overly sensitive, called allodynia.

What does Fibromyalgia look like?

Fibromyalgia has a few outward symptoms, such as dry skin and rashes.

Excessive sweating is another symptom you can “see.”

Because FM is a neurological disorder that affects the nerves and muscles, there isn’t much for the observer to see.

How often does Fibromyalgia flare-up?

How often Fibromyalgia flares up depends on the person, though it seems to happen most often when you’re under stress.

So how often do you get stressed?

If you’re like most people…often!

Though it depends on the individual and where they are in their FM journey.

As for the duration of a flare, a flare can last anywhere from several days to a few weeks, though personally, I feel like I’ve gone months through a flare!

Is Fibromyalgia common?

According to some studies, about 1 in 20 people may have some FM.

And out of the US adult population, about 2% have Fibro.

That’s nearly 4 million people.

(So you are not alone, and it’s not all in your head.)

However, some research indicates an even higher number of Americans could be diagnosed with the chronic condition – as many as 10 million adults.

There is also data to indicate that women tend to have FM more than men – though only about 10% of adults with FIbro are men.

Is Fibromyalgia permanent?

I couldn’t find any studies that said whether Fibromyalgia was permanent. Still, it is a chronic condition that can last a lifetime.

On the bright side, FM is not considered a progressive condition (a progressive disorder that worsens over time). I’ve read stories from Fibro Warriors about how they’ve learned to taper down the pain to almost none.

I’m going on 12 years with FM, and I would say I had years when my condition worsened.

I’ve also gone through periods where I didn’t experience much pain. Like, I used to longboard for miles, for fuck’s sake!

That, however, is my personal experience.

Yours is yours.

What is used to treat Fibromyalgia?

There is a slew of treatments, from medications to holistic therapies, to ease fibromyalgia symptoms. But currently, there’s nothing that cures FM.

Personally, I’ve tried medications and the latter.

I find that the more “natural” tools have more minor side effects.

Let’s run down the commonly used treatments for FM:

1. Medications

Some medications that help ease Fibromyalgia pain are:

Antidepressants/tricyclics (like amitriptyline)
Anticonvulsants (pregabalin, gabapentin, and topiramate)
Muscle relaxers (cyclobenzaprine and tizanidine)
Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (duloxetine and milnacipran)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (like paroxetine and citalopram)

2. Supplements

Supplements are a popular option for those with FM because they don’t produce the nasty side effects medications often do.

Turmeric: This yellow spice in your pantry has anti-inflammatory properties, which help decrease muscle pain along with anxiety and depression. Try it in capsule form, make delicious curries and soups, or sprinkle some on a salad.

Magnesium Citrate: Magnesium can alleviate pain and increase sleep quality. Grab a bottle (I like Natural Rhythm Triple Calm) or whip up meals rich in magnesium, like dark leafy greens or legumes.

Vitamin D3: We know to go outside to soak up vitamin D, and for a good reason: this essential nutrient can boost your mood, strengthen your immune system, and help you think clearer.

Eat mushrooms, fish, fortified milk, yogurt, cheese, and cereal to get more vitamin D.

If you’re (mostly) vegan like me, your favorite plant-based milk and whatnot are usually fortified too.

3. Trigger point injections

Some people with FM find relief with trigger point injections.

Trigger point injections ease pain in tight, knot-like areas of muscle that can be felt under the skin.

These painful spots are called trigger points.

Unlike tender points, which are painful in only that spot, trigger points cause pain elsewhere in the body when pressed due to the tight, connected muscles.

Therefore, trigger point injections can be helpful.

It works by injecting a corticosteroid and local anesthetic into the trigger point, which relaxes the tense muscles in the point and around it.

4. Acupuncture

Acupuncture may seem woo-woo (I was initially skeptical), but there is evidence to back up the benefits for those living with FM.

One study reported a 41% decrease in pain after 10 weeks of acupuncture, with 20% still feeling the positive effects a year later.

Along with a decrease in pain, acupuncture also lessens fatigue and anxiety.

When I could afford it in both time and money, I went to acupuncture every few weeks when I first started, eventually dropping to once a month.

I don’t go right now, but one day again, I will!

5. Cupping

I highly recommend cupping.

After my acupuncture session, I would get a cupping session too.

It’s incredibly relaxing and eases pain.

My acupuncturist cupped my back, shoulder blades, and neck.

Cupping works by placing a cup (usually on the back, but it can be done on the legs, arms, and elsewhere) onto the skin, which sucks the skin into the cup.

Blood flows to the cupped area, shooing away swelling and toxins.

Your circulation improves, and that is thought to reduce pain and promote healing.

You can also buy your own cupping set that doesn’t use flames, so you can do it yourself!

I use the Lure Essentials Edge set all the time.

I love it during the day on my back when I’m working and on my legs at bedtime watching TV.

6. Massage therapy

Who doesn’t love a good massage?

A good rubdown is not only a natural painkiller, but it also decreases stress and anxiety.

Look to schedule a Swedish or hot-stone massage or a myofascial release.

7. Physical therapy

Physical therapy helps people with FM build strength and flexibility through stretching and strengthening programs and lifestyle changes.

If you prefer the support of a trained professional, you might want to consider physical therapy.

8. Chiropractic care

Many suffering from FM find regular visits to a chiropractor can ease painful symptoms.

Doctors use light pressure to make adjustments.

I went to a chiropractor back in 2015 for a few months and I found it helpful.

I only stopped because it was so darn expensive.

9. Yoga

Yoga is a fun way to get some pain relief.

It relaxes your nervous system (with Fibro, your body tends to be in a constant, heightened state) and elongates tight muscles that become short from sitting at a desk all day.

My favorites are:

I find yin, Hatha, and slow flow yoga to be the most soothing.

10. Exercise

Regular low to moderate exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga can alleviate stress, pain, and fatigue.

But it can be easy to overdo it and feel like you ran a marathon when you only walked a quarter-mile, so start small.

11. Medical marijuana

Numerous studies suggest that medical marijuana can help ease body pain and poor sleep.

If you can legally get medicinal weed in your area, consider speaking with your doctor.

What does Fibromyalgia mean for you as a parent?

It means that some days will be hard.

Some weeks will be hard.

Months, maybe years.

Seasons.

Times you wished you canceled playdates and your body flat out refuses to stay awake longer than 30 minutes.

Days you don’t have the energy required for baseball in the backyard with your preschooler.

It means many frozen meals and movie marathons when the flares are too much.

It means showing your child how to love yourself, even if your body feels like it’s failing you and you’re giving it all you’ve got.

Curiosity. Self-compassion.

So much trial and error.

Good thing parenting is all about trial and error.

Your takeaway

Fibromyalgia is a neurological disorder that causes pain throughout the body, and the muscles and nerves are particularly affected.

Constant fatigue and pain are hallmark symptoms.

And doctors no longer count tender points as an official diagnosis tool.

Instead, they use the F/Ma blood test, widespread pain index, and symptom severity scale.

People commonly treat FM with supplements and medications like gabapentin and amitriptyline, as well as alternative treatments like acupuncture, cupping, and physical therapy.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for Fibromyalgia.

Still, there’s always something you can tweak to see if your pain and fatigue levels ease up.

That can be said for anything though, right?

Life is pretty cool that way.