How does fibromyalgia differ from polymyalgia? What are the key symptoms and causes of each condition? Get the facts here.

Defining Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and sensitivity to touch. It is estimated that around 4 million adults in the United States have fibromyalgia, with women being twice as likely to develop the condition as men. While children can also have fibromyalgia, it is more common in older adults.

The main symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain throughout the body, particularly in the back and neck. Individuals with fibromyalgia may also experience stiffness, muscle spasms, extreme sensitivity to stimuli like touch, light, and certain foods, as well as cognitive difficulties, headaches, and digestive issues.

Triggers and Risk Factors for Fibromyalgia

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but it is believed to be related to changes in brain chemistry and central nervous system function. Physical or emotional stress is a common trigger for fibromyalgia flare-ups, including events like giving birth, injury, infection, major life changes, or dealing with grief.

Other potential triggers for fibromyalgia include lack of sleep, exhaustion, temperature or weather changes, diet changes, and hormonal imbalances. Individuals with certain rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis, are also at a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia.

Managing Fibromyalgia Flare-ups

Flare-ups can happen without warning, but there are ways to try to prevent and manage them. Keeping a log of activities, meals, sleep patterns, and symptoms can help identify specific triggers. Reducing stress through relaxation techniques, cognitive behavioral therapy, and group therapy can also be beneficial.

Regular exercise, such as walking, biking, swimming, and water aerobics, can improve fibromyalgia symptoms over time, despite initial increases in pain. Maintaining good posture, stretching, and relaxation exercises may also help manage the condition.

Understanding Polymyalgia

Polymyalgia, also known as polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), is a different condition that causes muscle pain and stiffness, particularly in the shoulders and hips. Unlike fibromyalgia, polymyalgia is an inflammatory condition that typically affects older adults, with an average onset age of 70 years.

The main symptoms of polymyalgia include severe morning stiffness, aching, and limited range of motion in the shoulders, hips, and neck. Polymyalgia can also cause fever, weight loss, and fatigue. Unlike fibromyalgia, polymyalgia is not associated with widespread pain or sensitivity to touch.

Distinguishing Between Fibromyalgia and Polymyalgia

The key differences between fibromyalgia and polymyalgia are the nature of the pain and the underlying causes. Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition with widespread musculoskeletal pain, while polymyalgia is an inflammatory condition that primarily affects the shoulders and hips.

Another important distinction is that polymyalgia is often accompanied by elevated inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, which are not typically elevated in fibromyalgia. Additionally, polymyalgia is more common in older adults, while fibromyalgia can occur at any age.

Seeking Proper Diagnosis and Treatment

Given the similarities in symptoms, it is crucial for individuals experiencing muscle pain and stiffness to seek proper medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause. Proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for managing fibromyalgia and polymyalgia effectively.

For fibromyalgia, a combination of lifestyle modifications, pain management strategies, and medications may be recommended. For polymyalgia, corticosteroid therapy is often the primary treatment, along with physical therapy and other supportive measures.

If an individual is experiencing symptoms that could be indicative of either fibromyalgia or polymyalgia, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough assessment and tailored treatment plan.

Warning signs, tips, and treatments

Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body. Symptoms of fibromyalgia flares vary but often involve widespread pain, joint stiffness, and extreme sensitivity to stimuli.

Scientists estimate that around 4 million adults in the United States have fibromyalgia. Women are twice as likely to have fibromyalgia as men. Children can have fibromyalgia, but it is more common in older adults.

When fibromyalgia pains flare up, every activity can seem more difficult. All people experience flares differently, and there can be different triggers depending on the person.

This article discusses the symptoms of fibromyalgia flares, their causes, and how to manage them.

Some people with fibromyalgia may experience certain symptoms regularly. However, the pain associated with fibromyalgia tends to fluctuate and worsen.

When symptoms temporarily increase in number or intensity, it is called a flare or flare-up. A flare-up can last anywhere from a few days to weeks.

The main symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain. People may also experience stiffness and tenderness of the muscles, tendons, and joints. The individual symptoms differ from one person to another. Symptoms can vary in intensity and come and go.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia may include:

• pain throughout the body, particularly in the back or neck
• extreme sensitivity to touch, light, smoke, and certain foods
• stiffness when staying in the same position for long periods
• muscles spasms
• extreme tiredness
• poor quality sleep
• fatigue
• trouble with memory and concentration referred to as “fibro fog”
• slow or confused speech
• frequent headaches or migraines
• irritable bowel syndrome

Someone with fibromyalgia may sometimes experience clumsiness, dizzy spells, feeling too hot or cold, painful periods, restless legs syndrome, and numbness or tingling in hands and feet.

Daily pain and sleep deprivation can cause problems at home and work. The stress of coping with a condition can also lead to anxiety and depression.

Flare-ups can happen without warning but often have noticeable triggers.

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. However, changes in brain chemical levels and central nervous system function may play a role.

Periods of physical or emotional stress are common triggers for fibromyalgia. This may include:

• giving birth
• injury or infection
• large operations
• large life changes
• dealing with grief

Other factors may trigger a fibromyalgia flare-up, including:

• lack of sleep
• exhaustion
• temperature or weather changes
• diet changes
• hormonal imbalances

People are at more risk of fibromyalgia if they have a rheumatic disease. Rheumatic diseases affect the bones, muscles, and joints. They include:

• osteoarthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• lupus
• ankylosing spondylitis

Visit our dedicated arthritis hub here.

Although some triggers for fibromyalgia are beyond a person’s control, managing modifiable risk factors can help to prevent flare ups.

Reducing the risk of flare ups and practicing self care can improve symptoms and overall quality of life.

Below are several lifestyle changes and tips that may help relieve symptoms and make fibromyalgia easier to live with daily.

Keeping a log of triggers

Triggers for fibromyalgia vary from person to person. Maintaining a log of activities, meals, sleep times and duration, and symptoms of fibromyalgia may help to identify particular triggers.

Recording these activities might highlight patterns of what triggers a flare. This might help a person with fibromyalgia find out how to better manage or avoid those triggers.

Reducing stress and relaxing

Stress makes symptoms of fibromyalgia worse. Many people with fibromyalgia experience stress and feelings of depression, anxiety, and frustration. People may benefit from trying to avoid or limit exposure to stressful situations and making time to relax.

While techniques such as meditation or deep breathing may help manage stress, it is important that people with fibromyalgia do not avoid physical activity altogether. People with fibromyalgia who quit work or stop exercising do not do as well as those that stay active.

Options to assist with stress management are available and include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, and feedback from qualified health professionals.

Exercising regularly

Regular physical activity can often improve symptoms of fibromyalgia. Although exercise may increase pain at first, it may help prevent pain over time.

Activities that may help people with fibromyalgia include walking, biking, swimming, and water aerobics. Maintaining good posture habits, stretching, and relaxation exercises may also help.

People with fibromyalgia begin with gentle exercises, such as walking and build up endurance and intensity slowly.

Resistance and strengthening exercises may improve muscle strength, physical disability, depression, and quality of life. They can also improve tiredness and boost mood in people with fibromyalgia.

Learn more about the best exercises for fibromyalgia here.

Getting enough sleep

Fatigue is one of the main symptoms of fibromyalgia. It is essential that people with fibromyalgia get enough sleep.

Sleep hygiene practices that may help include going to bed and getting up at the same time every day and limiting napping during the day. Other helpful practices include:

• limiting screen time before bed
• limiting caffeine intake
• ensuring the sleep environment is dark and quiet
• avoiding eating large meals late in the evening

Learn more about the importance of sleep in our dedicated hub.

Not doing too much

While regular physical activity is recommended to help manage fibromyalgia symptoms, it is crucial to limit overexertion and not to do too much.

Moderation is the key. If a person with fibromyalgia does too much on days where their symptoms are good, they may end up having more bad days. However, on bad days, individuals should still try to be as active as they can. Keeping activity levels as even as possible provides the best outcome.

Diet

Although there is no specific diet recommended for people with fibromyalgia, there are certain foods that appear to make fibromyalgia symptoms worse.

Try an elimination diet, in which you exclude certain food groups each week to see if symptoms improve. If symptoms get better after ruling out a certain type of food, they may well be connected to fibromyalgia symptoms.

Studies show that Mediterranean, vegetarian, low gluten, and low FODMAP diets may all help manage fibromyalgia symptoms.

Maintaining proper nutrition will help boost energy levels and help avoid other health problems.

Learn more about which foods to limit or prioritize to manage fibromyalgia here.

Fibromyalgia and Social Security

Many people with fibromyalgia find themselves unable to work or resume a normal standard of living.

For such people, Social Security rulings in the United States dictate that so long as a medical or osteopathic doctor can determine that the disease causes medically determinable impairment (MDI), the condition will qualify as a disability for Social Security payments.

This means that a doctor should be able to confirm:

• a history of widespread pain
• a minimum of 11 tender points following examination
• repeated instances of at least six fibromyalgia symptoms
• no other conditions are causing the pain

The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires medical documentation dating back 12 months related to the disease and may conduct interviews with relatives, friends, neighbors, and past employers to confirm the diagnosis.

In some cases, the SSA may fund a consultation to confirm the debilitating nature of the disease.

Treating fibromyalgia flares can be tricky. Preventing a flare from developing in the first place is less complicated than treating a flare.

Fibromyalgia has several symptoms, which means that no one treatment will fix them all. Also, a treatment that works for one person may not work for another.

Treatment plans will often combine medication and lifestyle changes.

Medications that may help reduce fibromyalgia pain and improve sleep include:

• antidepressants
• anti-seizure drugs
• naltrexone, which is an anti-opioid medication, may be helpful

Talking therapies such as CBT aim to alter the way a person thinks about things and may help tackle fibromyalgia in a more positive way. Psychotherapy can also help someone with fibromyalgia help understand and deal with their thoughts and feelings.

Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, massage, and aromatherapy may also help with relaxation and stress.

There is no cure for fibromyalgia. However, medication and lifestyle changes can help treat fibromyalgia and reduce the likelihood of flares. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be managed, and people with the disorder can live a full life.

Participating in regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to avoid fibromyalgia flares and manage pain.

Fibromyalgia can cause widespread pain, fatigue, and stiffness. Symptoms tend to occur in periods of flares.

Physical and emotional stress are the most common triggers of fibromyalgia flares. Other triggers include lack of sleep, weather changes, and hormone imbalances.

3. Symptoms of CFS and Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia. What is Fibromyalgia?

IMPORTANT
The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome resulting from a genetically determined phenomenon of central sensitization. It manifests itself as diffuse pain in the musculoskeletal structures, combined with fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression. It is diagnosed according to clinical criteria with laboratory and instrumental exclusion of rheumatic pathology, organic causes of pain. Treatment is carried out using a combination of non-drug (exercise therapy, psychotherapy) and medication (antidepressants, GABA derivatives, local anesthetics) methods.

ICD-10

M79.7 Fibromyalgia

• Causes of fibromyalgia
• Pathogenesis
• Symptoms of fibromyalgia
• Diagnostics
  • Differential diagnosis
• Fibromyalgia treatment
• Prognosis and prevention
• Prices for treatment

General

Fibromyalgia has long been known in medical practice, it is observed in 4% of the population, it is prevalent mainly in middle-aged women (35-55 years). Due to the lack of an organic substrate, the disease was for a long time attributed to mental disorders, diagnosed as hypochondria, hysteria, psychogenic rheumatism.

The term fibromyalgia was coined in the 1970s. In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology first published diagnostic criteria for the disease. At the beginning of the 21st century, evidence was obtained that fibromyalgia is not accompanied by inflammatory changes in peripheral tissues, therefore, it is not a rheumatic pathology. Identification of violations of the central mechanisms of pain perception in patients finally secured the curation of the disease for specialists in the field of clinical neurology.

fibromyalgia

Causes of fibromyalgia

Recent studies have proven the hereditary nature of the pathology. The localization of the genetic defect has not yet been established. It is known that the probability of developing the disease in people whose relatives are diagnosed with fibromyalgia is 8 times higher than the average for the population. Studies of twins show that 50% of the risk of pathology is genetically determined, and 50% is associated with exposure to external factors that act as provoking triggers. The most likely etiological factors under the influence of which genetically determined fibromyalgia occurs are:

• Peripheral pain syndromes. Associated with damage to the peripheral nerve trunks as a result of trauma (nerve damage), compression (carpal tunnel syndrome), inflammation (neuritis, sciatic nerve neuropathy), dysmetabolic processes (diabetic neuropathy).
• Infectious diseases: borreliosis, herpetic infection, infectious mononucleosis, Q fever.
• Distress is mental stress accompanied by negative emotions. The negative perception of life events is due to the presence of suspiciousness in the patient, a tendency to catastrophize events, excessive alertness, and fixation on one’s own feelings. Similar character traits are observed in almost all patients.
• Physical injury (bruise, fracture, burns). Acts as a stress factor, associated with severe pain.
• Hormonal imbalance. Fibromyalgia is most commonly seen in hypothyroidism.
• Pharmaceuticals and vaccine administration. They negatively affect the neurotransmitter processes involved in the formation of pain perception.

Pathogenesis

Chronic pain syndrome, which accompanies fibromyalgia, is caused by central sensitization – constant hyperexcitation of sensitive neurons of the posterior horns of the spinal cord. Increased excitation is formed both under the influence of pain impulses coming from the periphery (injuries, peripheral syndromes), and as a result of neurometabolic changes against the background of distress, infection, hormonal disorders.

The leading role in pathogenesis belongs to serotonin- and noradrenergic neurotransmitter systems. It has been established that in patients the concentration of serotonin, L-tryptophan, norepinephrine in the blood is reduced, the level of 5-hydroxyindole, the basic metabolite of serotonin, is reduced in the cerebrospinal fluid. Since serotonin is considered to be responsible for good mood, the drop in its level explains the propensity of patients with fibromyalgia to depressive and anxiety states.

Fibromyalgia symptoms

The leading symptom complex of the disease is persistent diffuse pain throughout the body. Patients characterize the pain syndrome as “a feeling that it hurts everywhere”, “a constant feeling that you have a cold”, “burning all over the body”. Pain is accompanied by sensory phenomena: tingling, numbness, “goosebumps”, especially pronounced in the limbs. Sometimes fibromyalgia occurs with periodic arthralgia.

Increased fatigue is characteristic, most pronounced in the morning, less pronounced during the day and somewhat increasing in the evening. Even a slight increase in physical activity, as well as a prolonged lack of activity, can increase pain and fatigue. Sleep disturbances are represented by difficulties falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, lack of vigor after a sufficient period of sleep. A typical symptom is a feeling of weakness, fatigue after sleep. The feeling of lack of sleep is present even after a period of sleep lasting 9-10 hours, accompanied by morning stiffness in the body.

In 30-60% of cases, fibromyalgia is combined with mental disorders. The most typical generalized anxiety, depression. Many patients experience mild cognitive impairment: memory impairment, reduced ability to concentrate, inattention. Patients often describe them as a “fog in the head” that makes it difficult to concentrate.

The characteristic symptoms of fibromyalgia in most cases are combined with other problems: migraine-type headaches, restless legs syndrome, gastrointestinal dyskinesia, urinary disorders. Chronic pain, disturbed sleep negatively affect the patient’s ability to work, complicate his daily life, reduce its quality.

Diagnostics

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed mainly on the basis of clinical data after the exclusion of the organic genesis of pain. The comprehensive examination includes:

• Patient interview. Allows you to determine the main complaints, their nature, duration of the disease, concomitant pathology. As a diagnostic screening, the FiRST questionnaire is used, the sensitivity of which is at the level of 90.5%, the specificity is 85.7%. The questionnaire contains 6 items, a positive answer to 5 questions indicates the presence of fibromyalgia.
• Assessment of neurological status. The status is correct. Asthenization of the patient is noted, in the study of cognitive functions – difficulty concentrating.
• Trigger point research. 9 pairs of points are known, the pain of which is accompanied by fibromyalgia. Diagnostic palpation should be carried out with a certain uniform pressure force, combined with comparative palpation of other areas.
• Laboratory tests. The absence of inflammatory changes in the general blood test, an increase in markers of autoimmune pathology (C-reactive protein, RF, antinuclear antibodies, ASL-O) makes it possible to exclude the rheumatic nature of the disease. There is a decrease in the concentration of L-tryptophan, serotonin in the blood serum.
• Tomography. Computed tomography, MRI of the brain do not reveal morphological changes, exclude intracranial hypertension, cerebral tumors, slow infections of the central nervous system, degenerative processes.

Differential

Differential diagnosis is carried out with myositis, dermatomyositis, hypercalcemia, neurasthenia, hysterical neurosis, somatoform disorders, oncological processes. When making a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, doctors can focus on the following diagnostic criteria:

• Pain in the four quadrants of the body, present in the chest and/or spine, lasting at least 3 months.
• On palpation, pain occurs in 11 out of 18 trigger points.
• The presence of increased fatigue.
• Characteristic sleep disorders.
• Difficulty focusing when necessary.
• Morning stiffness.
• Depressive, anxious mood background.
• The impact of the disease on the quality of life.

Fibromyalgia treatment

The therapy is carried out by a neurologist or an algologist, it requires an integrated approach, a combination of several techniques. Among the methods of treatment used, there are non-drug and drug treatments.

Non-drug methods:

• Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy. Allows the patient to develop a positive outlook on life, reduce anxiety, raise the background of mood.
• Therapeutic exercise. It has been proven that moderate physical activity helps to reduce pain, regression of the symptoms of the disease for a period of up to a year or longer.
• Other methods: biofeedback therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, hypnotherapy. Showed moderate effectiveness in pain relief. Can be used as an addition to basic therapy.

Pharmacotherapy:

• Antidepressants. Effective against fibromyalgia and associated depression, improve sleep. Amitriptyline, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (venlafaxine, duloxetine) have proven efficacy.
• GABA anticonvulsants (pregabalin). Against the background of treatment, there is a significant decrease in pain symptoms, sleep is normalized, and the overall activity of the patient increases.
• Central analgesics (tramadol). Used to relieve acute pain. The analgesic effect of tramadol potentiates its use in conjunction with paracetamol. Side effects are pronounced (dizziness, weakness, nausea), a long course of treatment is addictive.
• Local anesthetics (lidocaine). Used as part of a course of treatment in the form of infusions. When locally injected into trigger points, they have a local and general analgesic effect.

Prognosis and prevention

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pathology. Regular complex treatment can reduce pain by 30-50%, normalize sleep, reduce anxiety and depression, improve the efficiency and quality of life of patients. The best prevention of the disease is a positive attitude towards life, a benevolent outlook on current events, caring for others, as opposed to an excessive focus on internal sensations. People who have developed such an attitude towards life are protected from the likelihood of disease, even if there is a genetic predisposition.

You can share your medical history, what helped you in the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Sources

1. self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.

   Fibromyalgia treatment in Moscow. Osteopath. Manual therapy. Clinic “East Clinic”. Fibromyalgia, treatment, drugs, methods, causes in adults and children.

   How to stop visiting doctors and pharmacies and get real help?

   • Expert level of specialists – doctors with more than 25 years of experience advise us.
   • Team opinion – doctors of several specialties cooperate with each other to achieve the best result.
   • The consultation lasts as long as necessary – to understand the situation in detail.

   Sign up for an initial appointment and find out:

   • What is the cause of your disease, the exact diagnosis and stage of the process.
   • What treatment suits you and what procedures are contraindicated.
   • What to do at home – exercise, nutrition and more.
   • And also immediately go through the first treatment procedure.

   Depending on the stage of the disease, we choose one or more treatments:

   Osteopathy

   Soft technique for working with the spine, joints, muscles, ligaments, internal organs. Eliminates pain, starts the process of self-healing.

   Therapeutic massage, osteopathy, manual therapy

   Helps bones and joints to take the correct physiological position, relieves pain and spasms, relaxes muscles.

   Acupuncture

   Work on biologically active points. It acts on the affected area and the body as a whole. Eliminates the cause of the disease and removes the symptoms.

   In addition, according to indications, taping, pharmacopuncture, FormTotics insoles, exercise therapy with an instructor and other methods are used. The choice of procedures depends on the current state, in combination they act faster and give a more stable result.

   Fibromyalgia symptoms and treatment

   Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain that occurs due to a genetic defect that provokes the development of the phenomenon of central sentization. It manifests itself in the form of diffuse pain in the area of ​​musculoskeletal structures, aggravated by a decrease in energy potential, insomnia and depressive disorders. It is detected by the presence of characteristic symptoms, after exclusion by laboratory or instrumental diagnostic methods, rheumatic or organic causes of pain. Therapy consists of a combination of non-drug and drug treatments.

   Symptoms of the disease, what it is, how to treat fibromyalgia, who helped.

   The basic symptom of fibromyalgia is a persistent pain syndrome that does not go away, accompanied by the appearance of sensory phenomena (loss of sensation, goosebumps). In particular, “phenomena” appear in the limbs. In some cases, the disease is complicated by periodic manifestations of arthralgia.
   In addition to the above symptoms, fibromyalgia is characterized by increased fatigue, especially pronounced in the morning.

   Symptoms characteristic of fibromyalgia may be combined with symptoms of other diseases (headaches that increase in intensity up to migraine; tonic muscle cramps; disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and urogenital area).

   Separately, extremely rare pain syndromes associated with damage to peripheral nerve tissues should be singled out. The development of this type of pain syndrome causes traumatic (open and closing injuries), inflammatory (tissue inflammation in neuritis, neuropathy and other diseases) and dysmetabolic (nervous system damage in diabetes) lesions of peripheral nerve endings.

   In addition, the development of fibromyalgia can provoke some infectious diseases, such as: borrelia, herpes, infectious mononucleosis and Q fever.

   Disease therapy, preparations. In adults and children. Reviews. What is this disease. Diagnostics. Causes, syndrome.

   Fibromyalgia treatment tactics include a symbiosis of drug and non-drug methods, the composition and ratio of which is determined by a neurologist or allologist.

   Drug therapy includes antidepressants or sedatives, local and complex pain medications, enzymes and multivitamin complexes.

   Non-pharmacological treatment includes:

   Cognitive-behavioral treatment – contributing to the development of a positive outlook on life in the patient, helps to reduce anxiety and improve the psycho-emotional background.