Frequently Asked Questions About Fibromyalgia
Does having fibromyalgia increase my risk of other diseases?
There is no evidence that fibromyalgia per se increases your risk of any disease; however, if pain and fatigue associated with fibromyalgia keep you from being physically active or eating well, that can leave you vulnerable to health problems associated with a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet.
Also, people with fibromyalgia have a tendency to have these problems:
* temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
* headaches
* menstrual cramps
* bladder irritability and spasms resulting in a frequent urge to urinate
* irritable bowel syndrome, a condition marked by abdominal pain and bloating accompanied by alternating constipation and diarrhea.
About 10 percent of fibromyalgia also have restless legs syndrome, which cause their legs to jump with spasms during sleep.
Although having fibromyalgia does not increase your risk of developing other diseases, people with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are at increased risk of developing fibromyalgia. The exact reason is not known.
Does fibromyalgia cause muscle damage?
No. Although your muscles may be painful with fibromyalgia, there is no evidence of inflammation or damage occurring in muscles or internal organs.
What can I do on my own to help fibromyalgia?
There are many things you can do on your own to help control your fibromyalgia, including the following.
* Learn all you can about the condition. Take classes. Attend support groups to learn how others cope. Or enroll in an Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Course.
* Eat a balanced diet, focusing on healthy grains, fruits and vegetables, while minimizing, salt, sugar and saturated fat. (Visit Arthritis Today's Nutrition Section)
* Get regular moderate exercise to stretch muscle and improve cardiovascular fitness. Practice proper posture when sitting, standing, lying down and lifting. (Visit Arthritis Today's Fitness Section.)
* Get enough sleep. (See Tips to Improve Your Sleep.)
* Don’t smoke. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all
* Control your weight to minimize the load your painful muscle to have to bear. (Visit Arthritis Today's Weight Loss Guide.)
* Practice energy-saving techniques (below).
* Practice relaxation techniques to reduce stress. Find time to do things you enjoy. Learn to laugh again.
Energy-Saving Techniques
Reducing fatigue and placing less stress on tired muscles may also help control pain. The following lifestyle tips can help:
* Combine errands and chores to get more done with less effort.
* Plan simple meals that require little preparation. Reheat leftovers on plates in the microwave (no pots and pans to wash). On days you can spare the time and energy, cook extra portions to freeze.
* Keep shopping short and simple. Is it really worth driving to the discount store across town to save 50 cents on light bulbs?
* Sit when you work. If that’s not possible, take short rest breaks.
* Whenever possible, transport items on a cart to avoid carrying them.
* Use assistive devices to reduce stress on your tired muscles. You can find a wide assortment in most medical supply stores and on the Web.
You can find practical advice on adapting activities when you have chronic pain or fatigue in The Arthritis Foundation book Good Living With Fibromyalgia
What kind of research is being done on fibromyalgia?
After years of receiving little attention, fibromyalgia has in recent years become the focus of intense research efforts. The goal is to improve the understanding of fibromyalgia, its causes and the problems that often accompany it in order to find better treatments and methods for prevention.
Some specific areas of this research include:
The family relationship. Because fibromyalgia sometimes “runs in families,” researchers are trying to determine whether a gene or genes predispose people to the condition. Several studies have found a possible link between genetic markers called human leukocyte antigens, or HLAs, and fibromyalgia. Although researchers are cautious about interpreting the findings, they suggest the possible existence of a predisposing gene.
One group of researchers is trying to determine if fibromyalgia is more common in people with other conditions, such as serious mood disorders, that tend to run in families. They are exploring whether clusters of conditions exist in families, which might shed light on shared common risk factors or disease processes.
The benefits of exercise. Exercise has been found to be one of the most effective treatments for fibromyalgia symptoms. Continuing research is looking at the optimal exercise regimens for people with fibromyalgia and the role of exercise in combination with other treatments. One 2007 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that an exercise program incorporating walking, strength training and stretching may improve daily function and alleviate symptoms in women with fibromyalgia. The benefits appear to be even greater when exercise is combined with education about managing the disease.
The role of trauma and abuse. Researchers have explored a possible link between fibromyalgia and physical, emotional and sexual abuse. A number of studies indicate that those with fibromyalgia have a higher rate of childhood trauma than those who do not. Research into this possible connection – and how traumatic incidents affect the body’s pain response – is continuing.
The cause of pain. Pain is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia. Much of the research into the condition is focusing on understanding why people with fibromyalgia have a heightened sensitivity to pain. Research is also beginning to lead to an understanding of why traditional pain-relievers often aren’t effective for the pain of fibromyalgia. For example, new research out of the University of Michigan shows that the brains of people with fibromyalgia have fewer receptors for opioid medications. Fewer opioid receptors in the brain mean fewer places for the medicine to bind to and, therefore, less opportunity for it to ease pain. (See Which Drugs Might Help.)
Effective medications. In 2007, the anti-seizure medication pregablin (Lyrica) became the first medication approved for fibromyalgia. Several other medications, including antidepressants and a medication used to relieve nausea in chemotherapy patients, are currently being studied in fibromyalgia patients. One antidepressant, duloxetine (Cymbalta) is now up for FDA approval for use in people with fibromyalgia.
For more information on medications for fibromyalgia, see Arthritis Today's Drug Guide.
