Types of fibromyalgia pain include:
HyperalgesiaWidespread muscle pain and fatigueTemporomandibular joint pain (TMJ)AllodyniaNeuropathic painHeadachesAbdominal and pelvic pain
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) has been a recognized illness for more than 30 years. Still, many people with this condition have been told their symptoms are only in their heads because attacks can come and go, and the pain can move around the body.
There is also no specific test to confirm fibromyalgia. Since pain differs from person to person, it can be difficult for doctors to diagnose FMS.
This review will help you learn more about your FMS pain and ways to ease it. Or it can help you better understand what people with fibromyalgia experience and how to help and support them.
Symptoms
About 2% of US adults have fibromyalgia.The disease itself isn’t deadly, but it is associated with an increased risk of suicide. Studies show between 27% and 58% of people with fibromyalgia report having feelings of hopelessness, depression, and thoughts of suicide.
Researchers say this is because it’s hard to live with pain. FMS patients tend to be exhausted and have emotional and mental health issues. Many people also don’t understand their condition. Doctors don’t know what causes fibromyalgia, and there’s no cure.
Other symptoms common among people with FMS include:
Sleep difficultiesExhaustionDepressionAnxietyBrain fogMemory issuesConcentration problemsHeadachesTingling or numbness in hands and feetPain in the face or jawAbdominal painBloatingConstipation
By far, though, the most common symptom is throbbing pain. Researchers have linked seven distinct types of pain to FMS. How many of these a person has and the severity varies widely.
Hyperalgesia
Hyperalgesia is the medical term for the increased sense of pain you feel due to fibromyalgia. Scientists don’t fully understand this condition. They believe the brains of people with fibromyalgia are more sensitive to pain signals.
In a study published in Clinical Neurophysiology, researchers inserted needles attached to monitors into the upper arm muscles of 21 women with fibromyalgia.They recorded the electrical activity when they pressed down on the women’s muscles with different amounts of force. Then they compared the results to 21 healthy women and 25 women with chronic fatigue syndrome, which causes extreme tiredness.
The researchers reported that the tissues surrounding the muscles in women with fibromyalgia overreacted to the lightest touch. Muscle activity was the same in all three groups. The researchers believe that the nervous systems of the women with FMS were sending signals that caused the tissues to remain on high alert.
Widespread Muscle Pain
If you feel like you always have the flu or “hurt all over,” you’re not alone. Widespread muscle pain is a hallmark of fibromyalgia. Many people with fibromyalgia also tend to have:
Low back pain, which may spread into the buttocks and legsPain and tightness in the neck that moves across the back of the shouldersPain between the shoulder bladesPain in the breastbone and rib cage that feels like a heart attack
In addition to medication, many doctors also prescribe physical therapy and massage to help ease the pain. Any movement can be difficult when you’re in pain, but doctors recommend 30 minutes a day of light exercise.
Exercises like yoga, walking, or swimming help you loosen your muscles and joints and maintain your flexibility. One study found that exercising in a pool with warm water for just two weeks decreased pain by 15% in women with fibromyalgia.
TMJ Pain
One of the most common joint problems in people with FMS is pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This connects your jaw to your skull on either side of your face. TMJ pain is often described as a dull, persistent ache that affects the ear, temple, eyes, lower jaw, or neck. Dentists usually diagnose TMJ.
Some FMS treatments are antidepressants. These drugs can make you clench or grind your teeth when you sleep. This worsens TMJ pain and can damage your teeth.
Your dentist might suggest wearing a mouth guard. You can buy “boil and bite” ones in pharmacies and sporting goods stores. Dentists can make custom-fit ones, but they cost more.
For TMJ pain, try taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aleve (naproxen) or Advil (ibuprofen). If your pain persists, ask about a muscle relaxant or an FDA-approved FMS pain drug.
Allodynia
Allodynia is a kind of skin pain where even the lightest touch can hurt. Mild clothing pressure from a waistband or bra strap can feel painful. Researchers believe central sensitization causes allodynia. This means the brain, nerves, and spinal cord overreact to sensations.
Specialized nerves called nociceptors sense information through the skin about things like temperature. They cause you to react immediately. That’s why you jerk your hand away when you touch something hot.
When these nerves become overly sensitized, your body interprets sensations as pain. Many people with FMS describe allodynia as their skin constantly feeling like it’s badly sunburned. The prescription drug Lyrica (pregabalin) can help treat allodynia.
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain causes odd feelings of crawling, tingling, burning, itching, or numbness in the arms and legs. In severe cases, these sensations can be painful. Still, patients have typical reflexes and strength.
Prescription fibromyalgia treatments can help ease neuropathic pain. Some people with FMS find that over-the-counter capsaicin cream can help numb the pain. This is a painkiller made from peppers. Skin rubs with lidocaine, like Ben Gay, can also be helpful.
Two review studies suggest taking vitamin B1, B6, and B12 supplements might help ease neuropathic pain. However, the studies didn’t look specifically at neuropathic pain caused by fibromyalgia. Dosages also varied widely in the studies.
Headaches
FMS can cause headaches. A study in the Journal of Headache Pain found that over one-third of people with tension headaches and nearly a quarter of people with migraines also have fibromyalgia.
Tension headaches cause a dull, tightening pressure sensation all around the head. While uncomfortable and nagging, they are not disabling. Migraines are more painful. They often occur on one side of the head and may be associated with light and sound sensitivity.
Abdominal and Pelvic Pain
Nearly half of people with fibromyalgia are also diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This is a digestive disorder that causes cramping, belly pain, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea.
Acid reflux is another digestive disorder common among people with fibromyalgia. This occurs when stomach acid flows back up the tube connecting your stomach and mouth. Researchers in Taiwan found that people with fibromyalgia are about one and a half times more likely to have acid reflux.
Besides abdominal pain, women with fibromyalgia may have pelvic pain due to bladder pain. This can cause an increased urge to pee or frequent peeing.
Summary
Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness that causes pain in the body’s muscles, skin, and joints. Researchers believe that the nervous systems of people with fibromyalgia are overly sensitive to pain.
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The FDA has approved three medications to treat fibromyalgia pain. Exercise helps patients loosen their muscles and joints and maintain flexibility. Other lifestyle choices such as reducing stress and getting enough sleep can also help prevent pain.
It’s hard to live with fibromyalgia, especially since painful attacks can be unpredictable. Finding the right set of treatments takes time and experimentation. With dedication and practice, many do find relief.
