Fibromyalgia

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic rheumatic condition that causes body-wide muscle pain, joint pain, and tenderness to touch. Patients with fibromyalgia also experience:

• Severe fatigue that doesn’t get better with sleep
• Sensitivity to lights, sounds, and temperature
• Tingling or burning sensations in their arms and legs
• Difficulty concentrating (brain fog)
• Headaches
• Memory loss
• Depression
• Anxiety

Fibromyalgia symptoms often flare up in response to triggers like stress, weather changes, and changes in your diet. During a flare, you may have such severe pain and fatigue that you can’t go to work or engage in any activity.

What causes fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia causes extensive muscle pain, yet the condition doesn’t arise from muscle disease, inflammation, or autoimmune disorders. It develops due to changes in your nerves, making them overly sensitive and hyperactive. As a result, they pick up on the slightest stimulation and interpret it as extreme pain.

How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?

Dr. Rehman diagnoses fibromyalgia by reviewing your medical history and symptoms and performing a physical exam. There currently aren’t any lab or imaging tests for diagnosing the condition. However, Dr. Rehman may run diagnostics to rule out other conditions that may cause your symptoms.

How is fibromyalgia treated?

Treatment for fibromyalgia primarily centers on easing your symptoms with medications, physical therapy, and exercise. The medications prescribed by Dr. Rehman include pain relievers, antiepileptic drugs, and antidepressants, which can ease pain and relieve fatigue even if you’re not depressed.

Several treatments are available to ease specific symptoms. For example, people with fibromyalgia often develop painful muscle knots called trigger points. A trigger point injection containing a local anesthetic and/or steroids quickly relaxes the muscle and relieves the pain.

Dr. Rehman also focuses on helping you achieve restful, restorative sleep. Most patients with fibromyalgia wake frequently during the night, a problem that contributes to fatigue and brain fog. Poor quality sleep also increases your risk of other chronic diseases, from Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease to obesity.

Several therapies may improve your sleep. Dr. Rehman may recommend lifestyle and environmental changes that promote sleep, such as not eating close to bedtime, turning off electronics, and getting regular exercise. Some medications used for other fibromyalgia symptoms often improve your sleep.

You can live a vital life with expert care to manage fibromyalgia. Connect with the Rheumatology Clinic of Houston by calling or booking online today.