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Fibromyalgia

(Myofascial Pain Syndrome; Fibrositis; Fibromyositis)

By

Deepan S. Dalal

, MD, MPH, Brown University

Reviewed/Revised Apr 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
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Fibromyalgia is characterized by poor sleep, fatigue, mental cloudiness, and widespread aching and stiffness in soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

  • Poor sleep, stress, strains, injury, and possibly certain personality characteristics may increase the risk of fibromyalgia.

  • Pain is widespread, and certain parts of the body are tender to touch.

  • The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is based on established criteria and symptoms such as widespread pain and fatigue.

  • Improving sleep, taking pain relievers, exercising, applying heat, and getting massages may help.

Fibromyalgia used to be called fibrositis or fibromyositis syndrome. But because inflammation (indicated by the “itis” suffix) is not present, the suffix was dropped, and the name became fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is not an autoimmune disorder, but people who have fibromyalgia frequently also have chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disorders. Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome are not strictly synonymous, but they are similar in that they both are central pain syndromes. But myofascial pain syndrome involves mostly muscle pain, and fibromyalgia causes more widespread body pain as well as other symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is common. It is about 7 times more common among women. It usually occurs in young or middle-aged women but can also occur in men, children, and adolescents.

Fibromyalgia is not dangerous or life threatening. Nonetheless, persistent symptoms can be very disruptive.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

People with fibromyalgia seem to have a heightened sensitivity to pain. That is, areas in their brain that process pain interpret painful sensations as being more intense than seems to occur in people who do not have fibromyalgia. Usually, the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. However, certain conditions may contribute to developing the disorder. They include poor sleep, repetitive strains, or an injury. Mental stress may also contribute. However, the amount of stress may not be the problem. Rather it may be how people react to the stress.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Most people feel a general achiness, stiffness, and pain. Symptoms can occur throughout the body. Any soft tissue (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) may be affected. But soft tissue of the neck, upper shoulders, chest, rib cage, lower back, thighs, arms, and areas around certain joints are especially likely to be painful. Less often, the lower legs, hands, and feet are painful and stiff. Symptoms may occur periodically (in flare-ups) or most of the time (chronically).

Pain may be intense. It usually worsens with fatigue, straining, or after overuse. Specific areas of muscle are often tender when firm fingertip pressure is applied. These areas are called tender points. During flare-ups, muscles become tight, or spasms may occur.

Many affected people do not sleep well and feel anxious, and sometimes depressed or tense. Fatigue is common, as are mental problems such as difficulty concentrating and a general feeling of mental cloudiness. Many affected people are perfectionists, or have a type A personality. They may also have migraines Migraines A migraine headache is typically a pulsating or throbbing pain that ranges from moderate to severe. It can affect one or both sides of the head. It is often worsened by physical activity, light... read more or tension headaches Tension-Type Headaches A tension-type headache is usually mild to moderate pain that feels like a band tightening around the head. Stress, sleep disturbances, neck or jaw pain, or eye strain may trigger these headaches... read more , interstitial cystitis Interstitial Cystitis Interstitial cystitis is noninfectious bladder inflammation. Interstitial cystitis causes pain over the bladder, in the pelvis, or in the lower abdomen, and the frequent and urgent need to urinate... read more (a bladder condition that may include pain when urinating), and irritable bowel syndrome Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) (with some combination of constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and bloating). People may have pins-and-needles sensations, typically affecting both sides of the body.

The same conditions that may contribute to the development of fibromyalgia can make symptoms worse. They include emotional stress, poor sleep, injury, and fatigue. Fearing that symptoms represent a serious illness can also make symptoms worse. Having a doctor, family member, or friend imply that the disorder is “all in the head” can worsen symptoms as well. People may also feel frustrated because they are often told that they "look good" even though they are feeling unwell.

Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia

  • Established criteria

  • A doctor's examination and testing to rule out other disorders

Doctors suspect fibromyalgia in people who have the following:

  • Generalized pain and tenderness

  • Negative laboratory test results despite widespread symptoms

  • Fatigue as a main symptom

Doctors consider the diagnosis of fibromyalgia in people who have had widespread pain for at least 3 months, particularly when it is accompanied by various other physical symptoms such as fatigue. Pain is considered widespread when people have pain in the left and right side of the body, above and below the waist, and in the top of the spine, wall of the chest or middle of the spine, or low back.

In the past, doctors based the diagnosis in part on the presence of tenderness at some of 18 designated tender points. Now, however, the number of tender points is not considered as important as the presence of typical symptoms, especially widespread pain not limited to the joints.

Prognosis of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia tends to be chronic but may resolve on its own if stress decreases. Even with appropriate treatment, many people continue to have symptoms to some degree.

Treatment of Fibromyalgia

  • Stretching, heat therapy, and massage

  • Managing stress

  • Drugs to improve sleep

  • Drugs to relieve pain

People can feel better when treated appropriately. Usually, the most helpful approach includes the following:

Improving sleep

Improving sleep is essential. For example, people should avoid caffeine and other stimulants in the evening and sleep in a quiet, dark room with comfortable bedding. They should not eat or watch television in bed. (See also Sleep Hygiene Sleep hygiene The most commonly reported sleep-related problems are insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness. Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, waking up early, or a disturbance in... read more .)

Doctors may prescribe low doses of tricyclic antidepressants Antidepressants Pain relievers (analgesics) are the main drugs used to treat pain. Doctors choose a pain reliever based on the type and duration of pain and on the drug's likely benefits and risks. Most pain... read more . These drugs are taken by mouth 1 or 2 hours before bedtime and are used only to improve sleep rather than to relieve depression. They include trazodone, amitriptyline, and nortriptyline. Cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant, can also help people sleep to some degree. Like tricyclic antidepressants, cyclobenzaprine is taken only at bedtime. These drugs are usually safer than sedatives, most of which can be habit-forming. However, tricyclic antidepressants and cyclobenzaprine can have side effects, such as drowsiness and dry mouth, particularly in older people. Taking these drugs at other times can cause daytime drowsiness.

Relieving pain

Pregabalin (an antiseizure drug Antiseizure drugs Pain relievers (analgesics) are the main drugs used to treat pain. Doctors choose a pain reliever based on the type and duration of pain and on the drug's likely benefits and risks. Most pain... read more sometimes used to relieve pain), duloxetine, and milnacipran are sometimes used to treat fibromyalgia. These drugs may help somewhat when used as part of a treatment program that includes improving sleep, exercising, and managing stress.

Evidence also supports use of capsaicin Other drugs Pain relievers (analgesics) are the main drugs used to treat pain. Doctors choose a pain reliever based on the type and duration of pain and on the drug's likely benefits and risks. Most pain... read more , biofeedback Biofeedback Biofeedback, a type of mind-body medicine, is a method of bringing unconscious biologic processes under conscious control. In biofeedback, electronic devices are used to measure and report information... read more , massage Massage Therapy In massage therapy (a manipulative and body-based practice), body tissues are manipulated to reduce pain, relieve muscle tension, and reduce stress. Massage therapy involves a variety of light-touch... read more , hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy is a type of mind-body medicine. In hypnotherapy (hypnosis), people are guided into an advanced state of relaxation and heightened attention. Hypnotized people become absorbed in... read more , chiropractic interventions Chiropractic In chiropractic, a manipulative and body-based practice, the relationship between the structure of the spine and the function of the nervous system is seen as key to maintaining or restoring... read more , and other complementary and alternative therapies Types of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Complementary or alternative medicine can be classified into five major categories of practice: Whole medical systems Mind-body techniques Biologically based practices Manipulative and body-based... read more .

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Generic Name Select Brand Names
Cafcit, NoDoz, Stay Awake, Vivarin
Desyrel, Oleptro
Elavil, Tryptanol, Vanatrip
Aventyl, Pamelor
Amrix, Fexmid, Flexeril
7T Gummy ES, Acephen, Aceta, Actamin, Adult Pain Relief, Anacin Aspirin Free, Aphen, Apra, Children's Acetaminophen, Children's Pain & Fever , Children's Pain Relief, Comtrex Sore Throat Relief, ED-APAP, ElixSure Fever/Pain, Feverall, Genapap, Genebs, Goody's Back & Body Pain, Infantaire, Infants' Acetaminophen, LIQUID PAIN RELIEF, Little Fevers, Little Remedies Infant Fever + Pain Reliever, Mapap, Mapap Arthritis Pain, Mapap Infants, Mapap Junior, M-PAP, Nortemp, Ofirmev, Pain & Fever , Pain and Fever , PAIN RELIEF , PAIN RELIEF Extra Strength, Panadol, PediaCare Children's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever, PediaCare Children's Smooth Metls Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever, PediaCare Infant's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever, Pediaphen, PHARBETOL, Plus PHARMA, Q-Pap, Q-Pap Extra Strength, Silapap, Triaminic Fever Reducer and Pain Reliever, Triaminic Infant Fever Reducer and Pain Reliever, Tylenol, Tylenol 8 Hour, Tylenol 8 Hour Arthritis Pain, Tylenol 8 Hour Muscle Aches & Pain, Tylenol Arthritis Pain, Tylenol Children's, Tylenol Children's Pain+Fever, Tylenol CrushableTablet, Tylenol Extra Strength, Tylenol Infants', Tylenol Infants Pain + Fever, Tylenol Junior Strength, Tylenol Pain + Fever, Tylenol Regular Strength, Tylenol Sore Throat, XS No Aspirin, XS Pain Reliever
Lyrica, Lyrica CR
Cymbalta, Drizalma, Irenka
Savella
7T Lido, Akten , ALOCANE, ANASTIA, AneCream, Anestacon, Aspercreme with Lidocaine, AsperFlex, Astero , BenGay, Blue Tube, Blue-Emu, CidalEaze, DermacinRx Lidocan III, DermacinRx Lidogel, DermacinRx Lidorex, DERMALID, Ela-Max, GEN7T, Glydo, Gold Bond, LidaFlex, LidaMantle, Lidocan, Lidocare, Lidoderm, LidoDose, LidoDose Pediatric, Lidofore, LidoHeal-90, LIDO-K , LidoLite, Lidomar , Lidomark, LidoPure, LidoReal-30, LidoRx, Lidosense 4 , Lidosense 5, Lidosol, Lidosol-50, LIDO-SORB, Lidotral, Lidovix L, LIDOZION, Lidozo, LMX 4, LMX 4 with Tegaderm, LMX 5, LTA, Lydexa, Moxicaine, Numbonex, ReadySharp Lidocaine, RectaSmoothe, RectiCare, Salonpas Lidocaine, Senatec, Solarcaine, SUN BURNT PLUS, Tranzarel, Xyliderm, Xylocaine, Xylocaine Dental, Xylocaine in Dextrose, Xylocaine MPF, Xylocaine Topical, Xylocaine Topical Jelly, Xylocaine Topical Solution, Xylocaine Viscous, Zilactin-L, Zingo, Zionodi, ZTlido
Arthricare for Women, Arthritis Pain Relieving, Capsimide, Capzasin-HP, Capzasin-P, Castiva Warming, Circatrix, DermacinRx Circata, DermacinRx Penetral, DiabetAid, Qutenza, Zostrix, Zostrix HP, Zostrix Neuropathy
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