Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (you say it "fy-bro-my-al-ja") is a condition that causes long-lasting pain all over the body. Most people also have extreme tiredness (fatigue), sleep that does not refresh them, and trouble with memory and concentration, often called "fibro fog".

It is a long-term condition. There is no cure yet, but there are treatments and ways of managing it that can make a real difference to daily life.

Common symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person, and they can change from day to day. The main ones are:

• widespread pain, which may feel like an ache, a burning feeling or a sharp, stabbing pain
• being very sensitive to pain, so that a light touch or a small knock hurts much more than it should
• extreme tiredness that does not go away with rest
• stiffness, especially first thing in the morning
• poor sleep, waking up feeling as if you have not slept
• fibro fog, which means problems with memory, focus and finding the right words
• headaches and migraines
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with tummy pain and bloating

Many people also feel low or anxious. That is not surprising when you live with pain every day, and it is not a sign that the pain is "all in your head".

Read more about fibromyalgia symptoms and flares.

What causes fibromyalgia?

The exact cause is not yet known. Experts think it is linked to changes in the way the brain and nerves process pain signals, so that the body's "volume control" for pain is turned up too high.

It often starts after a stressful event, such as:

• an injury or an operation
• an infection or illness
• giving birth
• a very stressful time, such as a bereavement or the end of a relationship

It can also run in families. Sometimes there is no clear trigger at all.

Who gets fibromyalgia?

Anyone can get fibromyalgia, including children and teenagers. It is more common in women than in men. It usually starts between the ages of 25 and 55.

People who have other long-term conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or osteoarthritis, are more likely to have it too.

How it is diagnosed

There is no single test for fibromyalgia. A GP or a specialist will usually:

• ask about your symptoms and how long you have had them
• examine you
• arrange blood tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms

It can take a long time to get a diagnosis. Keeping a simple diary of your symptoms can help. Read our guide on getting diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Treatment and self-care

Treatment aims to ease your symptoms and help you do more of the things that matter to you. It usually works best as a mix of approaches, such as:

• gentle, regular exercise, built up slowly
• talking therapies, which can help you cope with pain and its effects
• some medicines, such as certain antidepressants, which can help with pain and sleep
• pacing, which means planning your activity so you avoid the "boom and bust" cycle

See our guide to fibromyalgia treatment and our tips for living well with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia and benefits

If fibromyalgia makes everyday tasks hard, you may be able to get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you are under State Pension age, or Attendance Allowance if you are over it. These benefits are not means-tested, so your income and savings do not matter, and you can get them whether or not you work.

What counts is how your condition affects you, especially on bad days, not the name of the condition. Read our guide to fibromyalgia and benefits.

When to see a GP

See a GP if you have pain in many parts of your body that has lasted for 3 months or more, especially if you also have extreme tiredness or poor sleep.