Living with the persistent, body-wide pain of fibromyalgia can feel isolating. You might be asking yourself, “What happens to my body if I have fibromyalgia?” This article explores the many ways fibromyalgia can affect you, from the easily visible to the subtle changes. We’ll cover symptoms, potential causes, and ways to find support so you can approach the question of “What happens to my body if I have fibromyalgia?” with an informed mind.
Table of Contents:
- Understanding Fibromyalgia
- What Happens To My Body If I Have Fibromyalgia: Symptoms and Effects
- Exploring the Potential Causes
- Living with Fibromyalgia: Day-to-Day Impacts
- Finding Relief and Support
- FAQs about What Happens to My Body if I Have Fibromyalgia
- Conclusion
Understanding Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain. It’s often accompanied by fatigue, sleep disorders, and cognitive difficulties, sometimes called “fibro fog.”
While it shares characteristics with other health conditions, fibromyalgia symptoms tend to fluctuate in intensity. Its actual effects remain subjective and often differ by individual. People assigned female are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
What Happens To My Body If I Have Fibromyalgia: Symptoms and Effects
The hallmark of fibromyalgia is widespread muscle pain. This isn’t a localized ache; it’s felt throughout your body, though certain areas like your back or neck may be worse. This pain can be continuous, fluctuating between a dull ache, a burning sensation, or sharp, stabbing pain. Some family members with the condition even experience jaw pain.
This widespread pain often makes even the lightest touch excruciating, a phenomenon known as allodynia. A minor injury, like stubbing your toe, can cause lingering pain for a long time.
Heightened sensitivity isn’t just about physical touch. You might become more sensitive to things like certain foods, smoke, or bright lights. People develop fibromyalgia with varying degrees of symptom intensity.
Stiffness, particularly after periods of inactivity (such as when you first wake up), is a regular complaint. Fatigue ranging from mild tiredness to overwhelming exhaustion (similar to having the flu) can hit suddenly, draining you of energy.
Sleep disturbances are common with fibromyalgia, leaving you perpetually tired despite seemingly getting enough rest. This occurs because the condition often disrupts the ability to achieve good sleep. If sleep problems continue to plague your daily routine, you may need help managing them.
Cognitive difficulties (“fibro fog”) add another layer to daily struggles. These issues include trouble concentrating, memory problems, difficulty with new learning, and slower-than-normal speech. “Fibro fog” impacts many areas of your cognitive function.
Fibromyalgia doesn’t just affect your physical health; its ripple effects can be emotional. It’s linked to depression and anxiety, further burdening daily life. Managing stress is important for reducing the emotional symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Exploring the Potential Causes
While scientists are still researching the exact triggers for fibromyalgia, several factors likely play a role. Some researchers believe genetic mutations may make certain people more susceptible to fibromyalgia. Other researchers point to physical or emotional trauma as potential triggers.
Infections might trigger or exacerbate fibromyalgia, though none have been conclusively identified. The impact of post-traumatic stress, such as stress after having Coronavirus, could play a role. This possibility requires more research to fully understand.
Fibromyalgia is also associated with other conditions like lupus, affecting around 30 percent of lupus patients. Fibromyalgia’s true nature is complex, as demonstrated in newer research on its relation to immune health. For instance, autoantibodies in some patients indicate immune system involvement, but whether fibromyalgia is autoimmune requires further investigation.
Living with Fibromyalgia: Day-to-Day Impacts
Fibromyalgia significantly impacts quality of life, affecting relationships, careers, and overall well-being. A 2018 survey reveals the condition’s notable effect on people’s working lives. Many with fibromyalgia report how it alters their ability to work.
Lifestyle changes — such as incorporating regular exercise like running and nutritional adjustments like reducing your sugar intake (see its effects on the body) — may improve symptoms. People develop varying strategies to navigate fibromyalgia.
Finding Relief and Support
If you suspect you have fibromyalgia, see your healthcare provider for diagnosis and fibromyalgia treatment. They may diagnose you with fibromyalgia if you’ve experienced widespread pain for three months or more across at least four of five specific body regions.
While there’s no cure for fibromyalgia, managing it is possible. Your treatment plan may include exercise, like daily running a mile, and healthy eating, like incorporating more watermelon into your diet. Relaxation techniques like yoga and Tai Chi may also relieve fibromyalgia symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and support from mental health professionals are beneficial in learning to manage fibromyalgia.
Healthcare professionals often recommend an integrated approach. This combines medications with practices like exercise, good sleep, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Medications such as Cymbalta, Lyrica, and Savella are approved to treat fibromyalgia. Always consult your healthcare provider about medications.
FAQs about What Happens to My Body if I Have Fibromyalgia
How does fibromyalgia affect you physically?
Fibromyalgia’s primary physical effect is widespread pain, often a constant dull ache. It can also cause stiffness, fatigue, and tender points. It often has varying impacts, similar to what happens within during a heart attack or when quitting smoking.
What is the number one trigger for fibromyalgia?
There isn’t one single, universally-known trigger. Physical trauma (like a car accident), emotional stress, infections, or problems with the thyroid gland may worsen symptoms or cause a fibromyalgia flare. Sometimes, fibromyalgia develops without any apparent trigger. People assigned female are much more likely to be diagnosed than men.
What organs are affected by fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia primarily affects how your nervous system processes pain signals. This causes the brain to receive and interpret these signals as amplified sensations. While not an organ, the central nervous system’s misinterpretation of pain is central to the condition. Although the exact mechanisms are unclear, alterations in how you receive pain signals may be related to issues like irritable bowel syndrome, often seen in individuals with fibromyalgia.
What does a severe fibromyalgia flare-up feel like?
A severe flare-up can be exhausting. Pain intensifies, often body-wide. Deep fatigue, sleep difficulties, and “fibro fog” make concentration challenging. Symptom intensity and frequency vary by person. Stress and other life changes, such as inheriting a house with a mortgage, can exacerbate symptoms. It’s important to seek the support of a healthcare provider or an occupational therapist and a physical therapist during difficult times.
Conclusion
So, what happens to your body with fibromyalgia? It involves navigating many symptoms, from chronic pain and fatigue to cognitive and emotional challenges. Building a supportive community is crucial. It raises awareness and promotes understanding of the true science, including causes, fibromyalgia treatment, and lived experiences.
By providing medical guidance based on evidence and emotional support, we can better inform both patients and healthcare professionals. This support empowers informed healthcare decisions, improved care, and a deeper understanding of what individuals with fibromyalgia experience daily.
