What is it about ?
Fibromyalgia is not a disease in the strict sense but rather a combination of symptoms and complaints, with pain and fatigue being the most noticeable features. People with fibromyalgia suffer from a disruption of the pain mechanisms, which makes them more sensitive to pain. Their pain threshold is lower, which means they feel pain much faster than others. Just touching them normally can already trigger pain.
How to recognize it?
People with fibromyalgia experience persistent pain all over the body. Other typical complaints are fatigue and a feeling of not being rested upon waking up. They often suffer from irritable bowel, heart problems, gynecological problems and have to urinate more frequently.
People with fibromyalgia complain of headaches, a feeling of tightness, numbness or tingling in the body. They have a harder time concentrating, have difficulty learning new things, and may experience anxiety or depression.
They often have a feeling of swelling in the body. In about half of cases, fibromyalgia is accompanied by joint hypermobility syndrome. People with fibromyalgia blush easily and suffer from cold hands and feet.
Symptoms can worsen with changing weather conditions and times of stress.
How is the diagnosis made?
A number of physical and psychological symptoms are typical of fibromyalgia and help the doctor diagnose the condition, such as unresponsive sleep, fatigue throughout the day, and general pain to the touch.
It will distinguish it from other conditions that can cause painful symptoms or long-lasting fatigue, such as rheumatic disease, impaired functioning of the thyroid gland, or symptoms unique to menopause.
What can you do ?
Exercise reduces complaints. The improvement in muscle strength and endurance allows you to participate in normal daily activities in better conditions. The ideal is to practice walking, cycling and strength training. Swimming is also recommended, except with pronounced complaints in the neck and shoulder area. Sleep problems can be improved by avoiding coffee, alcohol, noise, and stress. Negative thoughts, such as pain-related fears and beliefs and worst-case scenario ideas, should be actively avoided.
What can your doctor do?
A good relationship between doctor and patient is essential, within the framework of a multifactorial approach, that is to say an approach which takes into account biological, psychological and social factors. The doctor will ensure that the person with fibromyalgia is not exposed to a multiplication of examinations. Through cognitive behavioral therapy, she can learn to distract from pain and see the positive side of things.
Some antidepressants can also have an effect on the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia. This effect is not felt until after two weeks, which is faster than with depression. Sometimes an epilepsy medication is also effective in fibromyalgia.
The doctor will draw up a personal treatment plan. Both physical and mental symptoms will be taken care of. There are centers specializing in the management of fibromyalgia where you can benefit from professional support for functional rehabilitation.
Want to know more?
- Fibromyalgia: painful and mysterious – mongeneraliste.be – SSMG – Scientific Society of General Medicine
- Fibromyalgia: specific aids – AVIQ – Agence pour une Vie de Qualité
Are you looking for more specialized help?
- Find a therapist – AEMTC – Association for the Study, Modification and Therapy of Behavior
- The LUSS – A federation of associations of patients and relatives
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