7 Fibromyalgia-Related Conditions

About 4 million adults in the United States have fibromyalgia, and they’re also likely to have these conditions.

Fibromyalgia is a complex disorder characterized by persistent and widespread musculoskeletal pain, accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, disrupted sleep patterns, and emotional distress. Individuals afflicted by fibromyalgia often exhibit heightened pain sensitivity compared to the general population.

Approximately four million adults, constituting nearly 2% of the adult population in the United States, grapple with fibromyalgia’s challenging symptoms. Despite its prevalence, the precise etiology of fibromyalgia remains elusive. Nonetheless, individuals diagnosed with this condition have the capacity to effectively address and mitigate its manifestations.

While fibromyalgia is not categorized as an autoimmune disease, its symptomatology bears semblance to certain autoimmune disorders, particularly in terms of fatigue and pain. Furthermore, the diverse array of symptoms associated with fibromyalgia renders individuals susceptible to concurrent health issues.

Outlined below are seven frequently observed coexisting health conditions that tend to accompany fibromyalgia.

Chronic Migraine

Brain Chemicals Causing Migraines

There exists a significant correlation between fibromyalgia and migraines. Interestingly, individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia have an increased propensity to experience chronic migraines as they progress in age. This relationship was substantiated by a study unveiled in 2019 within the BMJ Open, highlighting the bidirectional nature of the connection between these two conditions.

Treatments for Migraines

The association between fibromyalgia and chronic migraines is believed to stem from alterations in the biochemical signaling within the bodies of individuals afflicted by fibromyalgia. Dr. Robert Duarte, a reputable board-certified neurologist with expertise in pain and headache medicine, expounded on this notion. He affirmed that an underlying disruption in the balance of brain neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine plays a contributory role in instigating both headache-related issues and fibromyalgia.

Autoimmune Diseases

Antidepressants designed to modulate these specific brain chemicals have shown promise in alleviating the discomfort associated with migraines. Additionally, tension headaches might exhibit a positive response to biofeedback therapy. Biofeedback entails a therapeutic approach where individuals acquire the skills to exert influence over involuntary physiological functions, such as heart rate, fostering a potential avenue for managing tension-induced headaches.

Sleep Problems

Fibromyalgia often exhibits co-occurrence with inflammatory autoimmune disorders. These autoimmune conditions encompass:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Lupus
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• Ankylosing spondylitis

Research has hinted at a potential correlation between inflammatory autoimmune diseases like RA and an elevated susceptibility to fibromyalgia. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that fibromyalgia itself is distinct from inflammatory autoimmune diseases. The predominant etiological factor behind fibromyalgia lies in anomalies pertaining to the central nervous system’s pain processing mechanisms, rather than inflammation-driven autoimmune processes, as underscored by scientific investigations.

Restless Leg Syndrome

Sleep disturbances, including insomnia, are prevalent within the fibromyalgia population, as noted by Lesley Arnold, MD, a psychiatrist affiliated with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.

Research highlights a significant correlation between fibromyalgia and sleep issues, with indications pointing towards an astonishing 90% of individuals diagnosed with fibromyalgia grappling with sleep-related challenges. The presence of painful symptoms significantly disrupts the overall quality of sleep, encompassing factors like duration and effectiveness. This compromised sleep quality contributes to daytime drowsiness, thereby exerting adverse repercussions on the individual’s overall quality of life.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an intense compulsion to move one’s legs during periods of rest, leading to disruptions in sleep patterns. An investigation documented in the Turkish Journal of Neurology in 2016 revealed a noteworthy correlation between RLS and fibromyalgia. Among individuals experiencing moderate to severe RLS symptoms, the prevalence of fibromyalgia was approximately 37%.

Remarkably, treatments devised for fibromyalgia have demonstrated efficacy in addressing RLS symptoms, potentially culminating in an enhancement of sleep quality. This therapeutic overlap between fibromyalgia and RLS holds the potential to ameliorate sleep-related issues.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by abdominal cramping and alternating patterns of constipation, diarrhea, or a combination of both. Similar to the connections observed with fibromyalgia and migraines, the association between fibromyalgia and IBS appears to exhibit bidirectional implications.

A study featured in the journal Medicine in 2017 established a significant connection between fibromyalgia and IBS. Researchers identified a 1.54-fold escalated risk for developing IBS among individuals with fibromyalgia, even after accounting for factors like age, gender, and concurrent health conditions. This underscores the interrelated nature of these conditions and their potential to influence each other.

Pelvic Pain

Fibromyalgia presents as a potential contributor to the realm of chronic pelvic pain rooted in musculoskeletal origins. Scholarly investigations have substantiated a discernible and affirmative link connecting fibromyalgia with pelvic pain. Notably, a study showcased in Pain Management Nursing in 2015 underscored the connection, highlighting that women grappling with severe fibromyalgia simultaneously experienced pronounced pelvic pain.

Furthermore, individuals afflicted by fibromyalgia are more inclined to report additional symptoms encompassing bladder irritability and menstrual cramps. Intriguingly, certain medications that are effective in mitigating fibromyalgia-related symptoms have shown potential in alleviating these associated discomforts as well. This therapeutic overlap holds the promise of addressing a spectrum of symptoms commonly experienced by those with fibromyalgia.

Depression and Anxiety

A significant majority of individuals affected by fibromyalgia encounter mental and emotional challenges, including but not limited to depression and anxiety, at various points throughout their lives.

To illustrate, a study featured in Neuropsychopharmacology Reports in 2018 unveiled compelling data indicating that nearly 97% of the subjects with fibromyalgia were concurrently dealing with coexisting mental health conditions.

Dr. Arnold expounded on this connection, highlighting that fibromyalgia and mental health disorders might share fundamental underlying factors. She emphasized that a deficiency in neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine, crucially implicated in both pain perception and mood regulation, underscores this interrelation. Consequently, numerous medications utilized for treating fibromyalgia demonstrate dual utility as antidepressants, exemplifying the intricacies of addressing these intertwined conditions.

Obesity

“The intricate interplay between obesity and fibromyalgia demands our attention,” stressed Dr. Arnold.

Chronic pain often leads individuals with fibromyalgia towards sedentary lifestyles. This reduced physical activity can predispose them to potential weight gain or obesity. Moreover, excess weight can exacerbate the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Dr. Arnold elucidated, “Carrying excess weight places heightened mechanical strain on joints, intensifying pain and worsening fibromyalgia symptoms.”

Yet, investigations have unveiled the potential benefits of exercise in assuaging fibromyalgia-related discomfort. A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2020 elucidated that women afflicted by fibromyalgia who engaged in low-intensity physical activities reported reduced levels of pain, fatigue, and anxiety. This underscores the positive impact that controlled exercise regimens can confer upon individuals contending with fibromyalgia.

A Quick Review

Fibromyalgia stands as a distressing ailment characterized by its hallmark symptoms of pain, sleep disruptions, fatigue, and emotional turmoil. Those grappling with fibromyalgia often confront the possibility of coexisting chronic conditions as well.

In cases where the burden of symptoms extends beyond fibromyalgia, it is prudent to engage in a dialogue with a healthcare professional. Openly discussing the array of symptoms with a healthcare provider can pave the way for a comprehensive understanding and tailored management approach to address the multifaceted challenges at hand.