If you’re one of the four million American adults with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), you understand how the widespread symptoms can feel like they’re taking control of your entire body — and your life.
The good news is that by understanding how the syndrome affects you, you can take steps to manage your symptoms. At Raleigh Spine and Pain Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, interventional pain management physician Daljit S. Buttar, MD, specializes in diagnosing and treating this painful condition.
In this blog, Dr. Buttar takes a closer look at how FMS affects the body and how he and his team can help you get relief.
The most common sign of FMS is widespread body pain. This means pain and discomfort that can range from your head to your feet. Researchers believe the pain is caused by damage in the central nervous system, which causes pain signals to be amplified.
The pain can be constant, or it can come and go. Some people experience a widespread ache or pain all over the body, while others get intermittent pain, numbness, or aching in different areas of the body, especially the:
Fibromyalgia pain occurs on both sides of the body, which is something Dr. Buttar looks for when making a diagnosis. Fibromyalgia can also trigger headaches and migraine pain as well as fatigue.
People with FMS often describe having cognitive issues, such as trouble concentrating, difficulty focusing, anxiety, depression, and more. The most common is “fibro fog,” which is characterized by:
The good news is that studies show that getting more sleep and exercising regularly can help ease fibro fog.
Researchers are still investigating how the relationship works, but about 70% of people with fibromyalgia have symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). What’s more? About 60% of people diagnosed with IBS also have fibromyalgia.
The gastrointestinal symptoms to watch for include:
These symptoms can also be triggered or exacerbated by stress.
You can develop dry eyes for different reasons, from the weather to allergies to too much screen time. However, researchers find that people with fibromyalgia often get dry eye syndrome and irritation more often than people who don’t have FMS.
Effective treatment for fibromyalgia begins with an accurate diagnosis. Unfortunately, fibromyalgia is often overlooked or misdiagnosed, especially because there isn’t a simple blood test that can show doctors if you have the syndrome.
That’s why it’s important to see a physician who specializes in pain, such as Dr. Buttar. At Raleigh Spine and Pain Center, we evaluate your medical history, review your symptoms, and complete a physical exam. Dr. Buttar may also order additional tests to rule out underlying conditions.
If you’re diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it’s important to understand there is currently no cure. However, personalized fibromyalgia treatments can help you manage your condition, reduce your pain, and reclaim your body and your life. Some of the treatments Dr. Buttar may recommend include:
If you have fibromyalgia and want treatment, or if you suspect you have the condition and want to get evaluated, Dr. Buttar can help. To learn more, call 919-867-3176 or book an appointment online with Raleigh Spine and Pain Center today.
