Fibromyalgia affects 4 million people, and although it can’t be cured, there are many treatments to help you find relief from your symptoms. Dr. Benjamin Taimoorazy diagnoses and treats fibromyalgia here at Beverly Hills Migraine and Pain Management Institute in Beverly Hills and Northridge, California.
But how do you know if your symptoms are related to fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is notoriously tricky to diagnose, but there are some telltale signs that you’re dealing with this chronic pain condition. Here, we discuss five of the top symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that causes widespread symptoms, meaning your symptoms can affect many different areas of your body. You might suspect you have fibromyalgia if:
Fibromyalgia is notorious for causing aches and pain throughout your body. The pain can present as a dull ache, a sharp pain, or even a tingling sensation. Fibromyalgia pain usually affects both sides of your body, and common tender points include the neck, buttocks, hips, shoulders, arms, back, belly, and knees. Headaches are also very common, especially if you have pain and tension in your neck and shoulders, which can lead to more frequent headaches.
Fibromyalgia pain can dramatically impact your ability to sleep. Sleep disruptions can come in many forms:
On top of this, it’s normal to feel fatigued when dealing with fibromyalgia. You can increase your chances of sleeping more soundly if you practice good sleep hygiene, exercise regularly (which can help you sleep better at night), and sleep in a cool, dark room.
About 20% of those who have fibromyalgia also suffer with depression and/or anxiety. The pain and stress of fibromyalgia increase your risk of developing one of these mood disorders. The good news is that some of the same lifestyle modifications that help you manage pain can also help improve your mood. This includes strength training, aerobic activity, and flexibility training.
Your brain is affected in many ways by fibromyalgia, and many people who experience reduced cognitive abilities refer to it as “fibro fog.” You might experience brain fog and even have memory lapses.
Dry eyes can develop for many reasons, including weather conditions and how dry the air is. However, people with fibromyalgia are more prone to developing dry eye syndrome and blepharitis.
Many of the symptoms on this list can be caused by multiple different conditions. The only way to determine if fibromyalgia is the culprit is to receive a diagnosis. Fibromyalgia is only diagnosed with a thorough exam and after various testing rules out other conditions. Examples of testing you might receive include blood tests and X-rays.
Once fibromyalgia is confirmed, Dr. Taimoorazy creates a customized treatment plan for you. Potential treatments include physical therapy, regenerative medicine, medical management, ketamine infusions, stress management, and dietary modifications.
Don’t let fibromyalgia rule your life. Book an appointment with Dr. Taimoorazy at Beverly Hills Migraine and Pain Management Institute, and explore your fibromyalgia treatment options.
