Fibromyalgia

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia, also known as fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), causes chronic pain in the muscles and muscle attachments.

The pain is not limited to a specific body region or muscle group, but is felt throughout the entire body.

In most cases, the pain also occurs in episodes and months can pass between attacks without any pain at all.

Additionally, patients often experience psychological symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, sleep disorders or depression. Sleep disorders in particular often lead to general exhaustion and fatigue in those affected. In the majority of cases, fibromyalgia often occurs together with other systemic illnesses and is particularly prevalent with rheumatoid arthritis or irritable bowel syndrome.

What is the cause of fibromyalgia?

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is currently still being researched. While there are a number of different explanations, evidence has shown that the disease may be hereditary.

People who have a family history of diagnosed fibromyalgia are at an increased risk of developing the disease.

How fibromyalgia works is also not yet fully understood. It appears to be a combination of several factors, including, for example, an overall disrupted, highly increased pain sensitivity in those affected.

To what extent this pain sensitivity is amplified by a psychosomatic component is still unclear. Additionally, a non-specific inflammatory response in the body appears to contribute to the symptoms of the condition. Overall, fibromyalgia occurs more frequently in women than in men, which can be partly attributed to the female hormone balance.

Typical symptoms: how does fibromyalgia present itself? 

The main symptom described by most patients suffering from fibromyalgia is pain in the muscles and muscle attachments. The pain may affect any part of the body and frequently affects multiple sites simultaneously. Especially the transitions from the muscles to the tendons are perceived as extremely sensitive (medically known as “tender points”).

Furthermore, there is often constant fatigue accompanying the pain. Sleep disorders are also frequent, which can be perceived as very stressful. All in all, this disease is very psychologically demanding for those affected, with many patients developing depression or anxiety disorders over the course of the disease.

Fibromyalgia rarely occurs without accompanying conditions, meaning that patients describe a wide range of additional symptoms. One disease that often exists in addition to fibromyalgia is irritable bowel syndrome, so patients affected also complain of gastrointestinal symptoms alongside the muscle pain from the fibromyalgia.

Another common accompanying disease is rheumatoid arthritis, which is characterized by joint inflammation and pain.

Neurological disorders such as restless leg syndrome also frequently occur with fibromyalgia. The wide range of possible accompanying symptoms of fibromyalgia is also one of the reasons why the diagnosis is often made late.

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia

A diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made following a detailed clinical examination. As there are no specific laboratory or diagnostic parameters that are suitable for confirming the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, this process can be difficult. There will usually be a detailed consultation with the doctor and a physical examination.

This is followed by a laboratory examination to look for abnormalities in the patient's blood. In fibromyalgia, both the physical examination and the blood values are normal. The only signs of the disease are the pain described and any other symptoms. Another important part of the examination is asking about any other existing medical conditions.

If patients develop fibromyalgia at an older age and without any obvious accompanying illness, additional examinations usually need to be carried out, as in this case it may be an indication of an underlying illness, such as an infection or tumor.

Therapy and treatment of fibromyalgia

The therapy and treatment of fibromyalgia are often challenging. It is important to provide detailed information about the condition. This requires an extensive conversation with the doctor and continuous communication between the treating doctors and patients. Medication can be helpful in alleviating specific accompanying symptoms, such as depression or gastrointestinal issues.

For treating the actual pain, medication is only partially effective and not suitable for long-term use. A holistic therapeutic approach is recommended here. This typically involves a combination of physical therapy, psychotherapy, support groups, regular exercise, and specific relaxation techniques. Being open about the condition with one's personal environment can also help in reducing the emotional burden.

Course and prognosis of fibromyalgia

In most cases, fibromyalgia is a chronic, meaning that it is a very long-term disease. The aim of therapy is therefore not to cure the disease, but to alleviate the symptoms and improve the quality of life despite the presence of fibromyalgia.

The disease can progress in different ways, but it often comes in episodes. This means that there may be periods without any pain for several months, which are then followed by an episode of symptoms and pain. How long the relapses last is very individual and also depends on external factors such as current stress or additional existing illnesses.

The long-term management of these therapies can help shorten relapses, alleviate the severity of symptoms, and reduce anxiety about potential future flare-ups.

Which doctors and clinics specialize in fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is often first suspected by the general practitioner treating the patient. To confirm the diagnosis, referrals to other specialties such as endocrinology, neurology or rheumatology may be needed.

Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment is provided by specially trained pain therapists, i.e., doctors who have completed additional training in pain therapy. These are often general practitioners or rheumatologists, but other specialists can also complete this training.

However, this additional training is not strictly necessary for therapy. It is usually advisable to consult your general practitioner for advice on targeted treatment.

Anyone in need of a doctor would expect the best possible medical care for themselves. Therefore, patients are looking for the most suitable clinic for their needs. Since this is not an objective decision and a respectable doctor would refrain from claiming to be the best, patients must trust the experience of a doctor.

We can help you find an appropriate expert for your condition. All the doctors and clinics listed have undergone extensive review and have been verified by us for their outstanding expertise in the field of fibromyalgia. They are looking forward to and are ready to address your questions and treatment requests.