I have down days, but I deal with it. It helps to stay positive. It would be very easy to get down. EULAR recommends this strongly. A physiotherapist, particularly one with an interest in fibromyalgia, will be able to offer advice and guidance on suitable programmes for specific individuals. Exercise is so important. But don’t just go and exercise, you need to see a physiotherapist or a gym instructor. Doing the wrong exercises can be as harmful as doing nothing. Make yourself keep walking, because when you stop it’s so difficult to get going again. The aim is to exercise safely and without increased pain. A typical goal to aim for is to build up exercise to 4-5 times a week for at least 20 to 30 minutes a session, but it may take several months to build up to this level.

There are 2 talking therapies that may be able to help reduce pain caused by fibromyalgia. They are: Then, after doing your routine of exercises for a couple of weeks, slowly increase the amount you do, and this will improve your fitness, stamina and flexibility. Aerobic exercises The term “fibro fog” is often used to describe; difficulty paying attention or performing simple mental tasks and being forgetful or having poor judgment. As well as helping byeasing pain, antidepressants can alsohelp with disturbed sleep and may improve overall function. Sleeping tablets are not normally recommended, as the body can become tolerant to them, which can lead to the effects wearing off and even addiction. But regular activity, particularly aerobic exercise, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) have proven effective for people with disrupted sleep patterns.

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Sleep problems vary from person to person. Some find it hard to fall asleep or they wake up often during the night. Others wake up feeling unrefreshed, even after sleeping through the night. Research shows that poor sleep can worsen pain. These symptoms can cause people to confuse fibromyalgia with another condition called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). There’s no specific fibromyalgia test. But your GP may do some blood tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms to fibromyalgia. Endometriosis. People with fibromyalgia are at a higher risk of developing this condition, which occurs when tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of it. It can cause painful and irregular menstrual cycles. Tiredness is a nonspecific symptom - which means it can be a symptom of many different conditions, not just fibromyalgia. See the separate leaflet called Tiredness (Fatigue). Fibromyalgia causes

There is a limited availability of NHS specialist pain services with access to these multi-disciplinary teams in many areas in the UK. Natural remedies for fibromyalgia Exercise I get as much sleep as I can. In the morning I’m still tired and my legs feel like lead, but I must get on and walk the dogs. Heat pads on my waist really help me walk. I always feel much better out in the fresh air.All drugs have potential side effects. It’s important to talk to your doctor about how to get the best balance between pain relief and any unpleasant effects. If you feel like a treatment isn’t helping you, talk to your doctor.

A musculoskeletal (MSK) specialist, such as a physiotherapist or MSK physician (health professionals who specialise in treating conditions that affect muscles and joints). Chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic primary pain. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). www.nice.org.uk, published 7 April 2021 CBT is problem-focused and practical. There is evidence that it helps to ease pain symptoms, as well as reducing their effects on people's lives. . This is thought to be because the parts of the brain that control responses to unpleasant things can be modified by CBT so it may affect the brain's responses to the false pain signals. One theory is that the condition is caused by problems with a person’s central nervous system – which controls all the sensations and movements the body makes.Antidepressants are sometimes used to help relieve the pain of fibromyalgia. They can also help improve your sleep, emotional health and overall quality of life. Headaches. Tension headaches, migraines and pain in the jaw or face may affect people with fibromyalgia. Breakfast is very important. It should include some protein and slow-release carbohydrate, which will provide the right kind of energy throughout the morning, even when in pain and feeling tired. Living with fibromyalgia Can fibromyalgia and depression be treated together? A study at the University of Cambridge is looking at why things that wouldn’t normally be painful, such as sound, light and gentle touch become painful for people with fibromyalgia, and whether brain signals that process pain differ in people with fibromyalgia.

Your doctor may suggest trying a course of acupuncture to see if this helps your symptoms. Acupuncture involves using fine needles inserted into specific areas of your body to relieve pain. It should be delivered by a health professional with appropriate training in the therapy. When I eventually saw a rheumatologist, she just pressed my trigger points - I went through the roof. Tears were pouring down my face.

If you are unsure which products may help suit your needs, please consult your GP or an Occupational Therapist for further advice. They will talk to you about your needs and suggest suitable aids to help you. Aim to do at least one session a day, either at home or in a gym. Ask a GP or physiotherapist for examples of strengthening exercises you could do at home.