Is Your Chronic Fatigue a Sign of Fibromyalgia?

Chronic tiredness can be a sign of fibromyalgia. Read on to find out if you might have the condition and what you can do about it

Fibromyalgia is a disorder regarding how you perceive pain. In the early stages of fibromyalgia, people may complain about localized pain in their pelvis or face, for example, but the pain may later spread all over the body.

Another significant symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic fatigue. In fact, about 4 out of 5 people with fibromyalgia experience fatigue. In addition, many people also experience sensitivity to heat, cold, bright lights, noise, and certain chemicals.

Below, we asked Dr. Aashish Jay Kumar, our expert at Spine & Pain Specialists of the Carolinas, located in Charlotte, North Carolina, to explain the link between chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

Who gets fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia affects about 4% of American adults, and it’s a stress-related disorder. Stress can occur in many varieties, including childhood trauma, emotional stress, or infections. Sometimes, recovering from a car crash or surgery can cause it to flare up.

You’re also more likely to get it if you have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

What causes tiredness in fibromyalgia?

When you have fibromyalgia, your sympathetic nervous system works overtime, becoming hypervigilant. In other words, your body doesn’t believe you’re safe yet. That sort of distress can translate into abnormal connections between the nervous system and how pain is perceived.

The pain can cause fatigue indirectly by raising the risk of depression, which is associated with low energy levels. In addition, the nervous system’s hypervigilance can lead to poor sleep, which can also lead to chronic fatigue.

Reducing pain and increasing energy

Fibromyalgia is a condition where distress is converted into physical pain, insomnia, and tiredness via the sympathetic system.

Managing stress, seeking counseling, and avoiding stressful environments can all have a significant impact on your symptoms.

Because your nervous system is in a state of hypervigilance, it’s essential to avoid stimulants like caffeine, which can worsen your symptoms. In addition, engaging in practices that anchor you in the present, such as yoga and meditation, can reduce your symptoms.

In addition to encouraging you to make lifestyle changes, Dr. Kumar may recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), certain medications to reduce your emotional distress, and physical therapy to improve your pain levels.

Fibromyalgia isn’t life-threatening, but it can significantly impact your life quality, as people with fibromyalgia are more likely to experience major depression or have suicidal episodes.

Contact us to schedule an appointment. We’ll provide expert advice and a personalized treatment plan that will enable you to enjoy life to the fullest.