The throbbing, aching muscle pain and excessive fatigue of fibromyalgia strikes as much as 2 percent of the United States' population, the Mayo Clinic reports. And although the cause of the illness is unknown, a fibromyalgia flareup may occur after some illness or stress---or it may happen for no reason at all. The pain of fibromyalgia can be debilitating, affect the whole body and cause other health problems.
Body Aches and Pains
Fibromyalgia pain can strike muscles all over the body, and also cause "tender points" of soreness. These tender points often occur inside the knees or at the top or side of the hips. The space between the shoulder blades, the neck and the back of the head are also common spots for fibromyalgia pain to appear. Tenderness may also occur at the top of the chest and at the elbow joint.
Fatigue and Insomnia
One of the accompanying symptoms of fibromyalgia pain is extreme fatigue. No matter how much sleep a person may get, she can't seem to ever feel rested. It's thought that fibromyalgia pain prevents deep sleep that allows people to feel refreshed and rejuvenated, according to the Mayo Clinic. People with fibromyalgia find that they suffer from insomnia and have difficulty getting a full night's sleep or falling asleep. Fibromyalgia may also be related to sleep disorders like sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome, which can impact the quality of sleep.
Emotional and Physical Effects
People with fibromyalgia pain also often deal with emotional health issues. Depression is common in people with fibromyalgia, as is post-traumatic stress disorder. People with fibromyalgia also often suffer from persistent headaches, osteoarthritis and irritable bowel syndrome. Autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis also commonly occur along with fibromyalgia.
Dealing With Fibromyalgia Pain
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but medications can help to alleviate pain and ease symptoms. Antidepressants can help with some of the emotional health issues and physical pain, but physical therapy and counseling are also recommended to help manage fibromyalgia pain.
Getting Healthy
It's important to stay mentally and physically healthy to reduce the muscle pain and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. That means working to reduce stress as much as possible, getting regular exercise, sticking to a sleep schedule and routine and eating a healthy diet. Take good care of your body, and remember not to push your body beyond its capabilities---especially when you're having a flareup of fibromyalgia pain.
