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Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain throughout your body. It's essentially a problem with how your brain and nerves process pain signals. Your "pain volume control" is broken and stuck too high. This means normal sensations (like light touch, heat, or cold) or minor aches are treated by the brain as major pain signals.
Patients may describe the pain as stiffness, achiness, sharp shooting pain, tingling or numbness. The pain can originate in multiple areas (like the muscles, joints, bladder, pelvis, chest or head).
COMMON SYMPTOMS
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Lower pain threshold and amplified pain response
Muscle and joint pain
Headaches, migraines, TMJ
Numbness, tingling and restless legs syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome
Bladder and pelvic pain, painful menstruation
Sensitive to sensory input
Dry eyes and mouth
Heart palpitations, increased heart rate, low heart rate variability
Sleep disturbances, fatigue and cognitive difficulties
MANAGING SYMPTOMS
MANAGING SYMPTOMS
Discuss prescriptions with your doctor help manage both pain and sleep problems
Use the pacing strategy (balancing activity and rest) to limit fibro flares
Work with a Physical Therapist to create a gentle exercise plan to maintain your strength and flexibility without triggering flares
Work with an Occupational Therapist to make changes to your home, work, and daily routines that will reduce stress on your body
Use a heating pad or hot shower for temporary pain relief
Prioritize good sleep hygiene for maximum rest and recovery
HELPFUL WEBSITES
HELPFUL WEBSITES
Bateman Horne Center https://batemanhornecenter.org/education/fibromyalgia/
BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS, & Fibromyalgia https://bc-clmf.org/videos
Dr. Rick Arseneau on ME TV: Long COVID, ME/CFS, & Fibromyalgia in Children and Teens https://youtu.be/dpI24ZhY57M?si=ZIcM6cr5edSL8FNV
Fibro Canada https://fibrocanada.ca/en/what-is-fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia Well Spring Foundation https://www.fibromyalgiawellspringfoundation.org/what_is_fibromyalgia.php
Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/symptoms-causes/
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