5 Misconceptions About Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder of the central nervous system that involves pain throughout the body, as well as fatigue.
Everyone who has fibromyalgia experiences it differently, which is one reason misunderstandings and myths often surround this condition.
Knowing the facts about fibromyalgia — and being able to separate them from myths — is essential to making the best choices to control the condition.
The more informed and active you are, the better off you are with a condition like this.
Here are 5 widely held misconceptions about fibromyalgia, as well as what we know to be true.
Myth #1: You’re Just Tired
Fact: Fatigue in Fibromyalgia Goes Far Beyond Just Being Tired
While fatigue is a common symptom of fibromyalgia, an article published in November 2013 in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy concludes that it doesn’t occur in isolation.
Instead, fatigue in fibromyalgia is linked with other symptoms — including pain, sleep disruption, and mood disturbances — and all of these symptoms can influence one another. Learn more about managing fatigue.
Myth #2: You Should Avoid Exercise
Fact: Exercise is the Most Effective Treatment
Exercise is the single most effective treatment for fibromyalgia, according to the American College of Rheumatology.
Aerobic exercise, in particular, has been shown to be helpful in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms. This includes activities like walking, biking, swimming, and water aerobics. Discover the benefits of exercise.
But Goldenberg believes that stretching and strength training are also helpful for many people. Strength training can mean using weights, exercise machines, exercise bands, or your own body weight for resistance.
While exercise may be painful or difficult at first if you have fibromyalgia, regular physical activity can help improve your symptoms and make exercising easier.
Myth #3: Fibromyalgia Only Affects Women
Fact: Men Also Experience Fibromyalgia
Between 75-90% of people diagnosed with the disorder are women, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA).
Fibromyalgia affects about 10 million adults in the United States, the NFA says, which means that between 1 million and 2.5 million men in the United States have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Read more about fibromyalgia in men.
Myth #4: You Can Take a Pill to Make Fibromyalgia Symptoms Disappear
Fact: Drug Treatments Have Limited Effectiveness
While you may see some benefit from taking a drug approved to treat fibromyalgia, your symptoms will probably just decrease, not disappear.
You’ll probably also still need to incorporate lifestyle measures, like exercise, stress reduction, good sleep habits, and possibly cognitive behavioral therapy, into your treatment plan. Explore natural remedies.
Myth #5: There’s Nothing You Can Do
Fact: There Are Many Treatment Options Available
While there’s no cure for fibromyalgia — and medication doesn’t work for everyone — there’s still a wide range of options available for treatment.
“Nonpharmacological approaches actually work as well, or maybe even better,” than drugs for many people with fibromyalgia, Goldenberg notes.
If your current treatment isn’t giving you the relief you need, work with your doctor to try something new, whether it’s exercise, prescription drugs, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, or alternative treatments, like massage or meditative movement. Learn more about managing fibromyalgia.
