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Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (sometimes shortened to Fibro) is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body. Sufferers may also experience other symptoms such as fatigue, trouble sleeping, and irritable bowel syndrome. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can be unpredictable and disruptive. If you have tried conventional treatments but are still stuck in a cycle of pain or other troublesome symptoms, medical cannabis may be right for you.

Fibromyalgia Definition

Woman sitting at a table with a laptop in front of her. She is holding her neck and has her eyes closed, as if in pain.

Fibromyalgia is a painful condition that causes pain across large parts of the body. The pain is felt within the muscles and soft tissues and may be more severe in trigger points on the back, shoulders, or neck. The pain may also be more noticeable after long periods in the same position such as in the evenings or first thing of a morning.

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

The causes of fibromyalgia are currently unproven. It is believed to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain which affect how the brain, spinal cord and nerves process the pain messages carried around the body. There are also some studies suggesting that genetics may contribute to the development of fibromyalgia, but it isn’t the whole picture. The condition can be triggered by physically or mentally stressful events. However, for most people there is no clear cause. Known triggers include:

  • An injury or infection
  • Childbirth
  • Undergoing an operation
  • The breakdown of a relationship
  • The death of a loved one

Fibromyalgia Symptoms

The main symptom of fibromyalgia is widespread pain which feels like a constant dull ache, this pain is felt across large parts of the body. Unlike short-term ailments or viruses that can cause pain throughout the whole body, fibromyalgia-related pain is long term (chronic) and continues for a minimum of 3 months. Sufferers may also experience heightened sensitivity to pain, so what may cause pain with a 5 out of 10 severity for someone else would lead to pain of 10 out of 10 severity for an individual with fibromyalgia.

In addition to the feeling of pain throughout the whole body, other symptoms include:

  • Severe tiredness (fatigue)
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Sleep disruption such as difficulty sleeping
  • ‘Fibro-fog’ resulting in problems with memory and concentration
  • Headaches
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Some women are also affected by interstitial cystitis – a sensitive, painful bladder, with increased frequency of urination

How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?

There are no specific tests to detect the condition, most diagnoses are be made by taking a comprehensive medical history combined with a physical examination.

With varying symptoms, it can take a while to get a comprehensive diagnosis, especially as many symptoms can also be symptoms of other conditions. Your GP may wish to rule out other conditions first such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis which can be detected through urine or blood tests, x-rays, or scans. However, having one or more of the other conditions does not necessarily mean you don’t also have fibromyalgia.

Key criteria for a fibromyalgia diagnosis are:

  • Severe pain in in 3 to 6 different areas of the body or a dull ache/pain in 7 or more areas of the body
  • The pain and the additional symptoms as described have been ongoing for 3 months or longer
  • Other conditions with similar symptoms have been ruled out as the cause

Fibromyalgia Treatment

Two women running through a park. They are wearing sun glasses and are smiling.

Treatment will vary from person to person depending upon their individual symptoms – there is no ‘one size fits all’ – a trained healthcare professional will be able to help advise on the best course of action. The current treatment options may improve symptoms however individuals can expect fluctuations in their severity even with optimal treatment. Research into fibromyalgia is ongoing to identify and develop even more therapeutic options.

As fibromyalgia affects different areas of the body, the sufferer may benefit from the advice and care of a few different healthcare professionals including rheumatologists, pain specialists and psychologists to provide a comprehensive treatment plan. Certain lifestyle changes, such as exercise, to improve a person’s quality of life may be suggested also.

Medical Cannabis for Fibromyalgia

If you’re seeking alternative ways to manage fibromyalgia pain and associated symptoms, medical cannabis could be worth exploring with a specialist. Clinical research is limited, however Curaleaf are growing the real-world evidence on its effects through the UK Medical Cannabis Registry. If you’ve tried traditional therapies and you’re curious about whether medical cannabis might be right for your fibromyalgia, sign up to check your eligibility for a consultation with one of our pain specialists. We’re here to help put you back in control.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Fibromyalgia

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There is no ‘one size fits all’ treatment. A GP or specialist healthcare professional can help form a treatment plan and different approaches and healthcare professionals may be needed to help ease specific symptoms.

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Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, which often affects individuals for the rest of their lives following onset. However, with adherence to tailored treatment plans most people should expect to have improvement, given time. It is completely normal for the symptoms of fibromyalgia to fluctuate and improve or get worse over time, despite the initiation of the most appropriate treatment plan.

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You cannot test for fibromyalgia; it does not show up in scans or blood tests. However, it may be necessary to conduct further test to diagnose fibromyalgia by ruling out other common causes of similar symptoms.

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No, you cannot. There is no blood test for fibromyalgia. However, these may be necessary as part of the process of diagnosing fibromyalgia by helping to rule out other causes of an individual’s symptoms.

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The two most common symptoms are pain felt throughout the whole body that has lasted 3 months or longer and an increased sensitivity to pain, but fibromyalgia isn’t just a painful condition and individuals may be affected by a broad range of symptoms.

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Many triggers can cause the onset of fibromyalgia, these include physically or mentally stressful events. However, for most people there is no clear cause.

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The triggers for fibromyalgia vary between individuals. The most common causes of a fibromyalgia flare-up are physical and/or emotional stress, weather changes, hormonal fluctuations, diet, and poor sleep. It may be helpful for some people to keep a symptom diary to see if any individual triggers cause worsening of symptoms so they can be minimised if possible.

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Medical cannabis may be considered for fibromyalgia if first-line licensed treatments fail to provide sufficient clinical improvement.

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