Could I have fibromyalgia? What does fibromyalgia pain feel like? Here are 8 signs that you may have fibromyalgia

     

Whether or not you have fibromyalgia is something you should discuss with your healthcare provider.

Nothing the internet gives you can ever replace the sound professional advice a trained medical professional can offer.

Whether or not you have fibromyalgia is something you should discuss with your healthcare provider.

Nothing the internet gives you can ever replace the sound professional advice a trained medical professional can offer.

There are things I feel that no one else would consider symptoms of fibromyalgia. And there are symptoms of fibromyalgia that I do not experience.

Fibromyalgia is a beast with many appearances. So if you are reading this article in the hopes of understanding your own symptoms better, do not be discouraged if this does not represent your own personal experience.

Maybe you have fibromyalgia, maybe you don’t. The responsible thing to do is unequivocal to discuss your situation with your healthcare professional.

Now that all the legal stuff is behind us (or above us!), let’s talk symptoms!

1- Pain is your new puppy.

And like any brand new puppy, it follows you everywhere. It is very common for the first fibromyalgia symptoms to be a generalized chronic pain.

I am not talking about pain that comes and goes. That’s another point on the list.

I’m talking about the feeling that there is always something hurting.

ALWAYS.

There are things I feel that no one else would consider symptoms of fibromyalgia. And there are symptoms of fibromyalgia that I do not experience.

Fibromyalgia is a beast with many appearances. So if you are reading this article in the hopes of understanding your own symptoms better, do not be discouraged if this does not represent your own personal experience.

Maybe you have fibromyalgia, maybe you don’t. The responsible thing to do is unequivocal to discuss your situation with your healthcare professional.

Now that all the legal stuff is behind us (or above us!), let’s talk symptoms!

It just does not happen for you to have more than a day or two without any kind of pain at all. There are several conditions that could provoke chronic pain, so pain alone is not a definitive symptom of fibromyalgia.

Let me put it this way: everyone with fibromyalgia has chronic pain, but not everyone with chronic pain has fibromyalgia. Which is why it is very important for you to see a doctor (do I sound like a broken record or what?!?).

In order to accurately relay the amplitude of your chronic pain, you could keep a journal in which you would write down the day you suffer from chronic pain, and maybe keep track of where the pain was the most felt.

It will give you something concrete to show your health care professional when you discuss your possible fibromyalgia diagnosis.

2- It’s a sharp dull pain that comes and goes but stays the same.

Your pain is nagging and sharp, it is dull and aching and stabbing, it is somewhat noticeable but fully debilitating.

Do I sound like a lunatic? Yes, probably. Do Fibro Warriors know exactly what I’m talking about? You bet they do!

The thing that is hard to explain, hard to admit and hard to share is that fibromyalgia pain has a life of its own. We’ve already established that it never goes away.

But in addition to being as stubborn as a two-year-old, fibromyalgia pain is constantly changing. From dull to sharp, aching to downright impossible to handle, it’s the kind of pain that can drive a person crazy!

The weird part is, most of the time, Fibro Warriors are so accustomed to the pain that they don’t even try to eradicate it anymore. It becomes a regular part of life and we develop strategies, sometimes without even knowing it, to deal with any type of pain.

The problem, of course, is that even if we can ignore the pain, it is still taking a toll on our bodies. It is often too late when we realize that ignoring the pain is worse than talking about it.

3- It will be all better after I take a nap. Not.

Oh, silly Fibro Warrior. Here you are, thinking you can tame the beast by pulling it to sleep. Ya right!

When you have a “mechanical” injury, like a sprained ankle, the recommended course of action is often rest. We are told that everything will be better tomorrow if only we don’t use the injured part.

With fibromyalgia, however, it is a different story. No matter how much rest you get, the pain will not let up. You may have the illusion of feeling better after resting, but it will not last very long.

Indeed, the pain associated with fibromyalgia is internal. It is taking place at a synaptic level. “A what,” you ask. A synaptic level.

It happens on a teeny tiny scale, right in your brain, at the level of what is called synapses, which are the highways between your brain cells, used for nerve signals to travel.

Unfortunately, with fibromyalgia, the transmission of nerve signals is a bit messy, so no matter what you’re doing, your brain thinks it is in pain. And for all intents and purposes, you ARE in pain. It’s just that the pain you feel does not have a “mechanical” or outward source.

In a nutshell, it’s all in our head. But not in a pejorative way.

In the end, resting your physical body will do nothing one way or the other for your fibromyalgia pain. The only thing that can calm fibromyalgia pain a bit is to influence the way your brain interprets the signals it receives. Which means, you’ve guessed it, medication.

4- Am I going to live in pain every minute of every day?

Good news, friend! You may find some relief from your symptoms from time to time! Now rejoice, but not too hard. You don’t want to overexert your body…

The one thing a lot of Fibro Warriors agree with is that there still are some good days, somewhere in there.

The picture we tend to paint is gloomy and dark, but realistically, clear skies appear throughout the day.

While there are good days, where the pain is bearable, or I should say when we are able to ignore the pain successfully, this brings on another issue.

Have you tried to explain to others that some days are good, some days are so-so, and some days are horrible? Chances are, they looked at you in a judgemental way.

If they did not say anything, you can be sure they thought no less. And just like that, you were categorized as the whiner, the faker, the person who is hurting only when it benefits her. Welcome to fibromyalgia.

[To be honest, I’ve never quite understood how being in such pain that you couldn’t leave the house would benefit anyone, but hey, I’m not the one thinking ill of my fellow man…]

When you have a “mechanical” injury, like a sprained ankle, the recommended course of action is often rest. We are told that everything will be better tomorrow if only we don’t use the injured part.

With fibromyalgia, however, it is a different story. No matter how much rest you get, the pain will not let up. You may have the illusion of feeling better after resting, but it will not last very long.

Indeed, the pain associated with fibromyalgia is internal. It is taking place at a synaptic level. “A what,” you ask. A synaptic level.

It happens on a teeny tiny scale, right in your brain, at the level of what is called synapses, which are the highways between your brain cells, used for nerve signals to travel.

Unfortunately, with fibromyalgia, the transmission of nerve signals is a bit messy, so no matter what you’re doing, your brain thinks it is in pain. And for all intents and purposes, you ARE in pain. It’s just that the pain you feel does not have a “mechanical” or outward source.

In a nutshell, it’s all in our head. But not in a pejorative way.

In the end, resting your physical body will do nothing one way or the other for your fibromyalgia pain. The only thing that can calm fibromyalgia pain a bit is to influence the way your brain interprets the signals it receives. Which means, you’ve guessed it, medication.

4- Am I going to live in pain every minute of every day?

Good news, friend! You may find some relief from your symptoms from time to time! Now rejoice, but not too hard. You don’t want to overexert your body…

The one thing a lot of Fibro Warriors agree with is that there still are some good days, somewhere in there.

The picture we tend to paint is gloomy and dark, but realistically, clear skies appear throughout the day.

While there are good days, where the pain is bearable, or I should say when we are able to ignore the pain successfully, this brings on another issue.

Have you tried to explain to others that some days are good, some days are so-so, and some days are horrible? Chances are, they looked at you in a judgemental way.

If they did not say anything, you can be sure they thought no less. And just like that, you were categorized as the whiner, the faker, the person who is hurting only when it benefits her. Welcome to fibromyalgia.

[To be honest, I’ve never quite understood how being in such pain that you couldn’t leave the house would benefit anyone, but hey, I’m not the one thinking ill of my fellow man…]

When you push the trigger points, and if you are a Fibro Warrior, it will feel like someone is drilling a hot coal inside you all the while pounding a hammer on the spot. It’s not pleasant.

Generally speaking, we assume that if 11 of the 18 points are tender upon touching, then you have fibromyalgia. The points tend to come in pairs, so if one side of the body is sensitive, then the opposite side will be too. It’s like a mirror effect.

Here is the deal though, there are times when trigger points are going to hurt more than other times.  And I have also personally experienced doctors would be missed the trigger point by an inch or so, and suddenly, I don’t have fibromyalgia anymore… Yes, it is as frustrating as it sounds.

7- This weather is too hot! This weather is too cold! This weather is… just not right!

If you constantly feel like Goldilocks trying to find the perfect weather, then you may have fibromyalgia!

Unfortunately, fibromyalgia comes with a TON of weird side effects.  The reason for the temperature regulation issue is quite unclear to me, to be perfectly honest.

Well, I know it has something to do with the hypothalamus, which is a gland that sits at the base of our skulls, and that regulates hormones.

And just like the good ol’ menopausal hot flashes have proven time and again, hormones play a big role in how we feel temperature.  I’m not about to give you some long, drawn out scientific blah-blah because I just don’t know any more than that!

But there is what I know for sure: I sometimes feel temperature changes a lot more than other people. It’s pretty insane, actually. I will need three layers of clothing on a 90-degree day, but then I’ll go out in short sleeves when it’s 25 degrees.

Thanks for making me look a little bit more insane every day, fibromyalgia…

8- You think you only have fibromyalgia? Think again!

Oh, how I hate this one…  OK,< fine.  I hate all of them. But this time has a special spot in whatever kind of torturous eternity you believe in.

See, fibromyalgia is so nice to our poor beaten down body that it feels the need to invite its rowdy friends to the party every single day.  EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

Ugh.

I could go on and list off all of the issues that you can deal with when you have fibromyalgia. I could, but I won’t because I don’t feel like getting all depressed today.

But fret not, Fellow Fibro Warriors!  Here is a link to another article I wrote about the various invisible symptoms of fibromyalgia

There you will find a (non-exhaustive) list of fibromyalgia-related symptoms.  Any of those could be stand-alone conditions. What makes it extra fibro special is that Fibro Warriors get to have any or all of those on any given day.

Not my definition of fun…

Look, I’m not trying to be whiny.  But…

It’s really hard sometimes to be open and to say you think you might have fibromyalgia because it can sound a bit whiny.

Now don’t get me wrong.  I know that you guys are not whining.  I know that listing off your laundry list of issues is not how you want to spend your time.  I know that you’re not faking, and you’re not exaggerating, and you’re sincerely not feeling good.

Is fibromyalgia actually real? Or is it a fake diagnosis for people who whine too much?

Oh, how rich I would be if I got a penny for every person who has asked me if fibromyalgia was actually a real thing!

Let me assure me that for fibromyalgia patients, or Fibro Warriors as we like to call them around here, well for fibromyalgia patients, it is definitely and unequivocally a real thing. It is 100% real. No buts, or ifs about it. Yep, siree.

Fibromyalgia is not a hoax. Fibromyalgia is not psychosomatic. Fibromyalgia is not “all in your head.”

And fibromyalgia is certainly not a fake diagnosis for whiners!

But don’t take my word for it! Fibromyalgia has been discussed as a diagnosis for hundreds of years.

Oh, how rich I would be if I got a penny for every person who has asked me if fibromyalgia was actually a real thing!

Let me assure me that for fibromyalgia patients, or Fibro Warriors as we like to call them around here, well for fibromyalgia patients, it is definitely and unequivocally a real thing. It is 100% real. No buts, or ifs about it. Yep, siree.

Fibromyalgia is not a hoax. Fibromyalgia is not psychosomatic. Fibromyalgia is not “all in your head.”

And fibromyalgia is certainly not a fake diagnosis for whiners!

But don’t take my word for it! Fibromyalgia has been discussed as a diagnosis for hundreds of years.

Oh, how rich I would be if I got a penny for every person who has asked me if fibromyalgia was actually a real thing!

Let me assure me that for fibromyalgia patients, or Fibro Warriors as we like to call them around here, well for fibromyalgia patients, it is definitely and unequivocally a real thing. It is 100% real. No buts, or ifs about it. Yep, siree.

Fibromyalgia is not a hoax. Fibromyalgia is not psychosomatic. Fibromyalgia is not “all in your head.”

And fibromyalgia is certainly not a fake diagnosis for whiners!

But don’t take my word for it! Fibromyalgia has been discussed as a diagnosis for hundreds of years.

Oh, how rich I would be if I got a penny for every person who has asked me if fibromyalgia was actually a real thing!

Let me assure me that for fibromyalgia patients, or Fibro Warriors as we like to call them around here, well for fibromyalgia patients, it is definitely and unequivocally a real thing. It is 100% real. No buts, or ifs about it. Yep, siree.

Fibromyalgia is not a hoax. Fibromyalgia is not psychosomatic. Fibromyalgia is not “all in your head.”

And fibromyalgia is certainly not a fake diagnosis for whiners!

But don’t take my word for it! Fibromyalgia has been discussed as a diagnosis for hundreds of years.

Oh, how rich I would be if I got a penny for every person who has asked me if fibromyalgia was actually a real thing!

Let me assure me that for fibromyalgia patients, or Fibro Warriors as we like to call them around here, well for fibromyalgia patients, it is definitely and unequivocally a real thing. It is 100% real. No buts, or ifs about it. Yep, siree.

Fibromyalgia is not a hoax. Fibromyalgia is not psychosomatic. Fibromyalgia is not “all in your head.”

And fibromyalgia is certainly not a fake diagnosis for whiners!

But don’t take my word for it! Fibromyalgia has been discussed as a diagnosis for hundreds of years.

Oh, how rich I would be if I got a penny for every person who has asked me if fibromyalgia was actually a real thing!

Let me assure me that for fibromyalgia patients, or Fibro Warriors as we like to call them around here, well for fibromyalgia patients, it is definitely and unequivocally a real thing. It is 100% real. No buts, or ifs about it. Yep, siree.

Fibromyalgia is not a hoax. Fibromyalgia is not psychosomatic. Fibromyalgia is not “all in your head.”

And fibromyalgia is certainly not a fake diagnosis for whiners!

But don’t take my word for it! Fibromyalgia has been discussed as a diagnosis for hundreds of years.

Oh, how rich I would be if I got a penny for every person who has asked me if fibromyalgia was actually a real thing!

Let me assure me that for fibromyalgia patients, or Fibro Warriors as we like to call them around here, well for fibromyalgia patients, it is definitely and unequivocally a real thing. It is 100% real. No buts, or ifs about it. Yep, siree.

Fibromyalgia is not a hoax. Fibromyalgia is not psychosomatic. Fibromyalgia is not “all in your head.”

And fibromyalgia is certainly not a fake diagnosis for whiners!

But don’t take my word for it! Fibromyalgia has been discussed as a diagnosis for hundreds of years.

Revolutionary Cannabis Patch Successfully Treats Fibromyalgia and Diabetic Nerve Pain

A company focused on the healing power of cannabis came out with an effective patch that relieves fibromyalgia symptoms and diabetic nerve pain.

With this knowledge on hand, cannabis deserves a better reputation that the one it already has.

The cannabis patches are nothing but transdermal patches that release the “good stuff” in the skin, which later travel through the bloodstream.

These patches relieve neurological nerve pain caused by diabetes and fibromyalgia. Experts from the company explain that controlled doses can’t harm the body nor cause any side effects.

Cannabis Science assure their clients that their patches can heal every affected part in the body. Transdermal methods work better than any other solution, including topical, oral, intramuscular or intravenous applications.

These patches guarantee that the needed amount of the healing content is delivered into the patient.

It can be applied through a penetrable membrane that allows full absorption or thin layers that melt on the skin. The thin layers are packed with powerful cannabinoid extract that reaches for the central nervous system, and relieves pain.

CBD is the second most important cannabinoid in cannabis. As you already know, THC is the first cannabinoid. CBD offers huge anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving potential. There’re almost no side effects, except for the hallucinogenic effect.

Mr. Raymond C. Dabney, CEO of Cannabis Science says that their product is just a tiny bit of the whole capacity of Cannabis Science.

“The development of these two new pharmaceutical medicinal applications are just the tip of the iceberg for what we see as the future for Cannabis Science.

While we strive to increase our land capacity for growth and facilities to produce our own product to supply our scientists with proprietary materials to make these formulations, we are also busy researching more potential needs for Cannabis related medical applications and developing the methods for delivery of these medications,” explained the CEO.

Over 10% of all Americans are affected by fibromyalgia, and many don’t even know they have it.

Neuropathic nerve pain is common in many people worldwide, and these patches can help in the treatment of both diseases. There’s a strong possibility that the patches even cure these health problems.

“As more states nationwide legislate for the legalization of cannabis and cannabis-derived medications, we here at Cannabis Science are focused on developing pharmaceutical formulations and applications to supply the huge growing demand expected over the coming few years,”finished Dabney.

Brain Inflammation Seen in Fibromyalgia Patients for First Time

           

Brain inflammation has been an important topic of discussion and research, especially for patients with chronic pain. However, more recently brain inflammation has been seen and studied in fibromyalgia patients for the first time.

Research teams that led this study included: Daniel S. Albrecht, PhD, and Marco Loggia, PhD, with the Department of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School who combined efforts with Anton Forsberg, PhD, with the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. With their combined efforts and examination, they were able to broaden the bounds of their studies. For the first time researchers can see widespread inflammation (glial cells) in the brains of fibromyalgia patients through the process of using two imaging techniques, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), or MR/PET scanning.

It is important for patients to have the validation they deserve, especially when certain symptoms or feelings may be dismissed in the medical world by doctors or other professionals. In fact, people are often led to believe that what they are experiencing is imaginary. However, by finding evidence of neurochemical changes in the brains of fibromyalgia patients, the bias or stigma that several of patients face may be reduced.

Please note I am not a doctor. Although this article has undergone extensive research, do not replace the following information with your doctor’s expertise or advice. If you have any questions or concerns, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

WHAT ARE GLIAL CELLS?

Glial cells are the most abundant in the central nervous system. They surround the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. They support and protect the neurons. There are different types of glial cells found in the brain, including astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Screening and observing the activation of glial cells is an important process during the study and imaging of the brain in patients with chronic pain. MR/PET is a process that combines two processes together.

An MRI does not use radiation. It offers structural and functional details of tissues through the use of powerful magnets, radio waves, and a computer.

PET scans use specific dye containing radioactive tracers. These tracers collect in places where there is higher chemical activity, which means that it can be easier to discern certain conditions since they may demonstrate or have a higher level of chemical activity. The scan will demonstrate bright spots at the site of chemical activity. More specifically, it detects where the radiation is given off.

With the combined techniques of MR/PET scanning, researchers can document neuroinflammation in patients with chronic pain. More specifically, it can help detect whether or not fibromyalgia patients have activated glial cells as well, which will be further discussed in this article.

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (MGH) STUDY

The team at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) study conducted research in 2015 focusing on the activation of glial cells in patients with chronic pain. They successfully imaged neuroinflammation in the patients by using combined MR/PET scanning techniques. The team tested and hypothesized that fibromyalgia patients may have activated glial cells. They used a radiotracer that binds to the translocator protein (TSPO) within the study.

KAROLINSKA INSTITUTET STUDY

Similar to the previous study, the team at the Karolinska Institutet conducted a related approach. The research team investigated and observed the TSPO-binding PET tracer.

Both teams combined their studies and techniques within their study of fibromyalgia patients.

RESULTS

Evidently, researchers have seen brain inflammation in fibromyalgia patients for the first time through the use of combined MR/PET techniques. Fibromyalgia patients who were reported to have higher levels of fatigue showed higher TSPO levels in the brain. More specifically, it was found in a specific region of the brain that is connected with emotional processing, called cingulate gyrus. Therefore, glial activity may be related to the region in association with fatigue. Because of the discovery of more inflammation in fibromyalgia patients than the healthy controls, it can lead to future discoveries and more studies.

These findings are just the beginning. This research and evidence can help verify that the pain fibromyalgia patients face is not imaginary and what you are feeling and experiencing is real. Of course, you do not need someone to tell you this, but it can help broaden the scientific and medical field. This can lead to future studies and more observations. Because there is not a cure or treatment for fibromyalgia, studies focusing on brain inflammation in fibromyalgia patients may help find a way to relieve certain symptoms.

Fibromyalgia: What Happens When My Hair Hurts?

If you have fibromyalgia, you may notice that your hair hurts. Loss of hair is just one symptom of fibromyalgia out of many. Several common symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, depression, muscle and joint issues, and chronic pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition in which people experience widespread chronic pain throughout the body. Widespread pain caused by fibromyalgia occurs on both sides of the body and both above and below the waist. The brain processes abnormal pain signals, which creates the widespread pain and makes it heightened.

Hair loss and hair pain are possible if you have fibromyalgia. Before reading the following article, make sure to contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. This article is simply discussing why your hair hurts in relation to fibromyalgia.

HAIR LOSS

Many people who have fibromyalgia experience hair loss. Hair loss or thinning can be one symptom of fibromyalgia. Hair pain may also arise, which is discussed further in this article.

WHY AM I LOSING SO MUCH HAIR?

So, why are you experiencing hair loss? Here are a few possible reasons:

Medication: One reason why you may have hair loss is due to medications for fibromyalgia. If you start a new medication and notice you are losing more hair, make sure to speak to your doctor.

High Stress: Another reason may be due to times of high stress. During times of high stress or symptom flares, individuals with fibromyalgia can experience unusual hair loss or widespread thinning. The good news is that stress-induced hair loss is reversible and can be treated.

Thyroid Dysfunction: Hair loss may be due to thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid dysfunction is thought to be more common in people who have fibromyalgia. Check your thyroid hormone levels and speak to your doctor for more information concerning thyroid dysfunction.

Autoimmune Issues: If you are experiencing hair loss in multiple spots, you may be experiencing autoimmune issues. Hair loss occurs as several coin-shaped bald spots, which is also known as alopecia.

TREATING HAIR LOSS

Although there is no proven treatment for preventing hair loss before it falls out, there is good news. Luckily, hair grows back, and there are several steps you can take to help treat hair loss. It is important to not allow yourself to get more stressed. Instead, stay calm and look into the different approaches to treatment.

To treat hair thinning and hair loss, one option is to optimize overall nutritional support. This is especially good for stress-induced hair loss cases. Low iron negatively affects hair growth. Try taking an iron tablet. Another resource to try is Energy Revitalization System vitamin powder. However, keep in mind too much of anything is never a good thing. Too much iron can result in dangerous levels of excess iron in the body.

Another way to treat hair loss that is caused by high levels of stress is to optimize thyroid function. As mentioned earlier, thyroid dysfunction is more common in people who have fibromyalgia. In order to check your thyroid hormone levels, speak to your doctor.

HAIR PAIN

Several people who have fibromyalgia also experience the symptom of hair pain. In fact, several accountssay that the head gets so sensitive that it is difficult to touch the hair. There are many stories online that include people from the fibromyalgia community who report a burning sensation. The painful sensation comes and goes but makes it hard for people to touch their hair, much less wash or brush it.

People who have fibromyalgia ask whether or not there are steps to take to ease the pain. There are recommendations, such as leaving your hair down. Putting hair up in a ponytail or bun may create even more pain. If you need to put your hair up, it is recommended to use hair elastic scrunchies. Another possibility is to cut or shave your hair.

WHY DOES MY SCALP HURT?

When hair loss or hair thinning occurs pain may arise from the scalp muscles being too tight. Allodynia, or pain caused by touching the skin, is a nuisance, which is why treatment is important.

TREATMENT

Certain medications can help ease the scalp pain caused by fibromyalgia. According to Dr. Teitelbaum, there are steps you can take to address the hair pain symptom. Ultram and Neurontin are low-cost generics that can be used. Additionally, there is End Pain by Enzymatic Therapy and Curamin by EuroPharma. If you are experiencing other symptoms or have questions and concerns, it is important to contact your doctor.

Can you die if you Have Fibromyalgia?

             

“Can you die if you have fibromyalgia?” It’s the kind of question that consumes your thoughts in the first few hours after a fibromyalgia diagnosis. After all, it’s a scary disease that not many people know well. And no doubt all the things you’ve heard about the chronic pain and disability that comes with it have you thinking that fibromyalgia must be a very serious disease.

And it is. But here’s why the question “can you die if you have fibromyalgia?” shouldn’t worry you so much.

Can You Die If You Have Fibromyalgia?

Can you die if you have fibromyalgia? The short answer is: no. You see, while fibromyalgia is a painful and serious condition, it isn’t a terminal disease in the same way that say, cancer, is.

Diseases kill you by gradual limiting the ability of your organs to perform vital functions that keep oxygen moving to your brain. In cancer, specifically, cancerous cells spread around the body filling your organs with tumors that eventually shut them down.

Fibromyalgia doesn’t affect your organs that way. While it is extremely painful, the condition doesn’t attack vital organs the way that other diseases do. So fibromyalgia won’t eventually kill you.

That’s the good news. The bad news is that while fibromyalgia itself isn’t dangerous, one of the conditions that arise from fibromyalgia can: suicide.

Suicide And Fibromyalgia

Studies have shown that people with fibromyalgia are not any more likely to die of natural causes than the average person. But they are significantly more likely to commit suicide.

A study conducted in Denmark looked at the rate of death among people with fibromyalgia and found an alarming trend. After following a group of people with fibromyalgia for several years, they found that the rate of death was not significantly different. However, in the group they studied of 1300 people, eight had committed suicide by the time the study was complete.

Compare that to the rate of suicide among the general Danish population, which is a mere 6 out of every 100,000. That’s 8 in around 1,000 versus 6 in 100,000.

So, obviously, fibromyalgia makes you significantly more likely to kill yourself. And it isn’t hard to imagine why that is.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that can take everything from you. People with fibromyalgia find that they over time they often lose the ability to care for themselves. The severe pain makes it impossible for them to perform daily tasks to the point that many qualify as being disabled.

At the same time, people with fibromyalgia become extremely isolated as the people they care about drift away over time. Often friends and loved ones decide that it is too much of a burden to deal with someone who is constantly in pain. And of course, it’s hard to make time for those people when you’re pain makes basic things close to impossible.

Finally, there is a certain sense of hopelessness that comes with fibromyalgia. The treatments that are currently available in many places are limited to anti-depressants, which many fibromyalgia patients find completely ineffective, or narcotic pain medications that often lead to cycles of dependency and abuse.

At the same time, the research being done to find a cure is not nearly adequate to the task at hand. And other more visible conditions often take up the limited funds for medical research. That gives sufferers the impression that a cure will likely not become available in their lifetime.

There’s also the fact that fibromyalgia itself often causes depression and anxiety. And on top of all of that comes the constant, miserable pain.

So many people with fibromyalgia end up in a depression situation with a disease that alters their brains to make them more depressed. It’s easy to imagine why the suicide rate among people with fibromyalgia is so high.

So can you die if you have fibromyalgia? Yes. Fibromyalgia can eventually drive you to commit suicide, and in fact, often does.

That’s why it’s so important to manage your fibromyalgia depression. Find every way to cope that you possibly can. Reach out to support networks on the internet or in your daily life. Find new friends who understand fibromyalgia. Don’t let your loved ones drift away.

And above all, don’t give in to suicidal thoughts. Suicide leaves lasting pain for everyone involved and is not the solution that it might seem on your worst days. It will not solve any problems, only make more for those who care about you.

Just remember that life is worth living and you are not alone. Can you die if you have fibromyaliga? Yes, but only if you choose to.