Fibromyalgia and fatigue

Persistent and chronic fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia, second only to the deep muscle pain and body aches. But, unlike normal fatigue, the feelings of tiredness, weakness, and exhaustion that come with fibromyalgia can often lead to unending social isolation and even depression.

What is fatigue with fibromyalgia?

Fatigue with fibromyalgia is described as crippling, exhausting and flu-like. You may experience fatigue on waking up, even after hours of bed rest. And many people with fibromyalgia have disturbances in deep-level or restful sleep, so the fatigue they feel is not easy to treat.

The fatigue with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) often coincides with mood disturbances, anxiety or depression. People with fibromyalgia may describe their sleep as unrefreshing or light. Some people with fibromyalgia have pain and achiness around the joints in the neck, shoulder, back, and hips. This makes it even more difficult to sleep and makes their daytime feelings of sleepiness and fatigue worse.

Experts theorise that there are similarities between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, which is a condition primarily characterised by ongoing, debilitating fatigue. Often, people with fibromyalgia describe the fatigue they feel as "brain fatigue". They report a total loss of energy and difficulty concentrating, a condition called "fibro fog".

Besides fatigue, what are other symptoms of fibromyalgia?

In addition to chronic fatigue, possible symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Abdominal pain
• Anxiety and depression
• Chronic headaches
• Dryness in mouth, nose and eyes
• Hypersensitivity to cold and/or heat
• Inability to concentrate (called "fibro fog")
• Incontinence
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Numbness or tingling in the fingers and feet
• Painful menstrual cramps
• Painful trigger points
• Poor circulation in hands and feet (Raynaud's phenomenon)
• Restless legs syndrome
• Stiffness.

Fibromyalgia can cause signs and feelings similar to those that people experience with osteoarthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis. But, unlike the localised pain with bursitis or tendonitis, the feelings of pain and stiffness with fibromyalgia are widespread.

Do daytime naps help fatigue with fibromyalgia?

On good days, the fatigue with fibromyalgia may be tolerable with daytime napping. However, on bad days, when fibromyalgia symptoms flare up, dealing with fatigue is quite difficult for both individuals with fibromyalgia and their loved ones. Even multiple rest periods throughout the day fail to provide relief from the chronic achiness, fatigue and exhaustion.

How can I get help for the fatigue with fibromyalgia?

Coping with the symptoms of fibromyalgia is difficult at best. And managing the chronic fatigue of fibromyalgia takes great effort and planning. You may feel like others do not believe you when you are forced to cancel family gatherings or lunch with friends because of the chronic fatigue with fibromyalgia. That is why planning your schedule without making too many commitments may be helpful, especially when fibromyalgia symptoms are troublesome.

Most fibromyalgia experts recommend talking to others about your specific fibromyalgia symptoms. They will then know your fibromyalgia is real, and not something you have made up in your mind. In fact, asking for help from your family, friends, employer, or work colleagues is important. When you have support, you are better able to make it through the day, even with the limited energy you feel.