Chronic Pain
Fibromyalgia Awareness – the invisible disability
Fibromyalgia is a disability that can be very misunderstood in both the UK and abroad.
Many NHS professionals confess to not having enough training around pain. Some even believe that ‘invisible’ disabilities like fibromyalgia do not exist.
This added stress of feeling unheard and not being believed can cause depression and anxiety in many people who live with the disability.
That’s why May is fibromyalgia awareness month. We have sourced information from the NHS and further afield to explain what it is, how it affects people in the UK, and how it could be treated.
What is fibromyalgia?
As well as pain that can spread across the entire nervous system, fibromyalgia is a disability with many symptoms.
- increased sensitivity to pain
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- muscle stiffness
- difficulty sleeping
- problems with mental processes (known as “fibro-fog”), such as problems with memory and concentration
- headaches
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating
Nobody knows the exact specific cause of fibromyalgia. It is thought to be related to abnormal levels of chemicals in the brain or changes in the nervous system’s ability to carry pain messages.
It is believed that the condition could also be genetic, and certain families will be predisposed toward inheriting and developing the disability.
How does the disability start?
Anyone can develop fibromyalgia, as it affects the central nervous system that controls so much of our body’s functionality.
Typically the condition develops between 30 to 50 years old but can happen at any age, including in children or the elderly.
Estimates from the NHS suggest nearly 1 in 20 people in the UK could be affected by the disability, but it is difficult to diagnose.
Support and treatment
People with fibromyalgia understandably can often feel very alone.
Charities like Fibromyalgia Action UK offer information and support for those who need it.
As for treatment, there is no cure, but there are things that can make the condition easier to live with.
A lot of talking therapies, such as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and counselling, have been shown to provide benefits.
Changes in lifestyle, such as more frequent gentle exercise and relaxation techniques, have been proven to help with long-term effects.
As for medication, antidepressants and opioid painkillers are the most commonly prescribed on the NHS.
Recent studies show that medical cannabis can be of great benefit to those suffering from fibromyalgia disability in the UK, however.
