Fibromyalgia
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.
As well as widespread pain, other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- increased sensitivity to pain
- muscle stiffness
- difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, which can make you feel very tired (fatigue)
- problems with mental processes (known as "fibro-fog"), such as difficulty concentrating or remembering things
- headaches
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating
- feelings of frustration, worry or low mood
The symptoms of fibromyalgia are changeable – for example, they can sometimes suddenly improve or get worse.
Why have we created the pathway?
Fibromyalgia can be a difficult diagnosis to receive. Living with chronic pain can impact your health and wellbeing and can often stop you being able to do lots of things that matter to you as a patient.
The management of FMS can be harder still. The evidence shows that most pain medications don't help with the symptoms - yet people can sometimes end up on lots of pain medicines - some of which can be dependency forming.
We wanted to provide a service for patients newly diagnosed with FMS.
This service would give patients time with a specialist Occupational Therapist. Together, the patient and the OT would look in detail about what pain is, what FMS, what the triggers can be and start to shape a plan together which would give patients the tools needed to manage symptom flare ups and chronic pain.
The goal is to support patients in being able to continue to do the things that matter to them - without ending up on dependency forming medication.
How can I be part of the pathway?
If you think you may have Fibromyalgia, please speak to your GP.
If you are newly diagnosed (within 4 weeks) with FMS, you GP should refer you directly onto the pathway.
If you have lived with FMS for some time, there is support available for you - Fibromyalgia Action UK.