Fibromyalgia how long does the pain last

Reducing stress. Stress can trigger a flare-up of fibromyalgia symptoms. Strategies such as meditation, massage, and talk therapy may help. Get tips on relieving stress. Getting regular physical activity. Pain and fatigue may make exercise and daily activities harder to do. But studies show that for many women with fibromyalgia, regular physical activity can reduce pain.

Start at a very low level, and slowly increase the amount of activity you get. Trying complementary or alternative therapies. Some women say their symptoms got better from trying complementary or alternative therapies, such as: Physical therapy Massage Myofascial release therapy Acupuncture Relaxation exercises Tai chi Yoga.

Will fibromyalgia get better with time? Taking steps to treat fibromyalgia can help relieve your symptoms. How does fibromyalgia affect pregnancy?

What is the difference between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome? Will I still be able to work with fibromyalgia? Did we answer your question about fibromyalgia? Phone Number: Sources Walitt, B. PLoS One; 10 9 : e Lawrence, R. Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States. Arthritis Rheum. Wolfe, F. The American College of Rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity.

Arthritis Care Res Hoboken ; 62 5 Bennett, R. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Rheum Dis Clin North Am ;35 2 Smith, H. Fibromyalgia: an afferent processing disorder leading to a complex pain generalized syndrome. Pain Physician ; 14 2 :EE Moldofsky, H. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. Hawkins, R. Fibromyalgia: A Clinical Update. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association; Yunus, M. J Gend Specif Med; 5 2 : Alonso, C.

Menstrual cycle influences on pain and emotion in women with fibromyalgia. Journal of Psychosomatic Research; 57 5 : Clauw, D. The Science of Fibromyalgia. Mayo Clinic Proceedings; 86 9 : Busch, A. Some people may be able to continue performing their job as they did prior to their diagnosis, but for others, this does not work. Fibromyalgia is covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act , so your employer is usually required to make reasonable accommodations.

Your employer may have a long-term disability program, and there are sometimes other disability programs for which you may qualify. If this sounds like you, learn more about fibromyalgia and qualifying for SSD. Your sleep patterns may keep you from remission in more than one way. Some people with fibromyalgia suffer from sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea is considered a possible cause, as well as a contributing factor to fibromyalgia, and many people are unaware they have this condition. If you have been told that you snore, or find yourself frequently awakening with a gasp, talk to your healthcare provider.

A sleep study is used to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. If it's present, treatment such as CPAP can be extremely helpful with symptoms and also reduce your risk of complications. Insomnia is common with fibromyalgia as well. If you are suffering from insomnia, it's important to realize its importance, and that it is not simply a nuisance.

A number of treatment approaches may help, with cognitive behavior therapy, stress reduction, and even medications sometimes needed.

Many people living with the condition as well as some researchers feel that supplements for fibromyalgia can help improve symptoms and bring you closer to remission. This research, however, is in its infancy, and it's important to find a healthcare provider who can work closely with you.

Healthcare providers can vary in their understanding of fibromyalgia, so try to find a healthcare provider who has a special interest in treating this condition. Someone who is familiar with the current research can help educate you about what we know while we wait for more definitive answers. Supplements are often chosen with specific symptom subgroups in mind.

For example, you may wish to try supplements that help with energy, immune function, pain control, sleep, mood disorders, or brain function, depending on the symptoms you are coping with. A few of the supplements more commonly used include Rhodiola rosea, theanine, Omega 3, carnitine, vitamin D, vitamin B complex, lysine, magnesium, milk thistle, and turmeric.

In addition to finding a healthcare provider skilled in the use of supplements, buying good quality products is essential, as these remedies are not well regulated in the United States. It's also important to be aware that supplements may interact with prescription medications, and both your healthcare provider and your pharmacist should be aware of any nutritional supplements you are taking.

The list of prescription medications for fibromyalgia is growing and includes both medications specifically approved for fibromyalgia and those that are used primarily to treat symptoms.

While medications may be helpful, they work best when combined with other modalities of treatment. Painful periods are common with fibromyalgia and can add a monthly worsening to the already present pain. Some people find that their fibromyalgia flares follow their hormonal cycle, beginning at ovulation and tapering off during periods. Painful and erratic periods are also common.

Treatments ranging from hormonal therapy to endometrial ablation may be used to control symptoms. As difficult as it may seem at times, a final practice many people with chronic diseases find helpful is expressing gratitude. Some people keep a gratitude journal or try to write down two or three positive things that happen each day.

Some days your list may only include brushing your teeth, or the fact that no bills came in the mail. While we have no specific studies looking at gratitude and fibromyalgia symptoms, we do know that gratitude can reduce stress, and stress is a common trigger for flares.

No single treatment works for everyone, and achieving remission from fibromyalgia usually requires a variety of methods and lifestyle measures. Fortunately, ongoing research may guide us in more promising directions in the near future. Learn about treatment and lifestyle changes to cope with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Accessed Sept. Fibromyalgia: The road to wellness. Rochester, Minn. Silver JM. Psychosocial factors and rheumatic disease. Fibromyalgia self care. Arthritis Foundation. Fibromyalgia: The information and the care you deserve. American Chronic Pain Association. Chang-Miller A, et al. Your mind and your health. In: Mayo Clinic on Arthritis. Luedtke CA expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. See also Acupuncture Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?

Antidepressants and alcohol: What's the concern? Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it? Antidepressants: Can they stop working? Antidepressants: Side effects Antidepressants: Selecting one that's right for you Antidepressants: Which cause the fewest sexual side effects?

Chronic pain: Medication decisions Clinical depression: What does that mean? Depression and anxiety: Can I have both? Depression, anxiety and exercise Depression: Diagnosis is key Depression in women: Understanding the gender gap Depression major depressive disorder Depression: Provide support, encouragement Depression: Supporting a family member or friend Endometriosis Endometriosis: Risk factor for ovarian cancer?

Fatigue Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia and acupuncture Fibromyalgia: Does exercise help or hurt? Fibromyalgia: Linked to other health problems? Fibromyalgia: Self-care tips Fibromyalgia and Neurontin Fibromyalgia or not? Fish oil and depression Headache Irritable bowel syndrome Is fibromyalgia hereditary?

Depression and diet Lexapro side effects: Is breast tenderness common? Nervous breakdown: What does it mean? Pain and depression: Is there a link? Integrative approaches to treating pain Nutrition and pain Pain rehabilitation Self-care approaches to treating pain Treatment-resistant depression Tricyclic antidepressants and tetracyclic antidepressants CPAP: How it works How irritable bowel syndrome affects you Tai chi Vitamin B and depression What is hot yoga?

Show more related content. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Legal Conditions and Terms Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

Advertising Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Advertising and sponsorship policy Advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Reprint Permissions A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.