When someone speaks of fibromyalgia, the main focus is the chronic pain associated with the condition. It is by far the most difficult part to deal with and is the starting point for the other symptoms that follow. Dealing with the chronic pain is a crucial part of dealing with FMS.

Fibromyalgia Pain vs. Regular Pain

Pain is part of everyday life. A sore throat or toothache signals something is wrong. This pain gives us a signal that something has gone askew and we need to seek treatment. Fibro pain is chronic, widespread, and seems to serve no purpose.

There are two types of pain: acute and chronic. Acute pain is the aforementioned sore throat. It gets your attention, spurs you to seek treatment, and then the pain is gone. Once you treat acute pain, it disappears and you are back to normal.

Chronic pain is entirely different. When the body experiences acute pain and it isn’t treated, the nerves in your body adjust to being in pain. The nerves change and allow the pain to persist. If this continues long enough, the pain continues even after its cause has long been removed. When this happens, acute pain can turn into chronic pain that may last for months or years. With the chronic pain associated with FMS, it is difficult to seek treatment because the root cause of the pain is often difficult to pinpoint. That is why fibro patients speak of managing their pain, not treating it.

Causes of Pain

Research has not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of fibromyalgia pain. It is thought to be connected with several factors. Fibromyalgia patients often have a high level of substance P, a nerve chemical signal. This increased level can cause the pain nerves to be increasingly sensitive. Patients also are known to have lower levels of the brain nerve chemical serotonin. Serotonin regulates mood, alleviates depression, relieves pain, and enhances sleep; all major issues with fibro sufferers. The lower levels of serotonin are also linked to an impaired non-REM (rapid eye movement) sleep phase. This causes the common FMS symptom of waking up fatigued.

Endorphins also play a role in the pain suffered with fibromyalgia. Endorphins are our body’s natural feel good substances. They can block the transmission of pain. Chronic pain sufferers, however, do not benefit from these endorphins. Enzymes called endorphinase attack endorphins making them ineffective in fighting pain.

No matter the cause, managing the pain is important so that it does not overtake your daily routines. Don’t start questioning your pain when doctors tell you they can’t find a cause for it. Chronic pain is often undetectable.

Impact of Pain

Chronic pain can have a negative impact on your daily life; you can hardly remember a time when you were not in constant pain. You do not remember ever sleeping through the night. Your body can become worn down from the pain and may leave you susceptible to other illnesses. You may find that you are having to turn down an invitation from your child to kick a ball in the backyard or a lunch invitation from a friend. The pain, left unaddressed, will be a road block to living the life you want.

The hardest part may be the lack of answers and a treatment for your pain. Whatever you choose to do, just be sure to do something. Arm yourself with information and do whatever you can to stop the pain from changing the way you live your life.

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