What No One Told You About Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia can feel mysterious. We still don’t know the precise cause of this condition, and symptoms often vary from person to person. Ultimately, as you try to learn more about fibromyalgia, you might end up with just as many questions as answers. 

That’s where we come in. As a pain management specialist with expertise in fibromyalgia, Dr. Jonathan D. Carlson offers insights and guidance alongside personalized treatment plans. Here at Hawai’i Pain and Spine on the Windward side of Oʻahu in Kailua, Dr. Carlson and our team can come alongside you to help you get some clarity around managing this condition. 

With that in mind, we wanted to address a few things people often don’t know about fibromyalgia. 

#1: Symptoms extend beyond pain

When people think of fibromyalgia, their minds usually go straight to pain. Fibromyalgia can cause discomfort just about everywhere in your body. You might feel aching or throbbing pain, along with stiffness in your muscles and your joints.

But pain isn’t the only symptom this condition causes. Fibromyalgia can also affect your sleep, your digestion, and your ability to concentrate — a symptom people often dub “fibro fog.”

In other words, if you’re living with this condition, getting relief means more than easing your discomfort. It also means addressing the other ways fibromyalgia can make your life more difficult. 

#2: We use a precise method to diagnose it

As we mentioned above, fibromyalgia can feel a little mysterious thanks to the wide range of symptoms and unclear root case. But there is one area where this condition has a lot of clarity: the diagnosis. 

To diagnose you with fibromyalgia, Dr. Carlson checks 18 specific points on your body. There are areas where people with this condition feel pain. To get a fibro diagnosis, you need to feel tenderness at 11 or more of those points. 

#3: Treatments can help you find relief

While fibromyalgia can feel like it negatively affects your entire life, there’s also a way to find widespread relief. Usually, that means blending pain management treatment with lifestyle changes. 

For example, Dr. Carlson might tailor your personalized fibromyalgia treatment plan to include pain relievers and life improvers like like:

• Trigger-point injections 
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• SSRI antidepressants
• Counseling
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy

At the same time, our team may work with you to adjust certain aspects of your self-care, such as your diet and your exercise habits, to bring you further relief. 

To learn more about fibromyalgia and your options for managing your symptoms, don’t hesitate to call our office to schedule an appointment today.