Do you ever wake up tired with painful/sore muscles? Do you feel stiffness in your muscles? Are you troubled by chronic muscle aches and fatigue? It’s probably fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition causing widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, mood disorders and other symptoms like sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome. People tend to have “trigger points” of pain in different muscle groups.

The blood work is usually normal. The diagnosis is mainly based on symptoms. The symptoms can be aggravated in conditions like hypothyroidism.

Management for fibromyalgia mainly involves changes in diet and lifestyle. Medications like antidepressants and pain modulators can also be used.

If you notice signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia, please reach out to your physician. The management must be coordinated to ensure a holistic approach.