Defects in repetition suppression would mean that the brain expends more energy and hence is less efficient at processing sensory signals, which may account for mental fatigue, or poor concentration in patients with fibromyalgia. One theory is that the condition is caused by problems with a person’s central nervous system – which controls all the sensations and movements the body makes. The NHS has not allowed metformin for Fibromyalgia but following further trials there may be potential with this drug that is already available. If you have fibromyalgia, support groups can provide an important network for talking to others living with the condition. uk will provide you with a thorough assessment and comprehensive treatment plan that is specific to you.

Your doctor may recommend a course of acupuncture from a trained NHS healthcare professional, such as a physiotherapist, to help with your pain. Management for people with fibromyalgia, in line with many other long-term conditions, ought to centre on primary care [ 5– 7]. The greatest perceived unmet need in healthcare for people with fibromyalgia is a lack of available services.

It referred to behavioural, emotional and cognitive techniques for coping with pain and the role of the individual’s belief in their own ability to control their symptoms and achieve their desired outcome in spite of them.

We would advise that anyone discuss taking cocoa with your GP for advice, including on any interaction with your drugs. They encourage you not to be too hard on yourself, even when you feel frustrated, and to accept that sometimes there are limits to what you can do. Yet, challenges diagnosing fibromyalgia, its heterogenous symptom profile and frequent coexistence with other diagnoses, and its historical link with rheumatology [ 8– 11] mean that people with fibromyalgia commonly interact with healthcare professionals in a range of services and settings. Fibromyalgia might be known as a chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain syndrome but patients with fibromyalgia do not just suffer from muscle or joint pains. At home, you could step up and down your bottom step several times, or march on the spot to get your heart beating faster.Both surveys were conducted prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; survey A between 11th September 2019 and 5th January 2020, and survey B between 13th January and 3rd February 2020. In the UK we have limited organisations to support fibromyalgia and more needs to be done in this difficult area. Fibro’ has now become a common label for a whole cohort of young people presenting often with a self-diagnosis and a negative mindset about their future capabilities and sadly a negative engagement with non-drug options.