Fibromyalgia FAQs

Is Fibromyalgia hereditary?

No, Fibromyalgia is not a hereditary disease. Nevertheless, a certain degree of familial aggregation has been observed. First-degree relatives of Fibromyalgia patients have a greater risk of developing the syndrome, as occurs with other diseases. (1)

Why do some doctors say Fibromyalgia is not real or that it’s all in my head?

Fibromyalgia is a name given to a group of symptoms. Many things can contribute to developing these symptoms and, as a result, treatment and testing are difficult to nail down. The symptoms of Fibromyalgia were first described in the early 1800s when the condition was called “muscular rheumatism,” but Fibromyalgia is still largely a mystery in the medical community today.

As such, many misconceptions exist about what causes Fibromyalgia, its symptoms, and how to treat it. (2)

Should I see a specialist for my Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is not well understood by Corporate Medicine; drugs and surgery have not proven to be of much use. The type of specialist best suited to treat Fibromyalgia is a Functional Medicine doctor. A doctor trained in Functional Medicine has the training to address the complex mechanisms behind Fibromyalgia.

Can Fibromyalgia cause a “pins and needles” sensation?

Fibromyalgia can cause a whole range of nerve sensations, including “pins and needles.” They occur mostly in the hands and feet (called paresthesia).

Is Fibromyalgia just a form of depression?

No. Fibromyalgia and depression are two very different conditions. Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain, insomnia, severe exhaustion, and cognitive dysfunction — and is often a very severe illness. And depression can (and often does) accompany almost any severe illness. That’s why one out of eight people with Fibromyalgia also have depression. But they are two separate processes and need to be addressed separately. Unfortunately, many physicians blame the Fibromyalgia symptoms on the depression. That’s like telling someone with cancer and depression that they’re just depressed, and then denying them health and disability benefits for their actual disease! This is not only wrong-minded and unethical, it’s also downright abusive.

So how to distinguish between Fibromyalgia and depression? Depression is usually associated with sadness and lack of interests. Fibromyalgia is usually associated with many interests, but with frustration over the lack of ability to do them. The two conditions are also very different biochemically. For example, cortisol levels are usually high in depression but low in Fibromyalgia. Bottom line: Fibromyalgia and depression are very different conditions, but both may be present in the same person. If you are working with a doctor trained in Functional Medicine, both conditions will be addressed by treating the whole person not just the diagnosis. (3)

What causes Fibromyalgia pain and how do I make it go away?

When you put your hand on a hot stove or break your leg, the cause of the pain is obvious. But when metabolic problems trigger pain, the cause isn’t so clear. And in Fibromyalgia, pain is usually caused by a body-wide energy crisis that locks your muscles in a shortened position, eventually causing widespread chronic pain. In addition, chronic pain triggers “central sensitization,” where your brain amplifies the muscle pain. The tight muscles also cause secondary nerve pain. This is the source of pain in Fibromyalgia. Fortunately, most people with FMS can get pain-free! (4)