Chronic Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Effective Management

Non-Restorative Sleep Symptoms & Impact in Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Link Between Chronic Pain and Poor-Quality Rest

Introduction Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects millions of people around the world, characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. One of the most challenging symptoms experienced by individuals with fibromyalgia is non-restorative sleep. Unlike the typical tiredness people may feel after a busy day, non-restorative sleep refers to a situation where a person sleeps for long hours but still wakes up feeling exhausted, as if they haven’t slept at all. This lack…

by Dr Alex Robber•10/29/202508/23/2025•0

Sleep Paralysis Symptoms & Impact in Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Chronic Pain

Introduction Fibromyalgia is a complex and chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While the hallmark symptoms of fibromyalgia are widespread pain and fatigue, the disorder often comes with a host of other complications, including sleep disturbances. One such issue that many fibromyalgia sufferers face is sleep paralysis, a condition where a person temporarily cannot move or speak while falling asleep or waking up. This experience can be terrifying and can exacerbate the already…

by Dr Alex Robber•10/27/202508/23/2025•0

Sensitivity to Odors/Odor Intolerance Symptoms & Impact in Fibromyalgia: Uncovering the Role of Smell in Chronic Pain

Introduction Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, and various sensory sensitivities. Among the many symptoms experienced by those living with fibromyalgia, sensitivity to odors, or odor intolerance, is often overlooked but can have a significant impact on daily life. This heightened sensitivity to smells, which can range from mild discomfort to severe physical distress, can exacerbate other fibromyalgia symptoms, creating additional challenges for individuals managing their condition. In this article, we…

by Dr Alex Robber•10/24/202508/23/2025•0

Photophobia (Sensitivity to Light) Symptoms & Impact in Fibromyalgia: Understanding the Link Between Light Sensitivity and Chronic Pain

Introduction Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that affects millions of people worldwide, characterized by chronic pain, fatigue, and a range of sensory sensitivities. One of the lesser-known yet common symptoms in people with fibromyalgia is photophobia, or sensitivity to light. This heightened sensitivity to light can cause significant discomfort and disrupt daily activities, further complicating the already challenging nature of fibromyalgia. In this article, we will delve into the causes, symptoms, and impact of photophobia…

by Dr Alex Robber•10/21/202508/23/2025•0

Living with Multiple Diagnoses: FM, EDS, MCAS, and Lyme – A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Overlapping Chronic Conditions

Managing one chronic illness is challenging enough. But for many individuals, the reality includes multiple diagnoses that interact in complex, unpredictable, and often debilitating ways. Among the most common co-occurring conditions are fibromyalgia (FM), Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and chronic Lyme disease. Each of these disorders comes with its own symptoms, treatment strategies, and frustrations, but when they overlap, patients often feel overwhelmed, misunderstood, and under-supported. In 2025, more patients and…

by chronicillness•09/28/202509/28/2025•0

Can Fibromyalgia Lead to Other Chronic Conditions? Exploring the Long-Term Health Impact

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It is most commonly associated with widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. While it is not considered life-threatening, growing research suggests that fibromyalgia may be more than a standalone syndrome. Patients often ask, can fibromyalgia lead to other chronic conditions? The answer, grounded in emerging science and clinical observation, points to a concerning yet manageable possibility. Understanding how fibromyalgia interacts with and…

by chronicillness•09/28/202509/28/2025•0

Talking to Your Employer About Chronic Pain: A Practical Guide for Workplace Communication

Chronic pain affects millions of people and can significantly impact productivity, attendance, and overall workplace satisfaction. For individuals living with long-term pain from conditions like fibromyalgia, arthritis, or back disorders, balancing health and work responsibilities requires more than medication and resilience—it also demands honest, strategic communication with employers. Discussing chronic pain at work is not easy. It involves sensitive topics, possible stigma, and concerns about how your disclosure might affect your job security or future…

by chronicillness•09/28/202509/28/2025•0

How to Track Your Symptoms and Flares Like a Pro: A Smart Strategy for Managing Chronic Illness

Living with a chronic condition like fibromyalgia, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome, or rheumatoid arthritis means dealing with symptoms that can change daily, sometimes even hourly. Pain levels fluctuate, fatigue intensifies, brain fog can appear without warning, and emotional well-being is often affected. These variations make it difficult to identify what triggers flare-ups and what truly helps. That’s where symptom tracking comes in—a proactive and powerful tool that helps you take control of your health. Learning…

by chronicillness•09/28/202509/28/2025•0

Building a Daily Routine Around Chronic Pain: Practical Habits for a Balanced Life

Living with chronic pain is a journey that requires constant adjustment. Pain is not just a symptom; it affects how you sleep, move, think, and interact with the world. When pain becomes part of everyday life, establishing a daily routine becomes essential—not to eliminate discomfort entirely, but to manage it more effectively and maintain a sense of structure and purpose. A well-structured routine can help you navigate the unpredictability of chronic pain, reduce the mental…

by chronicillness•09/28/202509/28/2025•0

Fibromyalgia After COVID-19: What the Science Is Telling Us About Post-Viral Chronic Pain

As the world continues to adapt to life after the COVID-19 pandemic, a new health challenge has emerged—chronic pain and fatigue syndromes resembling fibromyalgia in people who have recovered from the virus. These cases, often grouped under the umbrella of long COVID or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, are raising urgent questions about the long-term effects of viral illness on the body’s nervous and immune systems. Among the most concerning is the rise in fibromyalgia-like…

by chronicillness•09/28/202509/28/2025•0