Chronic Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Effective Management

Fibromyalgia Can Mask Chronic Inflammatory Disease of the Spine and Pelvis, Study Suggests

Fibromyalgia symptoms can mask the presence of chronic inflammatory disease affecting the joints of the pelvis and spine, according to new research. The study, titled “Prevalence of Axial Spondyloarthritis Among Patients With Fibromyalgia: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study With Application of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society Classification Criteria,” was published in the journal Arthritis Care & Research. It highlights the importance of vigilant management of fibromyalgia symptoms by doctors and patients, taking into account the possible underlying presence of inflammatory…

by chronicillness•08/30/202308/23/2025•0

21 Gastrointestinal Symptoms People With Fibromyalgia Have Experienced

Fibromyalgia may be known to cause widespread pain and fatigue, but there are a number of other symptoms and side effects we don’t talk about as often. For many with fibro, gastrointestinal symptoms are unfortunately a common occurrence. Although researchers are not yet clear on whether the fibromyalgia itself causes these digestive issues to occur, studies have shown that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other GI issues frequently coexist with fibromyalgia. While this may be the case for some, others might have…

by chronicillness•08/28/202308/23/2025•0

How Urinary Incontinence and Fibromyalgia are Connected

Urinary incontinence is a term that basically describes any condition that makes it hard to control your bladder. Obviously, it’s not an easy thing to live with. It’s embarrassing, obviously. But many conditions that cause incontinence are very painful as well. And if you have fibromyalgia, there’s a good chance that you’ve struggled with bladder issues at some point. Studies have shown that a large percentage of people with fibromyalgia struggle with bladder control issues and pelvic pain.…

by chronicillness•08/27/202308/23/2025•0

How Chronic Pain Killed My Husband

So much has been written about the opioid epidemic, but so little seems to be out there about what living with true chronic pain is like. My husband, the Jay, lived and died in incredible pain at the age of 58. As his wife, I lived that journey with him. Jay is no longer here to tell his story, but I want the world to see what I saw. I want you to know how…

by chronicillness•08/26/202308/23/2025•0

29 Stories From Women Whose Doctors Did Not Take Their Pain Seriously

We recently asked members of the Community if, as women, they had ever felt as if their pain had not been taken seriously by doctors or medical professionals. Here are some of their stories… 1. The Woman With the Breathing Problems When I was 17, I started having a really hard time breathing. My primary doctor told me it was just asthma. It became progressively worse, and my inhaler wasn’t really helping. One night, I woke up basically having a…

by chronicillness•08/24/202308/23/2025•0

Why You Might Have a Nerve Block For Chronic Pain

If you’re experiencing chronic pain, a doctor may recommend that you have a nerve block, a temporary or permanent procedure that disrupts specific nerve activity. It can help diagnose or treat certain types of neuropathic pain, or pain caused by nerve dysfunction or damage. Nerve blocks may be performed by injecting chemicals or anesthetics to the area or by deliberately cutting or damaging certain parts of the nerve. Many people receive nerve blocks without even knowing it.…

by chronicillness•08/22/202308/23/2025•0

The Connection between Fibromyalgia and Fever

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that has many different characteristics such as pain in the spine, hips, shoulders, neck, and yes- even a low-grade fever. Fibromyalgia can occur in all individuals, regardless of age or gender, but does occur more often in women between the ages of 30 and 59. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known, which has made it very difficult to figure out a cure for it. Another thing that complicates…

by chronicillness•08/20/202308/23/2025•0

Fibromyalgia Pain Caused By Neuron Mismatch

The unexplained pain experienced by patients with fibromyalgia is the result of a mismatch between sensory and motor systems, new research suggests. In a study published in the journal Rheumatology, researchers asked patients to look at a reflection of one arm whilst moving their other in a different direction which was hidden behind the mirror. This created a mismatch between what the brain sees via sensory input and what it feels through the motor system that controls movement.…

by chronicillness•08/19/202308/23/2025•0

Rational Biological Source Of Pain Found In The Skin Of Patients With Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia, a painful condition affecting approximately 10 million people in the U.S., is not imaginary after all, as some doctors have believed. A discovery, published this month in PAIN MEDICINE (the journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine), clearly now demonstrates that fibromyalgia may have a rational biological basis located in the skin. Fibromyalgia is a severely debilitating affliction characterized by widespread deep tissue pain, tenderness in the hands and feet, fatigue, sleep disorders, and cognitive decline. However, routine…

by chronicillness•08/18/202308/23/2025•0

What is Connection Between Fibromyalgia and Digestion Problems

As if muscle pain and tissue tenderness weren’t enough, many fibromyalgia patients must also put up with a variety of digestive problems on a daily basis. The pain and discomfort can get so bad you don’t know where to begin to find relief, and you may simply give up on a comfortable lifestyle. If this sounds familiar, know you’re not alone: up to 70 percent of fibro sufferers also suffer from irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, including gas…

by chronicillness•08/16/202308/23/2025•1