8 Hidden Types of Fibromyalgia Pain and How to Manage Them

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects millions of people, causing widespread pain, fatigue, and other symptoms that can make daily life feel overwhelming. One of the most challenging aspects of fibromyalgia is the variety of pain types that come with it. In fact, there are eight primary types of pain that people with fibromyalgia experience. Understanding these pain types and how to manage them can help improve your quality of life.

1. Hyperalgesia: When Pain Feels Worse Than It Should

Hyperalgesia refers to an increased sensitivity to pain. In people with fibromyalgia, the nervous system is more reactive, so even light touch or minor discomfort can feel intense.

What it feels like: A gentle hug might feel painful, or a soft breeze might feel like a sharp sting.

What helps:

• Medications: Drugs like Cymbalta (an antidepressant) and Lyrica (an anticonvulsant) can help reduce this heightened pain sensitivity.
• Therapies: Physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help retrain the nervous system to better handle pain signals.

2. Widespread Muscle Pain and Fatigue: The Flu-Like Ache

Muscle pain is one of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia. The pain can be constant and affects various parts of the body, including the neck, back, shoulders, and legs.

What it feels like: A constant ache, as though you’ve just recovered from the flu, combined with persistent fatigue that doesn’t go away even after a good night’s sleep.

What helps:

• Medications: Pain relievers like NSAIDs, and antidepressants such as Savella or Cymbalta, can provide relief.
• Exercise: Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga can help keep muscles flexible and reduce pain.
• Massage and Physical Therapy: These can help ease muscle tension and improve mobility.

3. TMJ Pain: Jaw Trouble That Affects Your Entire Head

People with fibromyalgia often experience temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. The TMJ connects the jaw to the skull, and when it’s inflamed, it can cause headaches, jaw pain, and neck stiffness.

What it feels like: A dull, aching pain around the jaw, ear, and temples, and possibly a clicking sound when opening the mouth.

What helps:

• Mouthguards: Wearing a mouthguard while sleeping can prevent teeth grinding, which worsens TMJ pain.
• Anti-inflammatory Medications: Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce swelling.
• Physical Therapy: Exercises to relax jaw muscles can help reduce pain.

4. Allodynia: When Even a Light Touch Hurts

Allodynia occurs when non-painful sensations, like the feeling of your clothes against your skin, become painful. This is due to central sensitization, where the brain overreacts to sensory input.

What it feels like: Wearing a bra strap or the waistband of your pants might feel like it’s cutting into your skin. It can feel as if your skin is constantly sunburned.

What helps:

• Medications: Drugs like Lyrica can help calm the overactive nerves that cause pain.
• Gentle Touch: Light, non-irritating fabrics and soothing treatments like warm baths or massages can be helpful.

5. Neuropathic Pain: Tingling, Burning, and Numbness

Neuropathic pain in fibromyalgia often manifests as tingling, burning, or numbness in the limbs, especially the arms and legs. It’s a type of nerve pain that feels different from regular muscle aches.

What it feels like: A sensation of “pins and needles,” or a burning or crawling feeling under the skin.

What helps:

• Medications: Lyrica, as well as topical creams containing capsaicin or lidocaine, can provide relief.
• Supplements: Vitamin B1, B6, and B12 have shown promise in reducing nerve pain in some studies.

6. Headaches: Tension and Migraines

Headaches, including both tension headaches and migraines, are common in people with fibromyalgia. These headaches can be more frequent and severe than those experienced by people without the condition.

What it feels like: Tension headaches cause a dull, tight pressure around the head, while migraines may bring on intense, throbbing pain, often accompanied by nausea and light sensitivity.

What helps:

• Medications: Triptans for migraines, and NSAIDs for tension headaches, can be effective.
• Avoiding Triggers: Certain foods, lights, and sounds can trigger headaches, so managing these triggers can help prevent pain.
• Stress Reduction: Practices like yoga and mindfulness can also reduce the frequency of headaches.

7. Digestive Pain: IBS and GERD

Many people with fibromyalgia also suffer from digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These conditions cause abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort.

What it feels like: Cramping, bloating, diarrhea or constipation (IBS), and heartburn or regurgitation (GERD).

What helps:

• Medications: Antacids for GERD and antispasmodics for IBS can ease digestive discomfort.
• Dietary Changes: Eating smaller, more frequent meals and avoiding trigger foods can help.
• Lifestyle Adjustments: Stress management techniques and maintaining a regular eating schedule can ease symptoms.

8. Pelvic Pain: A Hidden Symptom

Pelvic pain, including bladder discomfort, is another often-overlooked symptom of fibromyalgia, particularly in women. It can cause frequent urination, pelvic cramping, and a constant sense of discomfort.

What it feels like: A dull ache in the lower abdomen or pelvis, sometimes accompanied by frequent, urgent urination.

What helps:

• Medications: Pain relievers and muscle relaxants can help alleviate discomfort.
• Bladder Training: Techniques to control the urge to urinate can reduce the frequency of pain.
• Treating Underlying Conditions: If endometriosis or other conditions are contributing to the pain, hormonal therapies or surgery may be necessary.

The Emotional and Psychological Impact

Living with chronic pain can take a toll on your mental health. Many people with fibromyalgia struggle with feelings of depression, anxiety, and stress, often due to the unpredictable nature of their pain.

What helps:

• Mental Health Support: Therapy (especially CBT), support groups, and mindfulness practices can help manage the emotional strain of fibromyalgia.
• Medication: Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed to help stabilize mood.

Conclusion

Fibromyalgia may bring many different types of pain, but the good news is that there are effective treatments for each type. By understanding the different pain patterns and how to manage them, you can take steps to improve your quality of life. Remember that a combination of medications, physical therapy, exercise, stress management, and lifestyle changes can help you feel better and regain control over your life.

If you or a loved one is living with fibromyalgia, it’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider to create a personalized plan that addresses all aspects of the condition. With the right care, relief is possible.