National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association

What is Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (fy-bro-my-AL-ja)

is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that causes widespread pain and tenderness to touch that may occur body wide...

What is Fibromyalgia?

FM & Chronic Pain Community

FM & Chronic Pain Empowerment, Encouragement and Education

A place for patients, caregivers, friends and loved ones of a person with FM or chronic pain to find helpful information.

FM & Chronic Pain Community

Together Walks

Join Us for May 12 Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 2016 & make a difference!

Raise funding for research into integrative treatments and make FM visible! Join us at a live or virtual event.

Together Walks

Faces of Courage

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Faces of Courage

Faces of Courage shows that FM and chronic pain affects people of all ages, and to help them know that they are not alone!

Faces of Courage

Donate to NFMCPA

Help us put the pieces of the fibromyalgia puzzle together

NFMCPA is a 501 c 3 nonprofit, charitable organization and donations are tax deductible.

Donate to the NFMCPA

NFMCPA Magazine

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain LIFE- a free online magazine emailed to registered users.

NFMCPA Magazine

Advocate Voice Newsletter

The Advocate Newsletter- a free monthly publication emailed to registered users.

"FREE" Newsletter

Our Mission

The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association unites patients, policy makers, and healthcare, medical and scientific communities to transform lives through visionary support, advocacy, research and education of fibromyalgia and chronic pain illnesses.

Activity

National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Aug 21

Can fibromyalgia cause fatigue?

In today's world many people complain of fatigue; however, the fatigue of fibromyalgia (FM) is much more than being tired after a particularly busy day or after a sleepless night. The fatigue of FM is an all-encompassing exhaustion that can interfere with occupational, personal, social or educationa
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Aug 18

What would happen if we didn't feel pain?

A few unfortunate individuals have a congenital absence of pain sensation. They do not fare well due to repeated bodily insults that go unnoticed. People with an acquired deficiency in the pain sensation (e.g., diabetic neuropathy or neurosyphilis) can develop a severe destructive arthritis -- a res
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Aug 18

What medications are used to treat fibromyalgia?

Since 2007 the Food and Drug Administration has approved three fibromyalgia specific medications: Lyrica, Cymbalta and Savella. Lyrica (pregabalin) is an anti-epileptic medication. On average, approximately one-third of people in clinical trials treated with this medication experienced about
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Aug 14

How is fibromyalgia related to rheumatoid arthritis?

There is often concern on the part of people with fibromyalgia (FM), and sometimes doctors, that FM is the early phase of a more severe disease, such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, etc. Long-term follow-up of people with fibromyalgia has shown that it is very unusual for them to develop another rh...
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Aug 09

How do I know if my pain is from fibromyalgia?

The pain of fibromyalgia (FM) is profound, chronic and widespread. It can migrate to all parts of the body and vary in intensity. FM pain has been described as stabbing and shooting pain, with deep muscular aching, throbbing and twitching. Neurological complaints such as numbness, tingling and burni
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Aug 09

How are sleep disturbances related to fibromyalgia?

Improved sleep for people with fibromyalgia can be obtained by implementing a healthy sleep regimen. This includes going to bed and getting up at the same time every day; making sure that the sleeping environment is conducive to sleep (i.e. quiet, free from distractions, a comfortable room temperatu
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Aug 09

Why is fibromyalgia difficult to diagnose?

Fibromyalgia is not a diagnosis of exclusion and should be diagnosed by its own characteristic features. Even though there is diagnostic criteria that has been developed through the American College of Rheumatology, very few family practice doctors or other specialists understand or know about the..
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Aug 09

Can fibromyalgia affect my ability to work?

People with fibromyalgia who are involved in fairly vigorous manual occupations often need to have their work environment modified and may need to be retrained in a completely different job. Certain people are so severely affected that consideration must be given to some form of monetary disability
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Aug 09

How many doctors are required to treat a person with fibromyalgia?

Ideally, the minimum number of medical team members required to treat a person with fibromyalgia must include: A doctor to oversee the overall treatment regimen including prescribing and monitoring medications. A complementary medical professional to guide the person with fibromyalgia in discerni
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Aug 09

Are there any alternative treatments for fibromyalgia I should avoid?

Complementary therapies can be very beneficial for people with fibromyalgia (FM). These include: physical therapy, therapeutic massage, myofascial release therapy, water therapy, light aerobics, acupressure, application of heat or cold, acupuncture, yoga, relaxation exercises, breathing techniques,.
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Aug 08

Why don't aspirin and ibuprofen seem to help with fibromyalgia?

In general, drugs used to treat musculoskeletal pain, such as aspirin, non-steroidals (e.g., ibuprofen) and cortisone, are not particularly helpful in people with fibromyalgia (FM). As in any chronic pain condition, education is an essential component that helps people understand what can or can't..
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jul 18

Is there a link between depression and fibromyalgia?

About 20% of people with fibromyalgia (FM) have a co-existing depression or anxiety state that needs to be appropriately treated with therapeutic doses of antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, often in conjunction with the help of a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. Basically, people who have
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jul 18

What kind of exercise can people with fibromyalgia do?

There is increasing evidence that a regular exercise routine is essential for people with fibromyalgia (FM). The increased pain and fatigue caused by repetitive exertion makes regular exercise quite difficult. However, those who develop an exercise regimen experience worthwhile improvement and are..
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association answered
On Jul 18

How do people with fibromyalgia feel?

If you ask any person with fibromyalgia (FM) what fibromyalgia is, their response would be pain; from the top of their head to the end of their toes. It's pain that "waxes and wanes" from day to day, and persists even with the use of scientifically accepted medical treatments. The pain exp
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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association

What is Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (fy-bro-my-AL-ja)

FM & Chronic Pain Community

FM & Chronic Pain Empowerment, Encouragement and Education

Together Walks

Join Us for May 12 Fibromyalgia Awareness Day 2016 & make a difference!

Faces of Courage

Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Faces of Courage

Donate to NFMCPA

Help us put the pieces of the fibromyalgia puzzle together

Our Mission

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National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association's contact info

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