Fibromyalgia Sleep Disorder
It is probably pretty obvious to most of us that any health condition will benefit from proper sleep. How ironic it is then that underlying causes hand us sleep disorders, and sleep disorders provide us with underlying causes. Pain, chronic or not, brings this to the forefront so well. It gets magnified when we are tired and when we are hurting it interferes with our sleep. Pain is one of the most common complaints for insomnia. We can’t seem to the win battle once we hop on this downward spiral. Perhaps, one of the most profound examples of this phenomena, occurs with those who suffer from fibromyalgia.
What is Fibromyalgia
Up until the end of the twentieth century, people who reported very stiff joints and muscles, a body that hurt all over and a feeling of complete exhaustion all day, every day, were often told it was all in their heads. Fibromyalgia, like some sleep disorders, was often viewed totally as a psychiatric problem. Fortunately, the medical community stopped disregarding it as a real disorder, and now, after a lot of fibromyalgia research, it is estimated that about 5 percent of the world’s population, mostly women, suffer from this syndrome. Another barrier to diagnosis for many years was the co-existence of other health conditions that are characterized by pain, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, inflammatory bowel syndrome and endometriosis. The symptoms often overlap and it is still unknown whether they all have the same types of causes. But, one thing is agreed upon, there really are physical problems to address.
The signs of Fibromyalgia Sleep Disorder
Here are the most common signs of fibromyalgia:
- Muscle pain
- Extreme fatigue
- Tender spots on the body
- Morning stiffness
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Depression
- Restless legs syndrome
- Difficult menstrual cycles
- Feet and hands are numb or tingle
- Brain fog
- Trouble sleeping
The last one, trouble sleeping, is the subject here. We actually end up with what could be called fibromyalgia sleep disorder.
Lack of sleep and other causes
Viewing fibromyalgia in terms of a sleep disorder is not far fetched at all. Anyone who suffers from this syndrome has difficulty reaching the deeper sleep stages, the stages that repair the wear and tear of the day and also witness the release of the most growth hormone. Without this sleep stage, excessive daytime sleepiness and major fatigue are common, just as they are with other common sleep disorders, e.g. sleep apnea. To make matters worse, fibromyalgia sufferers often have other sleep disorders, including bruxism (grinding teeth), sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome. Insomnia and fibromyalgia pain definitely go hand in hand. Irregular sleep patterns exacerbate pain and pain turns around to disrupt sleep. Although the causes of fibromyalgia are not known for sure, there might be a genetic predisposition. Other theories include traumatic events, repetitive injuries and other diseases, especially auto-immune disorders.
Treating fibromyalgia with drugs
The treatment for fibromyalgia focuses on the individual case with a goal to lessen pain and increase sleep – proof of just how connected sleep disorders are to this health condition. Over the past 5 years, three drugs have been approved for use with fibromyalgia: Lyrica in 2007, Cymbalta in 2008 and Savella in 2009. These all address pain and depression by focusing on hormone secretion and chemicals in the brains that monitor signals that occur between neurons. Fibromyalgia research is still in its infancy and there are more drugs pending approval. Any of these medications require a controlled situation and the guidance from your doctor. They are not medications that you can just stop taking without consequences. Research continues in its quest to find new drugs that are safe and even better for alleviating any of the symptoms.
How to live fibromyalgia
If you suffer from fibromyalgia and your sleep is disrupted, this is a case where focusing on the sleep disorder first may be the answer. That means making sleep a priority. Keeping a schedule that allows for enough hours and adheres to a routine schedule has never been more important. You certainly do not need to add any other sleep disorders to the existing condition. And, there are some other tips that might help minimize your symptoms.
- Massage – Pain management responds well to gentle massages. They also help you relax.
- Acupuncture – This holistic approach can also relieve fibromyalgia pain. It will free up energy flows and communication in your body.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy – Can teach you how to maintain the right perspective toward the chronic condition.
- Eat a healthy diet – On almost every remedy list because it’s true! Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided.
- Exercise – Many sufferers feel better participating in low-impact activities like yoga, walking or swimming.
- Peaceful surroundings – A stressful environment will make pain magnify. Managing stress at any cost is vital to the quality of your life. This may include work changes.
- Medication – If you take any drugs, do it under the guidance of your medical practitioner.
- Support – Associate with supportive family, friends and even a support group that addresses fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia research
Fibromyalgia research and sleep disorder research have both gone through major changes in the past three decades. Thirty years ago the medical field might have given you a strange look if you mentioned either condition. Now, if you tell a doctor you have fibromyalgia sleep disorder, they not only know what you are talking about, they will likely ask questions and set you up to see a sleep specialist. Research is being conducted right now to study the relationship between fibromyalgia, pain and inflammation in the body. Also of interest is whether or not there genes are part of the equation. And, right along with other research, sleep is on the top of the list. Improving sleep will contribute so much to fighting the battle presented by fibromyalgia pain.
