3 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain
One very important aspect of this is the pain of Fibromyalgia. In all corners of the web the pain of FMS is described in the same uniform way, "characterized by chronic widespread pain", and while this is true, it fails to convey the complexity of the pain. There are in fact 3 types of pain that a person with Fibromyalgia feels. This section will describe each type of pain so that you can better understand it when you are in pain. I recommend (please note & see my disclaimer: I am not a medical professional) logging your pain in a diary so that you can track the severity, the type, and how often each occurs. By engaging in the Information Share, you are empowering yourself and will understand your condition on a deeper level. Furthermore, when you know more you can do more, so by arming yourself with as much information as possible you will be of service to yourself as to your physician in making tailored decisions together about your medications and treatment.
3 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain
Fibro shouldn't be thought of simply as a pain condition. Fibromyalgia pain is three-prong, meaning there are 3 different types of pain and we may feel one, two, three or a combination. Hyperalgesia, Allodynia and Paresthesia are the three categories of Fibromyalgia Pain and they are all too infrequently discussed and identified. It is important to know the types of Fibromyalgia pain that exist so that you can start to hone in on them when they occur, journal about it, and bring the information to your physician. By being able to distinguish between types of pain you will be arming yourself with a wealth of knowledge walking into that doctors' visit and be able to make better decisions alongside your doctor, about important things like medication and treatment plans, because different meds treat different pains (ie: nerve medication for Hyperglasia and pain meds for Allodynia). Please find more information about all three of these in the 3 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain section above.
Medications
Fibromyalgia is one of the least understood disorders at this time - and one of the most up and coming on the research front. Being that researchers and physicians don't yet know what exactly causes FM, it is still incurable. At this time there are medications available for Fibro Fighters like myself however, but only 3 are FDA approved for the treatment of Fibromyalgia and this has only come of recent. So while only 3 are technically approved for the treatment of our disorder, there are many that have proven to be useful in the treatment of FM and will be prescribed "off-label". From anticonvulsants (ie: Topomax) to antidepressants (Cymbalta, Lyrica, Savella), to painkillers (Vicoden, Norco, OxyContin, even patch form like Butrans), to muscle relaxants (ie: Flexeril) and nerve medications (Gabapentin, and the just released to market slow-release Gabapentin-kissing-cousin: Gralise), I have tried it all and I can tell you that pain SUCKS but if you research and you know your body and know your disorder you will find what helps you. Eastern and Holistic approaches are also often utilized in Fighting the Good Fibro Fight as well: things like Accupuncture, Cognitive Therapy, Warm Pool Exercise and Light Exercise. What is important to remember is that the game is always changing in the field of medicine but nobody is going to call you up and tell you. Be Your Own Advocate!
***
The pain that a person with Fibro feels is three-prong, a fact that is discussed all too infrequently. Each is as painful as the next but they are all very different and the more we understand about each of them and can differentiate, the better individualized our treatment can be. Unfortunately, since FMS is such an elusive disorder, physicians often start with one method, weigh the pros and cons, and if it sticks great but if not then on to the next. Which to some degree normal in practice, but what was done to me was by no means Kosher - I tried dozens of medications and at one point gained 60 pounds in two months due to a medication in the very early stages of my formal diagnosis. It is for that reason and more that I am whole-heartedly passionate about the Information Share, Good Doctor List, and this website.
Please remember that the medications listed below are only a few recommendations and that a full list of Medications and Treatment, including Holistic and Western Medicine can be found in the Treatment section.
Each type of pain can occur solo, with another type, or all three at the same time.
1. Hyperalgesia: This is the medical term for increased sensitivity, or pain amplification in FMS. It is the most common type of Fibro pain and the most well-studied. This type of abnormal pain response leads to our brains taking normal signals and just cranking up the volume in a process involving high levels of brain activity in the pain centers, not enough serotonin and too much glutamate.
Medications that work for Hyperalgesia are: Exercise due to the endorphins that are released. Also effective are the use of a medications such as Gabapentin because it works on your nerve-endings and the newly released GRALISE (a long-acting form of Gabapentin.)
2. Allodynia: abnormal pain response in which otherwise non-painful stimuli are considered excruciatingly painful. There are three sub-types of Allodynia and they are outlined below.
A. Tactile, which is pain from touch or gentle pressure (a hug is painful)
B. Mechanical, which is from something moving across your skin (applying blush, putting clothes on, applying lotion.)
C. Thermal, which is pain from heat or cold
Medications that Work for Allodynia are:
Tramadol, Lidocaine, Morphine or other painkillers such as Vicoden/Norco, Oyxcontin, Percocet
3. Paresthesia: is the third type of pain and it is a prickling, numbness and/or tingling. For example a numb spot in the middle of your foot or a burning sensation in your back. Why do we get this? It is believed that Paresthesia is due to a damaged Central Nervous System - which is the root of Fibromyalgia.
Medications that work for Paresthesia are:
Anti-Depressants (known as either Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors- SSRIs or Seratonin Norepinephrine, Reuptake Inhibitors SNRIs) Vitamin B12 , Acupuncture
3 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain
Fibro shouldn't be thought of simply as a pain condition. Fibromyalgia pain is three-prong, meaning there are 3 different types of pain and we may feel one, two, three or a combination. Hyperalgesia, Allodynia and Paresthesia are the three categories of Fibromyalgia Pain and they are all too infrequently discussed and identified. It is important to know the types of Fibromyalgia pain that exist so that you can start to hone in on them when they occur, journal about it, and bring the information to your physician. By being able to distinguish between types of pain you will be arming yourself with a wealth of knowledge walking into that doctors' visit and be able to make better decisions alongside your doctor, about important things like medication and treatment plans, because different meds treat different pains (ie: nerve medication for Hyperglasia and pain meds for Allodynia). Please find more information about all three of these in the 3 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain section above.
Medications
Fibromyalgia is one of the least understood disorders at this time - and one of the most up and coming on the research front. Being that researchers and physicians don't yet know what exactly causes FM, it is still incurable. At this time there are medications available for Fibro Fighters like myself however, but only 3 are FDA approved for the treatment of Fibromyalgia and this has only come of recent. So while only 3 are technically approved for the treatment of our disorder, there are many that have proven to be useful in the treatment of FM and will be prescribed "off-label". From anticonvulsants (ie: Topomax) to antidepressants (Cymbalta, Lyrica, Savella), to painkillers (Vicoden, Norco, OxyContin, even patch form like Butrans), to muscle relaxants (ie: Flexeril) and nerve medications (Gabapentin, and the just released to market slow-release Gabapentin-kissing-cousin: Gralise), I have tried it all and I can tell you that pain SUCKS but if you research and you know your body and know your disorder you will find what helps you. Eastern and Holistic approaches are also often utilized in Fighting the Good Fibro Fight as well: things like Accupuncture, Cognitive Therapy, Warm Pool Exercise and Light Exercise. What is important to remember is that the game is always changing in the field of medicine but nobody is going to call you up and tell you. Be Your Own Advocate!
***
The pain that a person with Fibro feels is three-prong, a fact that is discussed all too infrequently. Each is as painful as the next but they are all very different and the more we understand about each of them and can differentiate, the better individualized our treatment can be. Unfortunately, since FMS is such an elusive disorder, physicians often start with one method, weigh the pros and cons, and if it sticks great but if not then on to the next. Which to some degree normal in practice, but what was done to me was by no means Kosher - I tried dozens of medications and at one point gained 60 pounds in two months due to a medication in the very early stages of my formal diagnosis. It is for that reason and more that I am whole-heartedly passionate about the Information Share, Good Doctor List, and this website.
Please remember that the medications listed below are only a few recommendations and that a full list of Medications and Treatment, including Holistic and Western Medicine can be found in the Treatment section.
Each type of pain can occur solo, with another type, or all three at the same time.
1. Hyperalgesia: This is the medical term for increased sensitivity, or pain amplification in FMS. It is the most common type of Fibro pain and the most well-studied. This type of abnormal pain response leads to our brains taking normal signals and just cranking up the volume in a process involving high levels of brain activity in the pain centers, not enough serotonin and too much glutamate.
Medications that work for Hyperalgesia are: Exercise due to the endorphins that are released. Also effective are the use of a medications such as Gabapentin because it works on your nerve-endings and the newly released GRALISE (a long-acting form of Gabapentin.)
2. Allodynia: abnormal pain response in which otherwise non-painful stimuli are considered excruciatingly painful. There are three sub-types of Allodynia and they are outlined below.
A. Tactile, which is pain from touch or gentle pressure (a hug is painful)
B. Mechanical, which is from something moving across your skin (applying blush, putting clothes on, applying lotion.)
C. Thermal, which is pain from heat or cold
Medications that Work for Allodynia are:
Tramadol, Lidocaine, Morphine or other painkillers such as Vicoden/Norco, Oyxcontin, Percocet
3. Paresthesia: is the third type of pain and it is a prickling, numbness and/or tingling. For example a numb spot in the middle of your foot or a burning sensation in your back. Why do we get this? It is believed that Paresthesia is due to a damaged Central Nervous System - which is the root of Fibromyalgia.
Medications that work for Paresthesia are:
Anti-Depressants (known as either Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors- SSRIs or Seratonin Norepinephrine, Reuptake Inhibitors SNRIs) Vitamin B12 , Acupuncture
