Fibromyalgia attacks are one of the most challenging periods for those suffering from this chronic disease, as the symptoms of fibromyalgia escalate suddenly and severely affect the ability to carry out daily activities. During these attacks, patients suffer from an increase in widespread muscle pain, severe fatigue, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating, which makes understanding and dealing with these symptoms necessary to improve life and reduce the effects of the disease during periods of exacerbation. At the Well-Being Center of Al Moosa Health Hospital, you can get rid of the symptoms of fibromyalgia attacks and identify them to help those affected deal with them.

What are fibromyalgia attacks?

Fibromyalgia attacks refer to periods during which the pain and symptoms of fibromyalgia attacks increase suddenly or noticeably after the symptoms are at a milder level. These attacks are sometimes called attacks or exacerbation of the disease, during which the affected person feels a severe increase in muscle pain, body stiffness, or fatigue, with difficulty concentrating or sleeping. 

In addition, this condition may last hours, days, or even weeks, and these attacks are often triggered by factors such as psychological stress, lack of sleep, physical stress, weather changes, or even a minor infection.

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia attacks?

Fibromyalgia attacks are defined as periods in which the appearance of symptoms increases suddenly and noticeably compared to the patient's usual condition, as the severity of the pain worsens, its area expands, and is accompanied by a greater feeling of fatigue and disturbances in sleep and concentration. These attacks may last for several days or weeks, which clearly affects the patient's ability to carry out his daily activities. The following is a detailed explanation of the most important symptoms that may accompany these attacks.

Diffuse muscle pain

This pain is considered one of the most important symptoms of fibromyalgia attacks. During a fibromyalgia attack, the patient feels pain that covers most areas of the body, and the pain is sometimes deep as if it is coming from the bones or extending into the muscles and joints. It may be in the form of constant pain, tingling, or a burning sensation, and it often increases with movement or even with light touch.

Extreme fatigue and exhaustion

The attack causes a general feeling of extreme fatigue, even without making any apparent effort. The patient may wake up still feeling tired as if he had not slept, which affects his ability to carry out his daily tasks.

Sleep disorders

Despite feeling extremely exhausted, the patient may find it difficult to sleep or sleep intermittently and uncomfortable, and even when he gets a sufficient number of hours of sleep, he wakes up feeling very sluggish because the body has not reached the stage of deep sleep sufficient to regain activity.

Difficulty concentrating and memory (brain fog)

Difficulty concentrating and memory are symptoms of fibromyalgia attacks. During an attack, the patient may have difficulty concentrating or remembering simple information. He may also notice slow thinking or difficulty following a conversation or completing daily tasks, and this may cause him to feel frustrated or stressed.

Headache and facial pain

Many sufferers suffer from severe headaches or migraines during attacks, and the pain may extend to the jaw or face, making eating or talking uncomfortable.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Symptoms of fibromyalgia attacks include bloating, gas formation, constipation, or diarrhea. Some patients may also suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, and abdominal pain accompanies the attack or increases with stress.

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Is fibromyalgia a mental illness?

Fibromyalgia is not a mental illness, but rather a chronic medical condition characterized by widespread pain in the muscles and soft tissues accompanied by other symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and problems concentrating. Fibromyalgia is considered a disorder in the way the nervous system processes pain, as the brain sends pain signals even in the absence of obvious injury or physical damage, and this is what distinguishes it from traditional mental illnesses.

However, the psychological aspect plays an important role in the development and exacerbation of the symptoms of fibromyalgia attacks, as stress, anxiety, and depression are common among those affected. They may increase the severity of pain and fatigue and affect the quality of sleep, making the symptoms appear more severe. This may be misunderstood as the cause of the disease when it is only an influencing factor.

The relationship between fibromyalgia and the psychological state is complex and intertwined, as chronic pain affects the psychological state and vice versa. Therefore, modern treatment focuses on combining drug treatments, psychological support, and behavioral interventions to improve the patient’s quality of life.

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Frequently asked questions

How does a fibromyalgia attack occur?

A fibromyalgia attack is a period in which the symptoms of fibromyalgia attacks increase clearly and suddenly compared to the patient's normal days, as the person feels more widespread pain in the muscles and joints, and the pain may take the form of tingling, burning, or stiffness in the body, in addition to a severe feeling of fatigue, even with the slightest effort.

What are the degrees of fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is not officially classified into specific degrees, but its severity can generally be divided into three levels, which are as follows:

• The first level: It is mild, where symptoms are present, but their impact is limited on daily life, and the patient can perform his activities with some difficulty, and pain and fatigue are within tolerable limits.
• The second level: is moderate, where symptoms increase and significantly affect the patient’s ability to practice his activities. Sleep quality also decreases, the ability to concentrate is weakened, and pain becomes more widespread.
• The third level: is severe, where the symptoms are strong and persistent and hinder many daily activities, and the patient needs continuous medical and psychological follow-up due to the severity of the pain and fatigue.

Does fibromyalgia cause dry eyes?

Yes, fibromyalgia may cause dry eyes in some patients because the disease affects the nerves and senses, which may reduce the production of tears or change the quality of tears. This leads to a feeling of dryness and irritation in the eyes, in addition to the fatigue and stress that accompany fibromyalgia exacerbates this problem.

What are the daily struggles of fibromyalgia?

The daily struggles that fibromyalgia patients face include many difficulties that greatly affect their lives, including the following:

• A constant feeling of pain and fatigue that makes performing the simplest activities, such as walking or standing for long periods, difficult.
• Sleep disorders that prevent getting adequate rest despite feeling extremely tired, which exacerbates the symptoms.
• Problems with concentration and memory cause feelings of frustration and affect performance at work and daily life.
• Increased sensitivity to light, sounds, and smells that sometimes make the surrounding environment unpleasant.
• Stress and anxiety resulting from persistent symptoms and difficulty controlling them.
• Feeling socially isolated as a result of being unable to participate in normal activities or express suffering.

In the end, we find that fibromyalgia attacks are one of the major difficulties facing those affected and their impact extends to include the physical and psychological aspects. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the symptoms of fibromyalgia attacks and respond to them quickly by following appropriate methods of dealing and requesting medical and psychological support when needed, which contributes to reducing their severity and improving life despite the difficulty of the disease. This disease can be controlled by seeking help from the doctors of the Well-Being Center affiliated with Al-Mousa Health Hospital, awareness, patience and continuous follow-up.

Sources 

Symptoms – nhs

Fibromyalgia – clevelandclinic