Fibromyalgia
Living with fibromyalgia is exhausting. The pain moves, the fatigue is deep, sleep is unrefreshing, and often nothing shows up on the scan or blood test. Please know that your pain is real. My role is to confirm the diagnosis, look carefully for anything that may be feeding it, and build a plan you can actually live with.
What fibromyalgia is
Fibromyalgia is a condition where the nervous system becomes more sensitive to pain signals. It is not caused by joint damage or inflammation, which is why blood tests and scans are usually normal. This does not make the pain any less real. Fibromyalgia often overlaps with poor sleep, fatigue, low mood, brain fog and irritable bowel symptoms.
Symptoms to look out for
Widespread pain on both sides of the body, above and below the waist, for more than 3 months
Deep tiredness that is not fully relieved by rest
Unrefreshing sleep, or waking up feeling as tired as when you went to bed
Trouble with concentration or memory, sometimes called 'fibro fog'
Sensitivity to touch, light, sound or temperature
Headaches, jaw pain, or irritable bowel symptoms
Anxiety or low mood that can come and go with the pain
Why this matters to a rheumatologist
As a rheumatologist, I see fibromyalgia both on its own and alongside other rheumatic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjögren's disease. My first job is to make sure we are not missing an inflammatory condition, a thyroid issue, vitamin D deficiency, or another treatable cause of widespread pain. Once we have done that, I can confidently make the diagnosis and focus on management.
Signs I would like you to seek care for
For emergency symptoms please seek urgent or emergency care first rather than waiting for a WhatsApp reply.
New joint swelling, redness or warmth (not typical of fibromyalgia)
Fever, unexplained weight loss, or drenching night sweats
New rashes, mouth ulcers, or hair loss
Muscle weakness rather than just pain
Numbness, tingling or weakness in an arm or leg
Severe worsening of mood or thoughts of self harm, which needs urgent support
What a specialist review looks like
In clinic I take a full history, examine you carefully, and order targeted tests to rule out other causes. I then explain fibromyalgia in plain language so you understand what is happening in your body. Treatment is not about a single tablet. We look at sleep, gentle graded exercise, pacing, stress and mood, and where useful, medications that quiet the pain pathways. My goal is to help you feel more in control, not just more medicated.
Questions my patients often ask me
Speak with me
If widespread pain and fatigue have taken over your days, please seek specialist care. I would like to look at the full picture with you and build a plan that fits your life.
Other conditions I treat
This page is for general education only and does not replace medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.