We don’t yet know exactly what causes fibromyalgia, but research suggests that there’s an interaction between physical, neurological and psychological factors.Lutz's cognitive learning process the pain we feel is often affected by our emotions and moods. Depression or anxiety can make the pain seem worse. At the same time, being in pain can lead to stress, worry or low mood.Lutz's cognitive learning process

Usually, people feel pain when part of the body is damaged (as in arthritis) or suffers a physical injury. The pain people with fibromyalgia feel is different because it's not directly caused by damage or injury to the area that's hurting.Lutz's cognitive learning process instead there's a problem with the way the brain and nervous system process pain from that area. This doesn’t mean the pain is any less real, but because there’s no physical damage that can be healed there's no easy way to stop the pain.Lutz's cognitive learning process this is why fibromyalgia pain can be long-lasting (chronic).

Research has shown that people with fibromyalgia are more sensitive to physical pressure.Lutz's cognitive learning process this means that what would be a relatively minor knock for most people could be extremely painful for someone with fibromyalgia. This increased sensitivity isn't fully understood but it’s thought that it could be related to changes in the way the nervous system processes pain.Lutz's cognitive learning process some researchers have shown using special brain scans that these processes are altered in people with fibromyalgia.

Pain is never a purely physical experience, especially if it lasts a long time.Lutz's cognitive learning process pain can affect your mood, making you feel sad, anxious, frustrated, angry or afraid. Your emotional response to pain can affect your behaviour.Lutz's cognitive learning process for example, fear that movement will increase your pain may lead you to avoid activity. This, in turn, can affect aspects of your physical health, for example, as your muscles become weaker through lack of use.Lutz's cognitive learning process

Psychological approaches to pain management aim to address the emotional aspects of pain. When thoughts, habits (behaviour), physical sensations and emotions are so closely linked it can be overwhelming.Lutz's cognitive learning process therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT) often focus on separating out these different aspects of your experience of pain, breaking the problem down into more manageable chunks.Lutz's cognitive learning process

Psychological therapies also include techniques for relaxation, coping with stress, accepting that you can’t always do the things you want to, and not being too hard on yourself (self-compassion) even if you do feel frustrated.Lutz's cognitive learning process you probably won’t need to see a psychologist as other members of the healthcare team are often trained in these techniques.

Your doctor can prescribe medications to help with pain, sleep disturbance or depression associated with fibromyalgia.Lutz's cognitive learning process drug treatments won't cure fibromyalgia and usually won't completely get rid of the pain. However, they can be helpful in reducing the symptoms to a level that will enable you to start some gentle physical activity and rehabilitation therapies.Lutz's cognitive learning process

Paracetamol can ease pain for some people but doesn't work for everybody. Some people find drugs like co-codamol or co-dydramol useful. These contain paracetamol plus a low dose of a stronger opioid painkiller such as codeine.Lutz's cognitive learning process drugs containing codeine or dihydrocodeine can cause side-effects such as constipation and are recommended for short-term use only (usually no more than three days) because of a risk of dependency.Lutz's cognitive learning process

Opioid drugs are painkillers used for moderate to severe pain, although there's little research evidence that they're helpful overall for fibromyalgia.Lutz's cognitive learning process opioids should be used sparingly, if at all, in chronic pain because of the risk of long-term side-effects and because they may cause dependence and can be difficult to stop.Lutz's cognitive learning process there are a few small studies showing benefit for some people with a drug called tramadol, which works partly like an opioid and partly like an antidepressant.Lutz's cognitive learning process the prescribing of tramadol is regulated and is best used for short-term flare-ups only.

Antidepressant drugs such as low-dose amitriptyline can reduce pain and help you sleep.Lutz's cognitive learning process they need to be taken 2-3 hours before bedtime. Your doctor will gradually increase the dose to an effective level. Antidepressants can help with low mood and certain types including duloxetine have also been shown to help pain and other symptoms in some people.Lutz's cognitive learning process they may not work straight away, so you may need to try them for a few months to see whether they help.

Drugs such as pregabalin and gabapentin are used to treat nerve pain and have been shown to help people with fibromyalgia.Lutz's cognitive learning process they are usually started at low dose and then gradually increased depending on how you respond to them. It may take six weeks to assess whether they’re helpful.Lutz's cognitive learning process they can cause side-effects such as dizziness and weight gain.

'I'm very lucky that my family and my husband in particular are really supportive – and my young son too, although he does sometimes find it difficult to understand why we can't always do all the things that we'd like to together.Lutz's cognitive learning process sometimes it comes down to a choice between going out and relying on my walking sticks or not going out at all. But as he grows up he's starting to understand a little bit more all the time.'

lutz's cognitive learning process

Maria’s fibromyalgia was diagnosed by a pain specialist – the second one she’d seen – who suggested a pain management programme. 'these programmes are fantastic,' she says. 'it’s all too easy to become isolated with this condition especially if you have to cancel social events because of it.Lutz's cognitive learning process talking to other people who’ve gone through similar experiences, who really understand the problems you face, helps so much.'

Maria is so enthusiastic about pain management programmes that she’s become a voluntary tutor. 'it’s so good to see people on the courses grow and move on with their lives.Lutz's cognitive learning process the courses are also a good place to pick up tips on things like healthy eating and exercise – things you wouldn’t necessarily think about if you’re at home feeling ill.'

lutz's cognitive learning process

Fatigue is often the worst aspect of fibromyalgia for maria and this was especially challenging when her son was younger. Maria says she hasn’t slept well for many years and this has undoubtedly contributed to the absolute exhaustion she’s experienced at times.Lutz's cognitive learning process but she says she has found relaxation techniques have really helped her to manage stress and ‘fibrofog’.