How is fibromyalgia treated?

Fibromyalgia can involve widespread muscle aches or joint pain, fatigue, poor sleep and difficulty concentrating. Symptoms can fluctuate, so treatment usually focuses on improving function and making flare-ups more manageable rather than chasing one single cause.

A GP consultation can review your symptoms, medicines, sleep and mood, while checking for other conditions that may need separate treatment. Blood tests may be suggested when symptoms or examination findings point to another explanation; a vitamin D test is one example when clinically appropriate.

Start with small, regular amounts of walking, stretching, strengthening or water-based exercise, increasing only when your body is coping. Physiotherapy can help pace activity, protect against boom-and-bust cycles and adapt exercises around pain and fatigue.

Regular sleep and wake times, calming routines and planned rest can support energy. Your clinician may discuss medicines for pain, sleep or mood, but these should be selected and adjusted with attention to side effects and other treatments. Tracking symptoms can reveal triggers and useful patterns.

Arrange a review if fatigue, pain or sleep problems are reducing daily function, or if your current plan is no longer helping. Seek urgent care for chest pain, severe breathlessness, sudden weakness, new confusion or thoughts of harming yourself; these symptoms need prompt assessment rather than being assumed to be fibromyalgia.

Which symptom should we target first? How can I increase activity without triggering a flare? Do my symptoms suggest another condition or a useful test, and how will we review treatment?