When waking up just doesn’t mean waking up.
Everyone knows what it is like to be tired—to feel so worn out that you barely feel like yourself. There are long days, short nights and long to-do lists that will push your energy level to the limits, and the result of this is days that are filled with fatigue. But for some people this experience of mind-numbing fatigue isn’t a once-in-a-while thing, it is an everyday thing. This is the case for those who struggle with fibromyalgia, but the problem is that many people don’t realize that there is actually a medical reason that is causing the excessive tiredness.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes muscle and skeletal pain across the body. The symptoms of fibromyalgia are often widespread and will often start off mild but will grow more intense over time. The pain, fatigue and tenderness associated with fibromyalgia unfortunately becomes a way of life for those who struggle with this disease, but one of the most frustrating symptoms of the condition is definitely the extreme fatigue that is associated with the disorder.
Chronic fatigue is one of the most common and often the most severe symptom of fibromyalgia, coming in only behind the deep muscle pain and body aches that only compliment and often further the feeling of tiredness and fatigue.
The fatigue with fibromyalgia doesn’t go away after a good night’s sleep or a strong cup of coffee. On good days a nap might help, but those with FMS know all too well the way that the insomnia and muscle aches weigh on the mind and body day after day. Turning to caffeine or sugary items to try to wake up can actually backfire, making it more difficult to get restful sleep later on.
There are ways to combat the fatigue of fibromyalgia, however. While every person responds differently, these strategies include:
- Taking vitamin supplements, including vitamin D
- Reducing caffeine intake
- Alternative treatments like chiropractic care and acupuncture
- Stress management
- Medical weight loss
Many people who struggle with fibromyalgia report that the mental fatigue and tiredness is actually more difficult to deal with than the muscle pain itself. Making regular improvements in your health by increasing vitamin intake and making healthy dietary changes can help you overcome the feeling of intense fatigue that holds so many with FMS back.
Not all cases of chronic fatigue are associated with fibromyalgia, but if you are experiencing daily fatigue that doesn’t seem to go away despite your best efforts to sleep, then you may want to talk to your functional medicine doctor about potential treatment options. Working closely with your functional medicine doctor you can find healthy solutions that could help you finally get a peaceful night’s rest and wake feeling refreshed.
