Fibromyalgia and Autism

Shared Symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Autism

As more and more research is performed on fibromyalgia, we are finding that several other conditions that a person may suffer from are related to having fibromyalgia.

However, despite all the research that has been done, there are still tons of questions. There are still studies that are being performed on hypothesis and have yet to be duplicated, thus they are not considered concrete evidence just yet.

The connection between fibromyalgia and autism is present. It is not that the fibromyalgia is causing autism in a person.

However, there is a connection that many people would not even dream of seeing.

This connection is that when you look at adults who suffer from fibromyalgia, you find that there are underlying processes in the body that are causing the pain and fatigue that they are feeling.

Those professionals who work with fibromyalgia adults are finding that these are the same processes they are seeing in children who have autism.

Ultimately, many medical professionals are finding that whatever it is that causes fibromyalgia and even CFS in adults, is the same that is happening in children who are diagnosed with autism.

The Relationship

After several rounds of research, many medical professionals are now able to shed light on just what the connection is between these two disorders.

The study parameters:

  • This study treated 30 children who have autism
  • These children were divided into 2 groups: one group was given a dose of 50 mg of L-carnitine for every kilogram of body weight, while the other was given a placebo.
  • The children were given this medication for three months in order to monitor improvements

There were significant improvements in those kids who were taking L-carnitine. L-carnitine has also been shown to help those who are suffering from CFS or Fibromyalgia as well.

Given that the same drug could help to treat both disorders along with autism, it shows that the connection between all these is strong.

What is L-Carnitine?

L-Carnitine or Carnitine as many people call it is a substance that helps the body to turn fat into energy. Most people find that their body produces enough of this on their own.

However, as a medicine to give to fibromyalgia or autism patients, it acts as an antioxidant. When antioxidants are introduced into the body they can help to neutralize the free radicals in the body and help reduce or prevent damage that is caused by these free radicals.

For those who suffer from fatigue that causes them to lose their concentration or focus, L-Carnitine can give this back to them.

They often find that they are able to concentrate, the fatigue they feel is less, and many fibromyalgia patients report having less pain.

It can be a great supplement for those who are dealing with these issues day in and day out.

Shared Symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Autism

For those who are suffering from fibromyalgia, they often find that there are several symptoms that they struggle with on a day to day basis.

The same can be said of those who have autism. However, it takes many people some time to see that many of the symptoms are shared by both illnesses.

These shared symptoms include:

  1. Aches and pains are seen all the time in fibromyalgia patients. However, those who have kids who do have autism will often find that they too may complain of a few aches and pains from time to time.
  2. Sensitives to smells, textures and the like are something that both types of illnesses have in common.
  3. The digestive issues! Many of those who suffer from fibromyalgia have IBS that affects everything that they do. The same can be said of those children who are suffering from autism.

What many people are finding is that both of these illnesses are stemming from the mind. What is that causes these in people, to begin with?

This is something that studies are working to figure out. However, it also leads to the question, could those who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia today been diagnosed with autism when they were younger?

If these two illnesses were something that was talked about then?

For example, many people who have fibromyalgia now that are older often talk of issues they had when they were younger. These issues are often associated with having autism.

However, this term was not well known over twenty years ago. Instead, these people were given a diagnosis of having a learning disorder or simply being a problem child.

It has led many people to believe that autism as a child means you are more likely to develop fibromyalgia as an adult.

Fibromyalgia and Autism

Treating Fibromyalgia and Autism

With both, if these illnesses, you are going to find that treatment is really trial and error. Why is this?

Sensitivities to medications are one of the biggest things that people are worried about. Those who have either of these illnesses are often more sensitive than someone else.

Therefore, they must be careful about what they do and what they take. Most people find that homeopathic treatments are some of the best ways to treat this.

This may include:

  • Getting enough exercise
  • Taking various therapies such as physical therapy or massage therapy
  • Trying to keep the outside world from becoming too much when dealing with sensitives to sound, light or textures
  • Talking with others who may be suffering from the same issues
  • Getting a good night’s sleep
  • Trying to stick to a schedule at all times

The key to living with either of these illnesses is realizing that there is no cure. This is something that you are going to have to deal with for the rest of your life.

Thus, it is imperative to find a routine that works and that is going to let you have the most fulfilling life that you can have.

Talking and working with your doctor is the only way that you are going to get this type of help.

6 Comments

  1. I am very interested in this topic and would like more information. Your article mentions research that has been done. Can you post links to these studies or post the titles and authors so I can learn more? Thank you.

  2. Tyler Neudorf

    I was diagnosed with fibro 4 years ago and celiac 11 years ago. I just learned that there is a link from autism, to fibro, then it looks like they maybe there is a link to, M.S ….

  3. This is very concerning for me since I’ve been diagnosed with Fibro and my 6 year old son is autistic with adhd and early bipolar. I’m extremely social,smart in a book smart way. My son is sooo smart!!
    But I
    Can’t agree to accept
    This
    Yet. My anxiety is mainly due to loss of myself once this “syndrome”
    Hit! Still can’t believe this is real sometimes. Very sublime. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone much less on someone who is already struggling

  4. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at 21 years old after having my neurotypical son from a previous marriage. I was first tested for lupus because my great aunt has lupus and I was losing feeling in my legs. After I had my neurotypical son I had 2 boys on opposite ends of the spectrum and a neurotypical (so far) daughter. We had genetics tests that came back negative. My hubby and I both took the AQ test and Aspie quiz with both of us having higher than normal autistic tendencies. I wish I could know more about both fibro and autism.

  5. Christopher Twells

    I developed CFS from a virus in 1993 in 2000 it changed to Fibromyalgia now at my age of 70 i have been diagnosed with Aspergers, I look forward to future discoveries.
    I am about to try Acetyl L-Carnitine fingers crossed.
    Christopher

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