You already know that muscles are the single most impacted part of our bodies when we get Fibromyalgia.
So, whether we are talking about diagnosing or treating the condition, we have to talk about our muscles.
One of, if not the, most common symptom of Fibromyalgia is the tremors, sometimes referred to as shakes, spasms or twitches. These can be very scary to experience, especially for those of us new to the condition.
So, we have written this article with you in mind, and we will discuss what Fibromyalgia Tremors are, what causes them, and how you can treat them.
What Are Fibromyalgia Tremors and How Do They Feel?
These tremors can affect any part of the body, that’s part of what makes them unique to each individual.
Many report uncontrollable shaking in the arms and/or hands, legs, torso, or even from within their body.
They can happen almost anytime, although many sufferers may notice that their tremors are cyclical.
Basically, that means that they will experience the same sensation in the same part of the body almost every episode.
Fibromyalgia Tremors, as mentioned, is unique to some degree, but in all instances are involuntary and painful.
While those of us with Fibromyalgia will experience tremors, they are not always an indication of the condition.
If I Experience Tremors Does That Mean I Have Fibromyalgia?
Not necessarily. If you have experienced shaking/spasms/tremors then you know it is scary, but Fibromyalgia is not the only condition that can cause such symptoms.
Problems with hormones, neurotransmission issues, and even your diet can lead to tremors. Solving whatever the problem is will make the shaking stop, so make sure you and your doctor know what the problem is!
Seek medical advice if you are experiencing tremors to confirm the cause, but it may be Fibromyalgia if they are coupled with some of the following symptoms:
- Widespread pain throughout your body
- Extreme Sensitivity
- Stiffness
- Fatigue
- Poor sleep quality
- Cognitive problems/”brain fog”
- Headaches
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Dizziness/clumsiness
- Feeling too hot or cold
- Restless legs
- Pins and needles (tingling or numbness in extremities)
- Unusual anxiety or depression
- Unusually painful menstruation (for women only, of course)
How Harmful Are Fibromyalgia Tremors?
Good news; in and of themselves these tremors will not negatively affect your health in the future. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore them.
Anytime your body shakes involuntarily there is a reason for it. Just because tremors won’t seriously affect your health, that doesn’t mean that whatever is causing them won’t.
Fibromyalgia is a serious condition, so if you suspect you may be affected, seek medical assistance.
Also, the tremors won’t do any medical harm to your body, but they may negatively affect your life in other ways.
-If the tremors come at night, you may find sleeping difficult. Lack of sleep is very serious, and hinders our brains in many ways, making everything more difficult.
-Tremors can happen when walking, making moving around tough. This can become serious if you are out and about a lot.
-Tremors have been known to occur in the chest, making it almost feel like a heart attack.
Why Do Fibromyalgia Tremors Happen?
The easy way to explain them is that they occur when the nerves inside your muscles decide to move without you telling them to. However, as far as the cause goes, the medical community is still unsure of exactly why.
One theory is that it comes from anxiety and stress. People sometimes develop a ‘twitch’ after experiencing something very stressful, and Fibromyalgia is certainly that.
Anxiety and stress work on our bodies in an unconscious way, sometimes involuntarily tightening our muscles, which makes our muscles normal job more difficult.
This can also add tension in our muscles, forcing our nerves to work harder than normal.
Injuries, especially serious ones, can also lead to tremors. If nerves become damaged they won’t be able to respond like they usually would.
Really the one thing every doctor and scientist can agree on is that tremors happen when nerves get damaged.
What Can I Do to Manage My Fibromyalgia Tremors?
Unfortunately, the medical community is not able to cure Fibromyalgia (at least as of the time of writing). However, we do now know enough about the condition to manage the symptoms, even Fibromyalgia Tremors!
Light Exercise
As you already know it can be really painful to stay active when you have Fibromyalgia, but if you can do light exercises or even just stretch and move around a little bit, that will help.
The movement will release tension in your muscles, improve blood flow, and can even have a positive mental impact on you.
You don’t need to enter an ‘Iron Man’ competition, just take a walk around the block or stretch out your problem area.
Warm Bath
Taking a warm bath is using the same sort of idea as exercise; relax your muscles. The warmth of the water will help relieve any tension in your muscles, easing pain, and also calming your mind.
Warm baths can also help the natural pain from Fibromyalgia, so you’ll get an added benefit. If you want to really give yourself a boost, take a warm bath after your light exercise.
Medication
If your Fibromyalgia Tremors are bad enough, your doctor may recommend taking prescription drugs. Muscles relaxers, anti-spasmodic medications, and others have all been prescribed to Fibromyalgia patients.
If you do not want to take prescription drugs, some patients have had success with homeopathic methods.
Ask your doctor before engaging in such activities, but both physical and electrical therapy has been used in the past.
Conclusion
Tremors are not always caused by Fibromyalgia, but when they are it is a real pain. If you think you may have Fibromyalgia, see your doctor immediately.
If you already have Fibromyalgia Tremors, we hope you will try light exercise, warm baths, or possibly even something stronger to manage your symptoms.
With patience and dedication, you can, and will, live your life to the fullest, condition, or no!
