I believe it is from the ebstein barr virus. It lies dormant in our bodies until a tramatic injury or anything traumatic like a death or divorce. Then it comes out and shows itself. This is from research i have read on medical medium on facebook. I also have asked people in the last 30 years of living with fibro if they had the ebstein barr virus or mono. Most of them did or remember having a time in their lives when they could do nothing but sleep for weeks. I was in bed for 3 weeks non stop with mono.ithen 6 months coming home from school and slept till the morning. If anyone is interested, read his research on medical medium on fb. I hope it helps. Hugs

Hi! I have had mono..quad accident.. degenerative disc disease.. generalized anxiety disorders and depression.
I have been going to see a psychoanalysist for some issues in my past..I was diagnosed with PTSD and neglect. I love these sessions.. My psychoanalysist is highly intelligent. He was a philosophy professor for twenty years. He currently holds a PhD and attended 11 more years of training to become an analyst.
While in my sessions he informed me that there is a direct correlation between fibromyalgia and PTSD. I also have sleep apnea which he says is related to trauma too.
I hate being in pain... But I am happy to put the pieces to the puzzle together.
It's frustrating when people don't believe you.. But I can understand because it's hard for me to make sense of it.

@A MyFibroTeam Member I'm leaning towards the theory that a combination of factors, environmental, genetic and situational lead our nervous system into a constant state of high alert. When in fight or flight mode you do not sleep and your digestive system is on low priority (IBS and all the other digestive issues we get ). After a prolonged period of high alert something that breaks the camels back like surgery, an accident, an illness, an infectious happens that cements the pattern of pain response. The "trigger" so many people recall. Mine was a prolonged infection after a cat bite. If you are seeing a counselor ask about CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ).There are many reports that it helps people manage chronic pain. I've been trying to read up on it.

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A MyFibro...

I never had mono. I've been in five car accidents--four that were within a period of six months. My dad suffered from PSD. In those days it wasn't as recognized. He would binge drink. You never knew when your world would turn upside down. I was bullied a lot in school. My best friend from school who had similar traumas---has fibro also.

Recent research shows a genetic link, but personally I don't think a person develops fibromyalgia unless they've had some physical or psychological traumas. Right before I developed this illness I had 2 extremely painful surgeries and suffered a highly traumatic event. I had also been sexually abused as a child. I never had mono, but everyone on this site I've been in contact with had something happen, whether it was an auto accident or a prolonged illness. I think there has to be a trigger for the fibromyalgia to manifest. I'm sure a cure will be found in most of our life times.