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Fatigue — a feeling of exhaustion or weakness that doesn’t go away with rest — is a common symptom among MyFibroTeam members. For some people, it’s especially challenging because it’s a fibromyalgia symptom other people can’t see.
People with fibromyalgia describe fatigue differently. One member shared it “feels like you are walking through molasses or it feels like the earth’s core is pulling you down.”
Another said, “I describe my fatigue as like being administered anesthesia! I feel drugged! No amount of sleep can help!”
Another added, “It feels like a bad flu, like I’ve been beaten with a bat, confused and just so tired no matter how much sleep I get.”
If you’ve been wondering why fibromyalgia leads to fatigue like this, here’s what you need to know. You’ll also discover tips on how to manage it, since less fatigue may help improve your quality of life and sense of well-being.
Fatigue is a common symptom of fibromyalgia. One older study noted that about 76 percent of people living with fibromyalgia list fatigue as one of their symptoms. There are a few ways that fibromyalgia could lead to fatigue.
One theory is that people diagnosed with fibromyalgia have different things going on in their brains than those without the diagnosis. The thalamus is a part of the brain that interprets sensory data and helps your brain decide what to focus on. People with less gray matter in their thalamus experience more fatigue. It’s possible that the constant information fibromyalgia sends to the brain about chronic pain overloads the thalamus, leading to less gray matter and more fatigue.
People living with fibromyalgia are also likely to have more immune cell activation in the central nervous system. This is also connected to feeling more fatigue.
Finally, there may be a disconnection between how strenuous an activity actually is and how strenuous the brains of people with fibromyalgia think it is. When your body thinks it’s working very hard, it feels more tired.
Struggling to sleep is also common in people with fibromyalgia. You may find that you don’t sleep deeply or that you seem to sleep but then you don’t feel rested when you wake up. Some people with fibromyalgia may also have insomnia or other sleep disorders, like sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome. These may also cause poor sleep, sleep disturbances, and problems with how rested you feel. If you’re not sleeping well, it makes sense that you would feel fatigued.
Living with fibromyalgia means that your muscles don’t work as efficiently as they should. They need a lot more fuel than those of people without fibromyalgia. Because your muscles don’t always relax between contractions and don’t work as well together as they could, you’re more likely to feel fatigued.
Fibromyalgia can also lead to changes in the way your body produces melatonin. This chemical tells your body when to sleep and when to wake up. When you don’t have enough melatonin at the right times and have too much at the wrong times, it can lead to problems sleeping. It can also make you feel sleepy when you should be wide awake.
Sometimes, fatigue in people diagnosed with fibromyalgia can be caused by something unrelated to that diagnosis. Certain health conditions and nutritional deficiencies, like depression, anemia, and a variety of other issues, can make you feel tired.
If you’re experiencing new fatigue or fatigue that’s worse than usual, it’s important to talk to your rheumatology team. They can help you figure out if your tiredness is related to fibromyalgia or caused by something else.
People experience fibromyalgia fatigue differently. Some MyFibroTeam members find that they don’t even want to leave their beds. One shared, “I seem to get daily fatigue around 6:15 to 7 p.m., where I cannot keep my eyes open. Sometimes, I can barely get out of bed.”
Another added, “Fatigue is unbearable, you are so tired, drained, and can’t function, and you just want to stay in bed all of the time.”
Many find that everyday tasks take a lot of extra effort when they’re feeling fatigued. “Fatigue wipes out,” one member said. “It leaves you like an old, damp, worn-out cloth, with no energy and no strength. Getting out of a chair and walking is terribly hard.”
A lot of people push through their fatigue even if they can’t do as much as they want. One member explained, “I manage to push through my work days and just crash when I get home. I almost never cook anymore.”
Another said, “Sometimes I feel like I am falling asleep while standing.”
There are a number of things you can do to manage fatigue associated with fibromyalgia. Some are lifestyle changes, while others are medical interventions.
A wide variety of medications can help with both the treatment of fibromyalgia and fatigue, depending on the cause. Once you and your rheumatologist figure out what’s causing your fatigue, treatment options involving medication can help.
Options include:
Some MyFibroTeam members have found quite a bit of relief through medications. One shared, “I take Elavil to help me sleep through the night. It works and takes away a good chunk of my fatigue. I also take a B complex vitamin daily, though that only started working when I got restful sleep.”
Many people with fibromyalgia feel too fatigued to get regular exercise, and some find that exercise makes their fatigue worse. One member who felt this way said, “I wish I could exercise. Like today I want to do yoga, but inevitably, I will probably nap and maybe read or color. I have to learn to accept that this is my life now!”
This makes sense, as pushing too hard on good days might make things worse.
Even if you can’t exercise, moving regularly may help improve your sleep. Simply moving around your house a little bit every hour could make a difference in how you sleep at night. You can set most smartwatches to remind you to move in case you forget.
Eating plenty of protein, staying hydrated, and avoiding simple sugars and carbs could help your energy even out. Your energy level spikes when you eat these things and then crashes about an hour later.
If you’re not sure what to eat, talk to your healthcare provider to get an appointment with a registered dietitian. They can help you plan your meals and your grocery shopping to ensure you have the nutrition you need.
You should also talk to your healthcare team about supplements. There are supplements to help you sleep at night and supplements to help you stay awake during the day. Make sure you take these under the direction of your doctor so you can get the most out of them and avoid any side effects. You may also need to avoid certain supplements if you have other medical conditions.
Planning for economical movement and plenty of rest may help keep fatigue at bay. Use ergonomic chairs, pillows, mattresses, and more. Make sure you don’t sit or hold yourself in a position that makes your muscles feel fatigued. Use pillows if you need to so you can stay as comfortable as possible.
Lowering your stress levels may help your fatigue. There are online courses you can take to learn stress management techniques. Some people find meditation helpful, while others just try to laugh more often. Reaching out to a friend to connect over something you love or have a good talk might help too.
On MyFibroTeam, people share their experiences with fibromyalgia, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
How has fatigue from fibromyalgia affected your life? Let others know in the comments below.
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Traveling really takes it out of me. Went to my uncles funeral, about 300 miles from where I live and had to go immediately to the visitation.I was so wiped out by time it was over, i spent that night… read more
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