Fibromyalgia and Pregnancy

Women with fibromyalgia will experience worsening of their symptoms during pregnancy.

Some physicians argue that certain symptoms disappear during pregnancy due to changes in a woman’s hormones.

They have found that women have the typical pregnancy symptoms of headaches, morning sickness, and dizziness in the first trimester but may suffer flares in fibromyalgia symptoms in the third trimester.

Many physicians recommend their fibromyalgia patients to discontinue their medications during pregnancy. No medications have been found to be completely safe for a pregnant woman. The important time in the development of your baby is the first four to six weeks.

This is why it is wise to plan your pregnancy at least a year in advance so you can arrange when you will discontinue your medications. Doctors agree that the best cure for chronic pain during pregnancy is exercise, massage therapy, meditation, rest and relaxation.

Natural and peaceful forms of exercise are suitable for pregnant women, particularly those with fibromyalgia. Some of these exercises may include aquatic exercise, Pilates, yoga [Yoga Pose Basics], and stretching, especially back stretching.

You can also go for heat therapy, like a warm bath, but the temperature of the water should not exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Physical therapy can be continued after the birth of your baby to get rid off pain and depression with doctor’s advice. Women with fibromyalgia need to consider the issue of breastfeeding as this affects medication use and sleep schedule.

Risk factors of Fibromyalgia:

Risk factors for getting Fibromyalgia:

1. Age plays an important role in determining who will develop the disease. Women develop this disease during their childbearing years. Diagnosis typically takes place between the ages of 20 and 55. However, elderly men and women can also develop the disease. Children rarely develop fibromyalgia.
2. Gender plays a large role in determining who develops fibromyalgia syndrome. Though both men and women develop the disease, women are much affected than men do. Between 80% and 90% of those affected by the syndrome are female. It is unknown why the disease seems to affect so many women.
3. Sleep disorders have been proven to be one of the root causes of this disease. Many fibromyalgia sufferers have sleep disorders and, as a result, become very exhausted. If you have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea, you may be at increased risk for developing fibromyalgia.
4. Genes may contribute to the development of this disease. Research indicates that women who have a close family member with the syndrome are more likely to develop fibromyalgia themselves. This may be due to a genetic deficiency passed along at birth.
5. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis which causes degeneration of the joints. It is linked with pain and disability. people suffering from osteoarthritis are more likely to develop fibromyalgia. Between 10% and 15% of osteoarthritis sufferers also have fibromyalgia.
6. You are at increased risk of developing fibromyalgia syndrome, if you are diagnosed with Lupus. Like fibromyalgia, lupus affects mostly women and causes symptoms of pain and fatigue. Up to 30% of lupus sufferers are eventually diagnosed with fibromyalgia.