Fibromyalgia and Sleep

How Does Fibromyalgia Affect Sleep?

It is widely believed that people with fibromyalgia have a lower pressure-pain threshold than those who don’t live with this condition, making them more sensitive to pain. This is known as “abnormal pain perception processing.” Neuroimaging studies appear to back up this claim, as these tests reveal similar neural activation between people with fibromyalgia and healthy, non-affected adults.

Non-restorative sleep and daytime fatigue are two common symptoms of fibromyalgia. Some polysomnographic data suggests people with the condition experience wakefulness during the non-rapid eye movement (NREM) stages of the sleep cycle and receive less slow-wave sleep as a result.

Sleep and fibromyalgia share a bidirectional relationship. Just as painful symptoms can prevent patients from getting enough rest, sleep deprivation can exacerbate the widespread feelings of pain and tenderness brought on by fibromyalgia. Sleep loss can also lower a person’s pain threshold. As a result, lack of sleep or poor sleep quality may cause fibromyalgia symptoms to occur in otherwise healthy people.

While fibromyalgia can occur at any age, most patients are middle-aged. Additionally, 80-90% of people with fibromyalgia Trusted Source National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NICCH) NCCIH funds and conducts research to help answer important scientific and public health questions about complementary health approaches. View Source are women. Certain diseases can increase one’s risk of developing fibromyalgia symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, spinal arthritis, and lupus. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to two sleep disorders, insomnia and restless legs syndrome.

Fibromyalgia and Insomnia

Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep despite the means and opportunity to get an adequate amount of rest each night. People with insomnia also experience daytime impairments such as fatigue, mood disturbances, and reduced motivation and energy.

Insomnia often occurs in people with fibromyalgia. Insomnia, non-restorative sleep, and fatigue are commonly used as markers for a fibromyalgia diagnosis. Since lack of sleep can decrease your pain threshold, insomnia can also worsen fibromyalgia symptoms.

Insomnia patients may receive cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), a structured and evidence-based treatment program that pinpoints thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that may be contributing to their symptoms. One recent study found that CBT-I can slow or reverse atrophy of the gray matter Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source in the central nervous system, a common issue that occurs in people with fibromyalgia.

Another study explored the effect of sleep medication Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source on widespread pain caused by fibromyalgia. Participants with fibromyalgia who were administered suvorexant, a medication approved for the treatment of insomnia, slept longer and experienced less pain the next day compared to participants who took a placebo.

If you live with insomnia and fibromyalgia, we recommend talking to your doctor about CBT-I, medications, and other treatment options that can potentially reduce symptoms of both conditions.

Fibromyalgia and Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) – also known as Willis-Ekbom disease – is a sensorimotor disorder characterized by a strong urge to move or adjust the legs that is typically accompanied by uncomfortable sensations.

People with RLS usually experience the most unpleasant sensations when they are lying down or sitting during the evening or nighttime hours. Walking or stretching can temporarily alleviate the discomfort, but symptoms often recur as soon as the person’s body comes to rest again.

Studies show a consistent overlap Trusted Source National Center for Biotechnology Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source between fibromyalgia and RLS. Since both conditions are associated with sensory abnormalities, some patients may be misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia after demonstrating RLS symptoms or vice versa. For some people with RLS, treating secondary causes of the disorder Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source can reduce symptoms.

Sleep Tips for People With Fibromyalgia

People with fibromyalgia tend to experience sleep problems whether or not they’ve been diagnosed with a sleep disorder. Managing fibromyalgia symptoms is key, but additional measures these individuals can take to ensure a good night’s rest include:

• Set a Sleep Schedule: A key component of healthy sleep hygiene is going to bed and waking up at the same times each day Trusted Source American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Founded in 1934, the ACR is a not-for-profit, professional association committed to advancing the specialty of rheumatology. View Source , even on the weekends. This enables you to get an adequate amount of rest every night, which in turn provides time for your body to physically and mentally repair itself. In order to follow this schedule, you should avoid long naps during the day and consume caffeine in moderation. People with fibromyalgia should also consider quitting smoking, as tobacco is a natural stimulant that can affect your sleep.
• Exercise Regularly: Exercise accomplishes the twofold task of improving sleep and reducing fibromyalgia symptoms. However, sleep deprivation can lower your motivation to exercise on a regular basis. Committing to a workout regimen can help ensure enough rest at night and a decrease in painful symptoms.
• Practice Mindfulness Meditation: Mindfulness meditation Trusted Source New York Times The New York Times is an American newspaper based in New York City with worldwide influence and readership. View Source emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment, which can help people be more mindful as they go about their day and cope with difficult situations. One study explored the effects of mindfulness meditation techniques Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source on fibromyalgia patients. Researchers found that people with fibromyalgia who practiced this form of meditation reported improvements in overall sleep quality. Other studies Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source posit that mindfulness meditation can also contribute to pain relief, but this claim requires further research.
• Consider Vitamin D Supplements: Some researchers have established a link between vitamin D deficiency and sleep problems Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , and people with fibromyalgia often exhibit below-average vitamin D levels Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Vitamin D supplements on their own can reduce the widespread pain of fibromyalgia. Additionally, one study found that vitamin D supplements taken with Trazadone Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source , an antidepressant medication, were effective at alleviating painful symptoms and improving sleep quality for people with fibromyalgia. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about the link between fibromyalgia and vitamin D deficiency to learn about the best options for you.