Do You Feel Constant Pain, Fatigue, and Brain Fog—But Your Labs Look “Normal”?

You may be one of the millions of people worldwide living with fibromyalgia—a complex, often misunderstood condition that causes chronic pain, sleep problems, mental fog, and overwhelming fatigue. And yet, it’s often dismissed, misdiagnosed, or mistreated.

In this blog, we’ll explain:

• What fibromyalgia is
• The most common symptoms
• What causes it (including functional medicine perspectives)
• How it’s diagnosed
• And what you can do to manage it and feel better naturally

What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by:

• Fatigue
• Cognitive dysfunction ("fibro fog")
• Sleep disturbances
• And often digestive and mood disorders

Unlike arthritis or autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia doesn’t involve visible inflammation or joint damage, which makes it difficult to detect on labs or imaging.

Fibromyalgia is real—and it’s not “just in your head.”

Who Gets Fibromyalgia?

• Affects 2–4% of the population
• Most common in women between ages 20–50
• Can be triggered after infection, trauma, surgery, or emotional stress
• Often overlaps with other conditions like:
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Migraines
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)

Common Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

🔥 Widespread Body Pain

• Often described as deep, aching, burning, or throbbing
• Pain can shift from day to day
• Sensitive “tender points” on the neck, back, chest, hips, and knees

😴 Unrefreshing Sleep

• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• Wake up tired, even after 8+ hours
• Restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea may also occur

🧠 Cognitive Dysfunction (“Fibro Fog”)

• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory issues
• Slow processing speed
• Feeling mentally drained after minor tasks

🧘 Fatigue and Low Energy

• Daily tasks feel exhausting
• Energy crashes in the afternoon
• Often misdiagnosed as depression or thyroid issues

💩 Digestive Problems

• IBS symptoms (bloating, constipation, diarrhea)
• Food sensitivities
• Gas and reflux

🌀 Other Symptoms

• Headaches or migraines
• Sensitivity to lights, noise, temperature, and touch
• Mood swings or anxiety
• Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
• Frequent urination

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

While the exact cause is still debated, research suggests fibromyalgia is a disorder of pain processing and nervous system dysregulation, not simply “overactive nerves.”

Functional medicine offers a root-cause perspective, suggesting multiple contributing factors:

1. Central Sensitization

Fibromyalgia involves amplified pain signaling in the brain and spinal cord, where non-painful stimuli (like touch or pressure) become painful.

2. Chronic Stress and Trauma

Prolonged emotional or physical stress can alter:

• Cortisol levels
• Brain chemistry (especially serotonin and dopamine)
• Nervous system sensitivity
• Mitochondrial function

Many patients trace the onset of fibromyalgia to a stressful life event.

3. Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Your cells produce energy in mitochondria, but in fibromyalgia, they may be impaired—leading to:

• Poor energy production
• Accumulation of lactic acid
• Muscle pain and fatigue

4. Gut Dysbiosis and Leaky Gut

The gut-brain connection plays a major role in fibromyalgia symptoms:

• Imbalanced gut bacteria → inflammation
• Leaky gut → immune activation
• Food sensitivities → symptom flares

5. Nutritional Deficiencies

Many patients are deficient in:

• Magnesium
• Vitamin D
• CoQ10
• B vitamins
• Iron
  These are essential for nerve function, energy, and inflammation control.

6. Sleep Dysregulation

Sleep is when your body repairs pain pathways, hormones, and inflammation. Without restorative sleep, fibromyalgia symptoms worsen.

How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?

There’s no single lab test. Diagnosis is made based on:

• History of widespread pain for 3+ months
• 11 out of 18 “tender points” on physical exam (less emphasized in recent years)
• Exclusion of other conditions, like autoimmune disease or thyroid dysfunction

Functional providers often go deeper, testing:

• Cortisol rhythms
• Gut health panels
• Mitochondrial function (organic acids)
• Nutrient levels
• Inflammatory markers
• Hidden infections like Epstein-Barr virus

Can Fibromyalgia Be Treated? Yes—But It Takes a Whole-Body Approach

🔄 Conventional Treatments May Include:

• Medications like duloxetine (Cymbalta), pregabalin (Lyrica), or low-dose naltrexone (LDN)
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Physical therapy or gentle exercise
• Sleep medications or antidepressants

These can help manage symptoms—but they don’t address the root cause.

🌿 Functional Medicine Approaches Include:

✅ 1. Anti-Inflammatory Diet

• Remove processed foods, sugar, gluten, and dairy
• Increase omega-3s, antioxidants, and fiber
• Identify and remove food sensitivities

✅ 2. Nutritional Repletion

• Magnesium glycinate or threonate
• CoQ10 for mitochondrial support
• B-complex vitamins
• Vitamin D
• L-carnitine or PQQ for energy

✅ 3. Gentle Movement

• Walking, yoga, tai chi, light strength training
• Avoid overexertion—pacing is key

✅ 4. Sleep Support

• Magnesium or glycine before bed
• Red light therapy to regulate melatonin
• Avoid screens before bed
• Create a relaxing bedtime routine

✅ 5. Nervous System Reset

• Breathwork or meditation
• Somatic therapy for trauma
• Vagus nerve stimulation techniques
• PEMF therapy or grounding

✅ 6. Heal the Gut

• Probiotics and prebiotics
• Gut-healing nutrients: L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, collagen
• Address SIBO, candida, or other imbalances if present

Final Thoughts: Fibromyalgia Is Real, But You’re Not Powerless

If you’re living with constant pain and fatigue and no one has answers, know this: You’re not crazy, and you’re not alone. Fibromyalgia is a real condition with real root causes—and it can be managed and improved with the right, personalized approach.

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we understand how complex and exhausting fibromyalgia can be. That’s why we offer functional, whole-body evaluations and treatment plans designed to support your unique biology—so you can reclaim your energy, your clarity, and your life.

Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward healing.

‍