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What is a Fibromyalgia Headache?

By Jacob Queen
Updated May 17, 2024
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A fibromyalgia headache is any headache that is directly related to the disorder known as fibromyalgia. These headaches come in two different varieties, including migraines and tension headaches. Migraines often involve visual hallucinations, bouts of nausea, and deep pain behind the eyes. Tension headaches result from muscle spasms in the head and neck area, and they often make people feel like something is squeezing on their skulls. Experts aren’t entirely certain why fibromyalgia headache symptoms are so common, but there are theories, and there has been a lot of research into the subject.

Migraines are fairly common among people who suffer with fibromyalgia, and some experts believe this connection is no coincidence. There is research to suggest that migraines and fibromyalgia may both be symptoms of the same basic problem. Not all migraine sufferers have symptoms of fibromyalgia, and not all fibromyalgia sufferers deal with migraines, but there is correlation in the brain chemistry. Tension headaches are also common, and in some cases, people may have a tension headache at the same time that they’re dealing with a migraine.

Fibromyalgia sufferers have shown much lower levels of serotonin than most individuals. This is also true for those who suffer on a regular basis with migraines. It is possible that this connection is less important than experts believe, but it could also suggest a serious correlation between the two. Fibromyalgia is a disorder commonly associated with chronic pain, and serotonin is a major part of the brain’s mechanism for delivering pain signals to the rest of the body. This connection could possibly lead to various future treatment approaches, and some scientists have taken this as an opportunity for further research.

Many experts believe fibromyalgia headache symptoms are common because people with fibromyalgia don’t get enough sleep. They frequently suffer with various sleep disorders like sleep apnea. This is known to be a direct cause of chronic headache symptoms in many people. Another possible cause for fibromyalgia headaches is temporomandibular joint disorder, which is very common for sufferers. This may be particularly associated with the tension headaches many fibromyalgia patients deal with.

People with fibromyalgia often describe many symptoms that are very comparable to arthritis or lupus. They frequently suffer with chronic joint pain and may have weakened immune systems along with the aforementioned fibromyalgia headache symptoms. Scientists are very uncertain about the cause of fibromyalgia, and treatment methods are generally focused on dealing with symptoms.

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Discussion Comments

By stoneMason — On Aug 07, 2013

@turquoise-- Can your dad keep a diary of what he ate before his headaches?

Some foods trigger headaches with me. So far, I've found that diet sodas and processed foods with a lot of additives give me headaches.

By burcidi — On Aug 06, 2013

@turquoise-- I've tried migraine medications for my fibromyalgia headaches and unfortunately, they weren't very effective.

The best treatment I've found is lying down in a quiet, dark room with a cold compress on my head. The cold helps relieve pain. If I'm able to take a nap like this, I usually feel much better when I wake up.

By turquoise — On Aug 06, 2013

What's the treatment for fibromyalgia headaches? Are migraine medications best for them?

My dad has fibromyalgia and he has headaches almost daily. The headaches are severe. They're very painful and prevent him from doing his daily activities.

He has been taking OTC pain relievers but they're not strong enough for the kinds of headaches he gets.

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