Fibromyalgia Specialists in South Carolina
Fibromyalgia Specialists in Spartanburg, Duncan, and Greenville, SC
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, and tenderness. Despite affecting millions of people worldwide, fibromyalgia is often misunderstood or mistaken for other chronic conditions. It’s important to rule those conditions out at the beginning of your fibromyalgia journey so you can appropriately build an effective treatment team led by a rheumatologist.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, tenderness, weakness, and sensitivity to touch or pressure. Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Migraines
- Headaches
- Cognitive and memory problems
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
- Fatigue
It’s unknown what causes fibromyalgia, but some risk factors include your gender, as women are more likely to experience fibromyalgia symptoms, family history, and a history of autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Fibromyalgia and Neurologists
A rheumatologist typically treats fibromyalgia, but neurologists can help during the diagnostic process to rule out other conditions related to the nervous system that present with similar symptoms. Your neurologist may perform various tests to ensure that your pain and fatigue aren’t being caused by a neurological disorder. There is no one test for fibromyalgia, it’s a diagnosis of elimination, meaning your neurologist will eliminate the possibility of other conditions first before you receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Your primary treatment provider for your fibromyalgia will be a rheumatologist but a neurologist can help with symptom or pain management including medication recommendations, lifestyle modifications, or a referral to physical therapy or a sleep study.
Fibromyalgia and Orthopedists
Fibromyalgia may not impact the joints directly, but chronic pain can cause a sedentary lifestyle, which can have a negative impact on your joints. An orthopedist can help your fibromyalgia symptoms by recommending pain management techniques, including physical therapy and occupational therapy, recommending lifestyle changes, and monitoring any joints that seem to be inflamed or are experiencing symptoms outside of fibromyalgia, such as clicking, grinding, swelling, or limited range of motion.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
There is no cure for fibromyalgia, but with a comprehensive medical team helping you with diagnostics, education, and pain management, the symptoms can be manageable.
Common treatments for fibromyalgia include:
- Physical Therapy
- Mental health support
- Medication to treat the pain including medications like duloxetine or pregabalin
Fibromyalgia Doctors in Spartanburg, SC
Individuals with fibromyalgia need to work with a team of healthcare professionals to address their specific needs and create a comprehensive treatment plan that helps prevent long-term neurological or orthopedic damage. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff are here to help you get back to the things you love about live, not held back by chronic pain. If you or a family member is struggling with unexplained chronic pain CONA Neurology Department can help. Consult your primary care physician or family doctor for a referral to one of our Neurology Specialists. Appointments are available by referral only. We serve patients from Spartanburg, SC, Duncan, SC, and Greenville, SC.