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Published:
December 8, 2025

Fibromyalgia For Dummies

Overview

Discover the latest science on fibromyalgia and get proven, practical steps to recover your quality of life

Fibromyalgia For Dummies helps you understand the symptoms and causes of this challenging disease and guides you through steps you can take to reduce or eliminate your symptoms,  decreasing your pain and fibro fog to manageable control. You’ll learn about and benefit from clear, easy-to-understand coverage of the newest and best medications, over-the-counter drugs, topical remedies, hands-on therapies, and alternative treatments. Learn about the pros and cons of medical marijuana and cannabinoids. You’ll also discover how to deal with people who can’t wait to tell you that your fibromyalgia symptoms aren’t “real.” (Even though they are.) Plus, receive proven tips for managing stress, exercising, and diet and lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation and improve your symptoms. This completely updated Dummies guide is your source of information on new research, the latest therapies (like low-dose naltrexone and portable transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS), and finding what treatments work best for you.

  • Find out what causes fibromyalgia and determine the best treatments for your specific situation
  • Identify triggers, cope with sleep problems, reduce emotional distress, and alleviate pain
  • Discover the four pillars of treatment: education, fitness, medication, and mental health treatment
  • Learn about types of fibromyalgia pain, including central sensitization, neuroinflammation, small fiber neuropathy, and post-COVID pain

Fibromyalgia For Dummies is for anyone, of any age, who thinks they might be suffering from fibromyalgia—as well as loved ones who want to know more about this disease.

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About The Author

Roland Staud MD, FACP, is an internist and rheumatologist who focuses on chronic pain and fatigue. He is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology at the University of Florida.

Christine Adamec is a freelance medical writer who has written more than 40 self-help books, parenting books, and encyclopedias.

Sample Chapters

fibromyalgia for dummies

CHEAT SHEET

To ease the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia, try getting regular exercise and considering topical remedies and alternative therapies. Living with fibromyalgia is made more difficult when your loved ones don’t understand your pain, so talk to family and friends gently but honestly about what you're experiencing.

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Treating fibromyalgia with mainstream medicine is often effective, but sometimes alternative therapies can also ease your symptoms. Many people rely on alternative remedies, and this is especially true for fibromyalgia patients. If you’re considering an alternative therapy for your fibromyalgia symptoms, some people find these remedies work very well: Sedating remedies (such as valerian and chamomile) may improve the chronic insomnia that many fibromyalgia sufferers experience.
Topical remedies can provide some relief for the muscle pain and tension of fibromyalgia although it may only last a few hours. Skin ointments are available at grocery stores and any pharmacy. Prescribed skin patches, like Lidoderm, can also greatly reduce muscle pain. Consider the following suggestions on topical remedies: If you buy an over-the-counter massage cream, make sure whoever rubs the cream in is gentle rather than heavy-handed.
Incorporating regular exercise into your routine may help improve your fibromyalgia symptoms. Gentle, low-impact, paced exercising will loosen muscles and stiff joints and may help to ease pain down the road. Be patient and persistent. Keep these tips in mind when you gear up to exercise: Start off easy. Don’t walk 5 miles or do 50 push-ups on your first day of exercising; if you do, you’ll get so tired you’ll probably give up exercising altogether.
To ease the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia, try getting regular exercise and considering topical remedies and alternative therapies. Living with fibromyalgia is made more difficult when your loved ones don’t understand your pain, so talk to family and friends gently but honestly about what you're experiencing.
Although awareness of fibromyalgia is increasing, many people don’t understand that it’s a real problem. This can be true even for the family and friends of people dealing with fibromyalgia. You have to be candid and patient when talking to people about your fibromyalgia. Try covering these points when you’re explaining it: Fibromyalgia causes chronic pain that often moves around in the body.
Dealing with the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia can be so distressing it drives people into depression or anxiety and may actually worsen your symptoms. Talk with your doctor about the emotional difficulties you’re dealing with and the use of medications for these disorders which may also improve your fibromyalgia symptoms.
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