Fibromyalgia in children and teens

It is usually easy to find out what children are sick with. Common childhood illnesses such as strep throat and ear infections are fairly easy to diagnose with a throat swab or physical examination.

However, when children complain of vague symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and trouble sleeping, they may be suffering from one of many common illnesses. Fibromyalgia, which causes pain in the muscles and soft tissues around the joints, is easy to overlook in children and teens.

Fibromyalgia can be difficult to detect in children because it is much more common in adults. Most often, fibromyalgia affects women over 18 years of age. However, between 1% and 7% of children have fibromyalgia or similar conditions.

Fibromyalgia is part of a group of conditions known as musculoskeletal pain syndrome. In children, fibromyalgia is called primary juvenile fibromyalgia syndrome. If a child also has arthritis or another condition associated with fibromyalgia, it is called juvenile secondary fibromyalgia syndrome.

Here's how to spot the symptoms of fibromyalgia in teens and children, and what to do if you think your child has it.

Fibromyalgia in teenagers and children: What causes it?

Nobody knows exactly what causes fibromyalgia. The disease is usually inherited, although the genes have not yet been discovered. Researchers have linked fibromyalgia to a number of other health problems, including immune, endocrine, psychological, and biochemical problems.

Just as fibromyalgia in adults affects women more often, fibromyalgia in children and teens is more common in girls than boys. Most girls are diagnosed with the disease between the ages of 13 and 15.

Fibromyalgia symptoms in children and teens

One of the main symptoms of fibromyalgia in children is painful points on the muscles. These points hurt when pressure is applied to them, which is why they are called "sensitive points".

To find these points, the doctor will apply thumb pressure to 18 areas that tend to be painful in people with fibromyalgia. Children with fibromyalgia will feel tenderness in at least five of these places. They will also feel pain for at least three months.

The pain may start in just one part of the body, but it can eventually affect other areas as well. Children with fibromyalgia described pain in a variety of ways, including stiffness, tightness, soreness, burning, or pain.

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia in teens and children include:

Fatigue
Difficulty sleeping and waking up tired
Anxiety and depression
Stomachache
Headaches
Difficulty remembering)
Dizziness
Restless legs while sleeping

One of the many reasons teenage fibromyalgia is so frustrating is that the symptoms make each other worse. For example, the pain of fibromyalgia interferes with sleep. When children cannot sleep, they feel more tired during the day. Fatigue makes the pain more intense. Symptoms turn into a vicious circle that is difficult to break.

Fibromyalgia can be so debilitating that many children with the condition miss school an average of three days a month. Having fibromyalgia can also be social isolation. Teens with fibromyalgia may have trouble making friends and may feel unpopular because of their condition.

The diagnosis of fibromyalgia in a child is made only after a long series of tests have identified other possible causes of the child's symptoms.

Treatment of fibromyalgia in teens and children

A team of specialists is working together to treat fibromyalgia in children and teens. This command may include:

Pediatric rheumatologist
Psychologist
Physical therapist

Although there is currently no cure for fibromyalgia in children (or adults), there are several good treatments available to help manage its symptoms, including:

Coping strategies. One of the most effective ways to treat fibromyalgia in teens and children is through the use of pain coping strategies. A technique called cognitive behavioral therapy helps children with fibromyalgia learn what is causing their pain and how to deal with it. It is very helpful in improving children's ability to function and alleviate depression. Other behavior-based approaches to treating fibromyalgia include muscle relaxation and stress relief techniques (such as deep breathing or meditation).
Medication. Medications can be used to treat adults with fibromyalgia. Rheumatologists may try some of these drugs in children. However, the safety and efficacy of fibromyalgia drugs in children is not as well understood as in adults.
Exercise . Exercise is an important part of fibromyalgia treatment. Children with fibromyalgia who stay active tend to experience less pain and less depression. A physical therapist can show kids the best exercises for fibromyalgia and teach them how to slowly turn on an exercise program so they don't hurt themselves.
Physiotherapy. Physical therapy and massage can relieve muscle pain in children with fibromyalgia.

For teenagers and children struggling with fibromyalgia, these therapies can bring relief and hope. Getting enough rest and exercise, eating healthy foods, and relieving stress can help control fibromyalgia so that children with the condition don't show symptoms in the long term.