Treatment and management of fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood condition, estimated to affect approximately 1.5-2 million people in the UK. (NRS Healthcare, 2019). The disease can affect any age, but is most commonly seen in those aged between 30-50 years old. Women are much more likely to develop the condition than men (Tidy, 2014). The illness places a huge burden on healthcare resources with high levels of prescribing, testing, referrals and visit rates in the three years leading up to the diagnosis (Hughes et al, 2005). The high number of referrals or diagnostic investigations may have been caused by clinicians struggling to find a cause for the patients worsening symptoms and frequent appointments. It is thought likely that the true prevalence rates may be much higher than statistics suggest because some sufferers with milder symptoms may self-medicate with over the counter preparations and never seek help, or because of the complex nature of the disease and its variable presentation, may be misdiagnosed. It is hoped that this article will give nurses and non-medical prescribers an overview of this illness and help them when advising and treating their patients.