Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia Syndrome – also called FMS – is a condition marked by several symptoms, such as:

Fatigue
Chronic muscle pain and stiffness
Sleep problems
Headaches and facial pain
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Numbness of the hands and feet
Headaches and facial pain
Problems with concentration and memory
Mood changes, depression and anxiety

It affects as many as one in 50 Americans and is most common in middle-aged women.

What you can do to help prevent or treat fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia cannot be prevented, and it can be difficult to treat. To help minimize the effects of fibromyalgia, you might want to:

Get enough sleep. Treating sleep disturbances caused by fibromyalgia can help ease your pain and fatigue.
Exercise. Although pain and fatigue may make exercise and daily activities difficult, it's important to be as physically active as possible.
Make changes at work. Adjust your workspace, cut down your hours and explore your disability benefits.
Eat well. Not only will proper nutrition give you more energy and make you feel better, it will help you avoid other health problems.
Reduce stress. Be careful not to overexert yourself. Set reasonable goals and set aside time to relax every day.

Working with your doctor to find the most effective therapies, such as medications and physical therapy, is also a major part of managing the illness.

How to talk to your doctor

Fibromyalgia can be difficult for doctors to diagnose. If you experience chronic pain and fatigue lasting several months, it's time to see your doctor. It's a good idea to keep a diary of your symptoms to help your doctor make a diagnosis.

How UnitedHealthcare can help

Use UnitedHealthcare's tools and resources to help you address fibromyalgia.

myuhc.com resource	How it helps	How to find it
Pain Center	Access tools and resources to help you manage pain caused by fibromyalgia.	myuhc.com → Health & Wellness → Conditions A to Z → Centers → Pain Center
Personal Health Record	Monitor your pain levels and record your symptoms.	myuhc.com → Health & Wellness → Personal Health Record
Health Discounts	Take advantage of exclusive discounts on nutritional counseling, natural products and foods, stress reduction and relaxation resources through the UnitedHealth Allies health discount program.	myuhc.com → Extra Programs & Discounts
Drug Information	Learn more about medications recommended by your doctor to treat fibromyalgia.	myuhc.com → Pharmacies & Prescriptions → Drug Information

Call the NurseLine

Feelings of depression often accompany the pain and frustration of fibromyalgia. Get help finding a doctor or therapist to help you cope.

To talk to a NurseLine nurse, call the Customer care number on the back of your ID card or visit myuhc.com.