I’m 52 and I was recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I’m tired, with muscle pains. What can I do to ease the symptoms?
Dr Ellie replies: Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition but there is a great deal that can be done to improve symptoms.
The chronic pain condition causes the central nervous system to process pain incorrectly. The exact cause is unknown, though it is thought to run in families.
Patients experience severe fatigue, poor sleep, headaches, stiffness and ‘fibrofog’ – brain fog that affects concentration and memory. Flares can come on suddenly, so day-to-day management is challenging.
The starting point for most is physiotherapy. Strengthening exercises, posture work and relaxation techniques can reduce pain. Keeping active is one of the most important things patients can do – it can reduce fatigue and help cope with pain. The key is balancing activity with adequate rest.
Patients with fibromyalgia experience poor sleep, headaches, stiffness and brain fog
If your symptoms are significantly affecting your life, referral to a specialist pain clinic is worth pursuing via a GP. These clinics combine medication, pain management programmes and group support. On the medication front, options include pain relief and antidepressants – the latter used not only for mood but for sleep quality and pain processing.
Psychological support, such as talking therapy, can help equip patients with coping strategies for a condition that has no predictable pattern.
I’ve had plantar fasciitis for more than six months. I recently started going to a physiotherapist – but now my other foot hurts. Why is this happening?
Dr Ellie replies: Plantar fasciitis occurs when the fascia – the band of connective tissue running from the heel bone to the toes – becomes strained.
Pain is typically felt on the sole of the foot, just in front of the heel. It tends to be worst in the morning or after rest, easing slightly with movement before worsening again after prolonged standing or walking.
The condition is more common for those over 40, overweight and people who wear poorly supportive footwear. It can also be triggered by new exercise regimes, running on hard surfaces or tight calf muscles.
When one foot is painful, patients naturally shift their weight and alter their gait. This places abnormal load on the other foot, leading to pain.
Physiotherapy exercises are available on the NHS website. Footwear with arch support is essential, or a podiatrist can provide custom insoles. Rest and elevation when seated, along with ice and painkillers, can help manage inflammation.
If symptoms remain, a steroid injection is worth discussing with a GP or podiatrist.
Vibration plates – a fad or protection from falls?
I’m surprised to see vibration plates – a fad I thought consigned to the noughties – making a comeback.
The idea is you stand on the at-home machine and the movement burns fat and builds muscle.
While I’m sceptical they can help you lose weight, I’ve heard from older patients that they have helped them improve their balance and muscle strength – potentially protecting them from dangerous falls. Have you tried a vibration plate? Write in and let me know.