It's a chicken and egg question. Does depression, difficulty sleeping, and bad memory come before fibromyalgia - and possibly cause it? Or does fibromyalgia cause depression, difficulty sleeping, and bad memory?

When it comes to fibromyalgia, there's more that doctors don't know than they do know. However, there are many people who are very vibrant, active, intelligent and who hold very demanding jobs before they get sick and are diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Living in constant pain, having difficulty sleeping, and experiencing all the other issues that come with fibromyalgia can cause some of those cognitive problems. Researchers have found changes in the brains of people who have fibromyalgia, which they believe is caused by the syndrome.

Reference:

Bruce D. Dick, et al. Disruption of cognitive function in Fibromyalgia Syndrome. In Pain. October 2008. Vol. 139. No. 3. Pp. 610-616.

Disclaimer

The information on this website is not intended to replace the advice or care from a healthcare provider. The information on this website is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments, or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visiting with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your healthcare provider because of any information you obtain on this website. Discuss any activities presented in this website with your healthcare provider before engaging in the activity.

Topics

It's a chicken and egg question. Does depression, difficulty sleeping, and bad memory come before fibromyalgia - and possibly cause it? Or does fibromyalgia cause depression, difficulty sleeping, and bad memory?