MSK: Fibromyalgia: Free MSRA Podcast

🎧 FREE MSRA PODCAST – Fibromyalgia🧠 A focused, high-yield breakdown of fibromyalgia — a chronic central pain condition often seen in primary care. Perfect for your MSRA revision or clinical insight.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• Chronic central pain syndrome• Widespread pain + fatigue + sleep disturbance + “fibro fog”• Often coexists with anxiety/depression💡 Mnemonic: “Wide fatigue and tender minds”📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Exact cause unknown — likely CNS pain processing dysfunction• Triggered by trauma, infections, stress• Risk factors: – Female sex (10x more common) – Family history – Coexisting RA, SLE – Past trauma📌 Pathophysiology• Faulty central pain modulation• ↓ Serotonin/Dopamine, ↑ Substance P• No tissue damage but altered pain perception📌 Differential Diagnoses• Chronic fatigue syndrome• Hypothyroidism• Polymyalgia rheumatica• RA/SLE• Cervical radiculopathy• Inflammatory myopathies📌 Associated Conditions• IBS, irritable bladder, restless legs• Depression, anxiety• Raynaud’s, TMJ dysfunction, dysmenorrhoea📌 Epidemiology• 2–4% prevalence (UK)• Peak onset 20–50 years• Women > Men• Seen in 25% of RA and up to 50% of SLE cases📌 Clinical Features• Widespread pain ≥3 months• Severe fatigue, unrefreshing sleep• Cognitive issues (“fibro fog”), IBS symptoms• Pain worsens with stress/cold• Tender points may be present but not required📌 Diagnosis• Clinical diagnosis (no definitive test)• Use WPI + SS scale• Normal FBC, ESR, CRP• TFTs, ANA/RF to exclude other causes• Sleep studies if needed📌 Management – NICE aligned🟢 Non-pharmacological (first-line): – Patient education – Graded aerobic + resistance exercise – CBT – Physiotherapy + pacing strategies – Mindfulness/relaxation💊 Pharmacological (if needed): – Amitriptyline (low-dose) – Duloxetine or venlafaxine (SNRIs) – Pregabalin/Gabapentin (pain + sleep)❌ Avoid opioids, steroids, benzodiazepines📌 Prognosis & Complications• Chronic, fluctuating course• No cure, but management improves QOL• Complications: – Chronic pain – Functional impairment – Mental health challenges – Work disability📚MSRA RevisionResources📝 Revision Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/fibromyalgia-revision-notes/🃏 Flashcards:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/fibromyalgia-flashcards/📚 Accordion Q&A Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/fibromyalgia-accordion-qa-notes/🎯 Rapid Fire Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/fibromyalgia-rapid-quiz/💡 Quiz Link:https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/fibromyalgia/ 🧠Final ThoughtFibromyalgia is morethan just pain — it's a bio-psycho-socialcondition. Early recognition, holistic care, and a focus on function and quality of life make all thedifference. 🔗More MSRA Helphttps://www.passthemsra.comhttps://www.freemsra.com#MSRA #Fibromyalgia#MSRARevision #MSRAQuiz #PassTheMSRA #FreeMSRA #ChronicPain#CentralSensitisation #WPI #CBT #Amitriptyline #Pregabalin