# Fibromyalgia References: Triggers, Symptoms, Treatments - & Hunting & Tracking them **URL:** \ **Category:** Symptoms & Treatments\ **Created:** [April 16, 2021, 5:06am UTC](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/fibromyalgia-references-triggers-symptoms-treatments-hunting-tracking-them/13605 "2021-04-16T05:06:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 43
**Author:** ![JayCS](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.livingwithfibro.org/jaycs/32/9520_2.png) [@JayCS](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/u/JayCS)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2021, 6:19pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/fibromyalgia-references-triggers-symptoms-treatments-hunting-tracking-them/13605/43 "2021-12-10T18:19:08Z")
_Seemingly all fibro forums are pretty much hibernating, so here goes on this project…_ _First I’m completing this cause/trigger list, cos there’s not much new._ _I’m not hiding the details at the moment, so it’s easier for me to edit. Click [here](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/fibromyalgia-references-triggers-symptoms-treatments-hunting-tracking-them/13605/32) if you want the old tidier list._ ### Before listing any of of the causes or triggers, most important is that we are in a chicken-and-egg-dilemma: Any biomarker, symptom etc. that may be present can be an effect or a cause or both, or a vicious circle. Article etc [here on this thread](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/fibromyalgia-references-triggers-symptoms-treatments-hunting-tracking-them/13605/50): Sort of example: If we are depressed, is this an effect of the fibromyalgia (or it’s pre-form) or part of its causality? # Cause/Trigger list ### A. HYPOTHESES (“THEORIES”) (pathogenesis; etiology) **A.1. CSS, central sensitization syndrome, central sensitivity syndrome (pain only)** - [The Science of Fibromyalgia (CSS)](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/the-science-of-fibromyalgia-css/13598) - Inflammation of the glia as cause or effect? **A.2. Autoimmune (“AI”) (e.g. - perhaps! - biomarkers cytokines (e.g. IL-6) / chemokines, cf. B.1)** - Newest study: Goebel et al 2021: [JCI - Passive transfer of fibromyalgia symptoms from patients to mice](https://www.jci.org/articles/view/144201) FMS-IgG causes “sensitivity to pressure and cold” and reduces “movement grip strength” in mice, AI-treatment helped, summary [here](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/07/210701120703.htm). **A.3. SFN = Small Fiber Neuropathy (pain)** - **Subset**? 2021 [Advances](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33223078/), 2020 [_unsupportive_ study](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31670448/), 2019 [Current Diagnosis & Treatment of Painful SFN](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31773305/), 2018 [“the plot thickens!”](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30238382/), 2015 [Role and Importance of SFN in FM](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26497568/), 2014 [SFN involvement in FM](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24469976/). **A.4. AV-shunt-disorder** - [Biotech Research 2013/2016: Hand nerves increased in FM (was: New Research) - #35 by JayCS](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/3298/35) **A.5. Neuroendocrine** - [Psychological stress and fibromyalgia: a review of the evidence suggesting a neuroendocrine link](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC416451/) **A.6. Mitochondria/ATP/Q10** Studies about Q10 & FM mention this connection as a cause (or biomarker?). (Cf. Kuklinski, Rostock.) **A.7. Underlying issues like chronic pain, sleep disorder, low GABA, other diseases (e.g. SPD)** - Due to @Sheila_W 's idea mentioned [here](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/fibromyalgia-references-symptoms-triggers-treatments-to-be-intertwined/13605/21) - Occasional ‘healing’ or finding other underlying issues. - Chronic pain idea: [Cfs - #6 by SK1](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/cfs/1101/6) - GABA [improves 10+ of my own symptoms](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/jaycs-s-fibro-blog/13307/338) - Stiff Person’s Disorder (cf. @Freedom): [Good news! I don’t have Stiff Person’s Syndrome](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/good-news-i-don-t-have-stiff-person-s-syndrome/13634) (- After getting my pains down, a sleep disorder seemed the core, after getting that down, The Ache.) **A.8. genetic predisposition: twins; translocator protein gene** - Occurs more in some families, also in twins. 15% increased likelihood in twins [https://www.painscale.com/article/7-possible-causes-triggering-fibromyalgia-pain](https://www.painscale.com/article/7-possible-causes-triggering-fibromyalgia-pain) - Translocator protein gene, Kosek 2016: [The translocator protein gene is associated with symptom severity and cerebral pain processing in fibromyalgia - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27448744/) - translocator protein gene Fanton 2021 (with Kosek) [The translocator protein gene is associated with endogenous pain modulation and the balance between glutamate and GABA in fibromyalgia and healthy subjects: a multimodal neuroimaging study - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34142769/:) TSPO is important for pain, so meds shd target that. **A.9. (Not accepted in any way: Extinction memory damage, EMD** - [New hypothesis on the origin of FMS and related diseases](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/new-hypothesis-on-the-origin-of-fms-and-related-diseases/10323) → [The EMD hypothesis](https://sites.google.com/site/emdhypothesis/)) **A.10. (Unclear idea: HPV vaccination syndrome)** - [HPV vaccination syndrome: A clinical mirage, or a new tragic fibromyalgia model - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29548896/) 2018. **History of FM** : [FMA UK - The History of Fibromyalgia](http://www.fmauk.org/history) ### B. BIOMARKERS (‘tests’ for FMS, more validation needed) **B.1. Proinflammatory/neuroinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8) / chemokines / mast cells…** - The basis of the wannabe (= unproven) fibro-test: [the FM/a test by Gillis’ EpicGenetics](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/epicgenetics-new-blood-test-for-fibromyalgia/11505/18) - [Neuroinflammation in Fibromyalgia](https://www.verywellhealth.com/neuroinflammation-in-fibromyalgia-4689040) - Study on [Fibromyalgia and cytokines & esp. chemokines](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165247814000133) 2014 - [“Low-grade chronic inflammation mediated by mast cells in fibromyalgia: role of IL-37”:](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29684996/) - 2021: [Serial whole-body cryotherapy in fibromyalgia is effective and alters cytokine profiles](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33436106/)" - 2018, done 2010: [Cytokines in FM not influenced by exercise, hardly by Relaxation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29849487/) - [Cytokines in FM **not** correlated with muscle pain](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26624891/) Christidis 2015. - Is there an **inflammatory subgroup of fibromyalgia: iFM**?: [1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26002453/), [2](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27655626) & [3](https://www.eurekaselect.com/131577/): markers?: cytokines, inflammatory markers, sleep disorders, hyperalgesia, cognitive dysfunction, serum leptin levels & other inflammatory indicators. - [Are GABA and its derivatives related to this?](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/gaba-derivatives-gabapentin-neurontin-pregabalin-lyrica-phenibut-baclofen-picamilon/5157) **B.2. Salivary Biomarkers** - [Application of Salivary Biomarkers in the Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia - PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33401557/) **B.3. Muscle pressure** - [Muscle Pressure is Almost 3x Higher than Expected in Trapezius](https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.191068) = [here](https://www.sites.google.com/view/musclepressure) = [pdf](https://www.jrheum.org/content/jrheum/early/2020/12/10/jrheum.191068.full.pdf), cf. [here](https://frankleavitt.weebly.com) - [Health Rising: Criticism that this doesn’t explain much & Mg & HBOT to improve muscle oxygen is not mentioned in the study.](https://www.healthrising.org/blog/2021/04/13/muscle-pressure-fibromyalgia-old-paradigm/) (My answer here: [Pardon Our Interruption](https://www.inspire.com/m/fleavitt/journal/changing-minds-about-fibromyalgia/reply/1917612)) **B.4. Less gut bacteria & serum: molecular biomarkers and altered glutamate metabolism** - [Gut microbiome and serum metabolome analyses identify molecular biomarkers & altered glutamate metabolism in FM](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31327695/) 2019, [full text](https://journals.lww.com/pain/Fulltext/2019/11000/Altered_microbiome_composition_in_individuals_with.18.aspx) & [here](https://www.clinexprheumatol.org/article.asp?a=15278). **B.5 Hormones: serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine, cortisol…** - abnormally low levels of the hormones serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine. - other hormones such as cortisol. **B.6 protein backbones and pyridine-carboxylic acids using vibrational spectroscopy** - Hackshaw 2019 et al. [Metabolic fingerprinting for diagnosis of FM (etc.)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30523152/) **B.7 Branched-chain-amino acids and phenylalanin lower** - 2000: [Serotonergic markers & lowered plasma BCAAs in FM](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11104853/) **B.8 Insulin resistance** - [Fibromyalgia: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment](https://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/news/20190516/scientists-spot-unexpected-player-in-fibromyalgia) ### C. Possible general STARTING POINTS **C.1. Virus Infections:** - For flu, swine flu, Epstein-Barr-Virus (EBV) the evidence is only anecdotal: Real studies are \>30 years old and don’t really see much of a connection: [1987](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2823835/), [1989](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2691680/), newer: [EBV-Research - Fibromyalgia Resources](https://fibromyalgiaresources.com/epstein-barr-virus/), [EBV & FM - Wellness Resources](https://www.wellnessresources.com/news/epstein-barr-virus-and-fibromyalgia) (interesting to me, as I’m using glutamate and serotonin increasing amino acids like GABA, whilst catecholamines are also something Trudy Scott recommends amino acids for.) - COVID-19 - long CoV/long haulers in future? **C.2. Psychological:** - Trauma, stress, panic disorder, - bipolar disorder ([The Co-Morbidity between Bipolar and Panic Disorder in FMS](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33182759/)) **C.3. Functional - intolerances, deficiencies:** [“10 causes of fibromyalgia your doctor may not know about”](https://www.prohealth.com/library/10-causes-of-fibromyalgia-your-doctor-doesnt-know-about-32779) and as [livingwithfibro-post](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/10-causes-of-fibromyalgia-your-doctor-may-not-know-about/4059) 1. gluten, 2. candida, 3. thyroid, 4. mg/D3/B12, 5. SIBO/leaky gut, (small intestine bacterial overgrowth [here](https://bodyecology.com/articles/the-hidden-cause-of-fibromyalgia-a-natural-treatment-for-pain/). 6. mycotoxins, 7. [mercury fillings](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/can-mercury-in-amalgam-fillings-cause-fibromyalgia-from-plasmaboy/4955/1) 8. adrenal fatigue as result, 9. MTHFR mutations (B6, B12, folinic acid nec.), 10. glutathione deficiency - **Fructose (& fructans) decreasing serotonin** [“A Metabolic Approach Grounded in Biochemistry for the Remission of Symptoms”](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5715322) = [on Pubmed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29250522/) (2017): Increasing serotonin by reducing fructose (= some carbs) and increasing trytophan in food intake , instead of taking supps. (Women only?) ( **C.4 Extreme unexplained sunburn** (_sebailey_ on _inspire_)) ### D. Causing LONG-TERM FLARES (weeks or months) [Chronic Pain Resource Center](http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/c/5949/151398/fibromyalgia/) found by @Sheila_W here: [10 Causes of Fibro Flares](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/10-causes-of-fibro-flares/4420) _Flares/flare-ups can take hours, days, months or years, can start 48h later than the trigger._ _A journal / log / diary / blog can help identify triggers/causes._ **D.1. Illness, common cold…** **D.2. injury,** **D.3. long-term stress (often hard to identify)** **D.4. allergies, incl. seasonal,** **D.5. sleep problems** **D.6. vicious circles of sleep, stomach/gut problems, etc.** **D.7. hormonal changes (menstrual cycles, menopause, etc.)** **D.8. treatment changes** **D.9. meds/supps/herbs** , even without changing them. e.g. [Statins may be a nocebo!](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779202) **D.10. traveling:** Travel disrupts sleep, nutrition, environment& activity levels, cf. [NAD+](https://advancedcryonyc.com/treatment-with-nad-for-fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue/) ### E. Causing SHORT-TERM FLARES (hours or days) **E.1. Physicallly overdoing it/overexertion:** carrying on physical activities altho we are over our limits/capacities **E.2. Mental Stress** social: socializing/peopling **E.3. Weather, esp. temperature, esp. changes** Cold, hot, sunny, extremes, changes, wind, humidity, seasonal allergies, rainy **E.4. sensitivies: light, noise, smells** … **E.5. changes in sleep routine** … Version 2021-12-10 = Dec 10th --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.livingwithfibro.org/t/fibromyalgia-references-triggers-symptoms-treatments-hunting-tracking-them/13605)._