HopelesslyJoan

Fibromyalgia is sometimes categorized as primary or secondary. In primary fibromyalgia, also known as idiopathic fibromyalgia, the causes are not known whereas in secondary fibromyalgia the causes can be identified. Primary fibromyalgia is the more common form.

Many experts believe that primary fibromyalgia is not a disease but rather a chronic pain condition brought on by a dysfunctional biologic response to stress. Individuals are thought to be more susceptible to stress because of traumatic personal histories, genetic factors, or both. Physical injuries, emotional trauma, or viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr, may act as triggers for the onset of the disorder.

In secondary fibromyalgia, a specific cause can be identified. Possible causes of secondary fibromyalgia include:

• Physical injury. As an example, secondary fibromyalgia developed in over 20 percent of patients who had neck injuries. The symptoms are identical to those of primary fibromyalgia but are more difficult to treat. Another study reported a high incidence of fibromyalgia in workers with repetitive stress injuries, although it is not clear which condition caused the other.
• Ankylosing spondylitis. Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints located in the low back where the sacrum meets the iliac bones.
• Surgery. Trauma, particularly in the upper spinal region, may trigger the development of fibromyalgia.
• Lyme disease. According to one study, between 10- and 25-percent of patients with Lyme disease subsequently developed fibromyalgia, which did not respond to the standard Lyme treatment consisting of antibiotics.
• Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C may prove to be a trigger for some cases of fibromyalgia.
• Endometriosis. Approximately 30 percent of women with the painful condition known as endometriosis go on to develop fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, a related illness.