Celebrities with Fibromyalgia: Facing an Invisible Illness

Researchers believe that the nerve pain experienced by fibromyalgia patients may affect the brain. Some suggest that the changes in the brain are due to an abnormal level of some chemicals in the brain, or the blood flow in the brain. A study conducted last year found that plasma and spinal fluid from fibromyalgia patients have higher level of inflammatory chemicals and this could trigger pain and swelling.

The scientist is trying to establish a link between fibromyalgia chronic pain and damaged peripheral nerves. One study suggests that sparse or withered nerve endings in fibromyalgia patients and another suggest small fiber nerve damage in fibromyalgia patients. Irrespective of the causes, the central nervous system alters the processing of pain messages.