Does CBT help fibromyalgia?

[Catma2021]

Was thinking of paying for this as nothing else helps. Was advised my fibro and chronic fatigue may have been caused by trauma and chronic stress. Has anyone been helped by CBT?

Hey can see you have had no replies. Haven't heard of anyone with experience of this but doesn’t mean it may not give you some tools deal with. Though is more evidence to suggest may be more brain or immune condition rather than aways trauma but that’s not to say if you have had significant trauma it didn’t set it off for want of better want. There are some articles in the threads in the pain boards.

If it’s something you have the money and time To invest in may be worth a go to you. Long as you don’t have unrealistic expectations or you will feel it’s your fault if
There is no improvement the old well you didn’t try hard enough so that’s why you still in pain. Which damaging to lots of people.

Thanks for the reply, I guess it could help from the stress and trauma angle even if it doesn’t help the fibro. It’s interesting it could have a physical cause, it does feel very physical!

I had fibro for 7 years which turned out to be small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). I tested privately as nhs do not test for my criteria , but got treated with nhs antibiotics when I showed my results. I also used oil of oregano which is a natural antibiotic. I take probiotics, which are kind of of/on forever to keep the good bacteria in balance. I cannot believe antibiotics have cured me, would honestly suggest anyone look into this online, there are studies which show 90% fibro patients cured after antibiotic treatment. It’s worth ruling out if nothing else.

No. Please don't waste your money on this.

@Buttercup I’m interested in you mentionof SIBO as a fibro sufferer. What were the symptoms you had initially that gave a diagnosis of Fibro?

On the advice of my rheumatologist I am having counselling/CBT. His point was stress/trauma doesn't cause fibro, but not managing it well makes the fibro worse and we could end in a cycle of increasing drugs every time I get stressed.
After 8 months I have better stress management tools and I am better able to identify what is fibro and what is an injury. I am better at taking care of myself and saying I have to stop.
I know it is not going to fix the problem I also have MCTD and pernicious anaemia, but I am in a better place than I was.

@Buttercup72 could you show some of this research it sounds really interesting.

Hello - this might be a good site to start chriskresser.com/is-fibromyalgia-caused-by-sibo-and-leaky-gut/

My symptoms were chronic pain, fatigue, brain fog and then ‘fillers’ such as restless legs, memory issues, burning feet, tingling, clumsiness etc.

I had to work part time for a few years as I was really struggling and it was just still a nightmare.

Good luck to everyone xx

I have had a diagnosis of FM for many years and have had a positive hydrogen breath test too. But all dietary recommendations proved useless. I had to work out for myself that I have to avoid too much fibre and also cut out most sugar especially fructose (I eat almost no fruit now). This has reduced bloating etc. but FM symptoms are exactly the same!

@Lonecatwithkitten

On the advice of my rheumatologist I am having counselling/CBT. His point was stress/trauma doesn't cause fibro, but not managing it well makes the fibro worse and we could end in a cycle of increasing drugs every time I get stressed. After 8 months I have better stress management tools and I am better able to identify what is fibro and what is an injury. I am better at taking care of myself and saying I have to stop. I know it is not going to fix the problem I also have MCTD and pernicious anaemia, but I am in a better place than I was.

This. CBT helped me manage my stress and trauma and pain better. It doesn't reduce your fibromyalgia pain and I'd be wary of a doctor suggesting this. Treating the trauma can help you manage better and stress can make fibromyalgia worse. You do need to find the right psychologist though, if you try this and don't click with the psychologist, see someone else.