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Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia treatment available online today
In order to treat your fibromyalgia, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online today to get a treatment plan that will help your muscle and joint pain. Get a new prescription to treat fibromyalgia or refill an existing prescription today.
Book an appointmentIn order to treat your fibromyalgia, consult with one of our board-certified doctors online today to get a treatment plan that will help your muscle and joint pain. Get a new prescription to treat fibromyalgia or refill an existing prescription today.
Medication services available for adults and kids (3+)
Top quality, board-certified doctors
Insurance accepted, but not required
Prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy*
* Prescriptions provided at doctor’s discretion.
We accept these insurance plans and many more!
Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less. Paying without insurance? New patient visits are $129, and follow-ups are only $99 for members.
Don’t see your provider listed? Email [email protected] or call (888) 564-4454 to talk to a PlushCare specialist.
3 simple steps to request treatment for fibromyalgia today
Step 1
Book a fibromyalgia treatment appointment.
Book a same day appointment from anywhere.
Step 2
Talk to your medical provider regarding your fibromyalgia symptoms.
Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.
Step 3
Pick up a prescription to treat fibromyalgia.
We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.
Fibromyalgia pricing details
How pricing works
To request fibromyalgia treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.
Paying with insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
Copay
For all visits
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price with insurance
Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!
- We accept these insurance plans and many more:
Paying without insurance
Membership
$14.99/month
First month free
First visit
$129
Repeats only $99
30 days of free membership
Same-day appointments 7 days a week
Unlimited messages with your Care Team
Prescription discount card to save up to 80%
Exclusive discounts on lab tests
Free memberships for your family
Cancel anytime
Visit price without insurance
Initial visits are $129 and follow-ups are only $99 for active members.
If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.
Fibromyalgia treatment FAQs
What is the most effective treatment for fibromyalgia?
Having a multidisciplinary approach with a variety of healthcare team members is the most effective treatment for fibromyalgia. Each person's treatment plan is different for fibromyalgia.
What is the best medication for fibromyalgia?
Medications to treat pain, fatigue, and mood disturbances are the best medications for fibromyalgia.
What are usually the first signs of fibromyalgia?
Extreme fatigue, headache, and shoulder/neck pain are the first signs of fibromyalgia.
How does a person get fibromyalgia?
People with fibromyalgia have a genetic component that makes them more susceptible to fibromyalgia.
What triggers fibromyalgia?
Viral illnesses, emotional stress, and physical stress can trigger fibromyalgia.
Does fibromyalgia ever go away?
For some, symptoms may improve over time, but for most people, fibromyalgia cannot be cured.
Learn about fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes muscle and joint pain without a known cause. Fibromyalgia occurs in 2% to 8% of the United States population, is more common among women, and appears between the ages of 20 to 55. In addition to widespread pain, people experience extreme fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, and mood disturbances.
Fibromyalgia causes
Fibromyalgia does not have a definitive cause, though it is associated with genetics, physical trauma, emotional trauma, depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, recurrent migraines, jaw pain, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and bladder pain.
Emotional trauma
Emotional trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder, is thought to trigger fibromyalgia symptoms. Similar to other chronic illnesses, depression and anxiety are also linked to fibromyalgia. Other physical stressors such as infection or injury are thought to cause fibromyalgia. Some experts believe viral infections or Lyme disease may trigger fibromyalgia symptoms.
Genetics
The most accepted theory is that there is a genetic component to fibromyalgia. Healthcare professionals may ask about a family history of fibromyalgia. Close relatives like parents or siblings with fibromyalgia help doctors determine risk factors. People who develop fibromyalgia may also have conditions that portray a heightened perception of pain called, "central sensitization."
Genetics, especially related to pain perception, is linked to fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia tend to have a greater perception of pain. They often feel like joints are swollen, but there are no physical signs of damage. Genetics also play a role in that you are more likely to have fibromyalgia if a family member is diagnosed. People with a parent or sibling with fibromyalgia have a higher chance of developing it themselves.Sleep problems
Fibromyalgia is associated with sleep problems such as perpetual light sleep, feeling unrefreshed after sleep, frequent nighttime awakenings, and chronic fatigue. Persistent fatigue accounts for 90% of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The link between fatigue and fibromyalgia is unclear but seems to be closely related.
Fibromyalgia symptoms
The main symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic, persistent, widespread pain that is felt among muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Although people feel like they have joint swelling, there are no physical signs of joint inflammation upon examination. People with fibromyalgia experience pain signals differently. Pain is typically described as deep muscle pain, soreness, stiffness, burning, crawling, or tingling sensations. Patients with fibromyalgia often describe symptoms as having flu-like aches and pains.
Digestive problems
Muscle tension
Painful sensations
Poor sleep habits
Pain and fatigue
Musculoskeletal and skin diseases
Chronic pain
There appears to be a close relationship between fibromyalgia and sleep problems. Chronic fatigue syndrome is linked to fibromyalgia and is characterized by debilitating fatigue. Your healthcare provider might prescribe a formal sleep test if you have persistent fatigue.
How to treat fibromyalgia
Treatment of fibromyalgia is focused on improving quality of life and managing fibromyalgia pain. The best treatment will look different for each person. Pain relief is often the main goal of treatment and it may take some adjusting to find the right lifestyle to reduce symptoms. Treating fibromyalgia is all about learning how to manage fibromyalgia symptoms.
Light physical activity has been shown to improve chronic pain. People with fibromyalgia can participate in low-impact exercise regularly. Low impact exercise includes walking, riding a bike, or swimming. A physical therapist can help manage muscle pain through stretching and appointed exercises. Massage therapy can also be done to alleviate pain.
Stress management techniques are used to reduce muscle tension flare-ups, improve sleep, and reduce pain. Exercise and coping techniques are also used to reduce pain. An interdisciplinary approach is used to treat fibromyalgia patients. You may have a primary care physician, physical therapist, mental health expert, and other experts on your treatment team. Medical treatment is more focused on prescription medications.
There are no specific blood tests, or imaging exams used to diagnose fibromyalgia. Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history, particularly focusing on your pain, fatigue, and other symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Some alternative therapies are available to treat pain. Examples of alternative treatments include:
Massage therapy
Physical therapy
Deep breathing exercises or meditation
Counseling
Tai Chi
Yoga
Acupuncture
Fibromyalgia medication
Unfortunately, there are no quick cures for chronic illnesses. Treatment options for fibromyalgia include prescription medications to relieve pain. Your doctor will prescribe medications to treat your symptoms to reduce pain and fatigue. Typically, medications are started at a low dose and titrated to higher doses as needed to minimize symptoms. Pain relievers and muscle relaxants minimize symptoms of fibromyalgia. Since fibromyalgia does not cause inflammation, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Motrin) and steroids (glucocorticoids) are not effective.
Antidepressants
Some fibromyalgia patients may be able to manage symptoms with certain antidepressants if prescribed.
Anticonvulsants
Pain medications
How to prevent fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia cannot be prevented, but lifestyle and medication can help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
When to see a doctor for fibromyalgia
Make an appointment to see a doctor if you have fatigue or sleep disturbances, headaches, bowel irritability, and widespread tenderness without swelling that has been present for 3 months or more.
Related conditions to fibromyalgia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic illness that causes inflammation of joints, resulting in pain and swelling. RA can cause deformity to the joints. The difference between RA and fibromyalgia is that a fibromyalgia diagnosis does not confirm swelling of the joints nor does it cause joint deformity. Because of their similarities in symptoms, a rheumatologist may be consulted to perform a medical exam.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is linked to fibromyalgia due to the connection with central sensitization. IBS includes frequent abdominal pain with episodes of diarrhea, constipation, or both.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a sleep disorder defined by debilitating and persistent fatigue. Persistent fatigue occurs in more than 90% of people with fibromyalgia.