Venous disease can be painful for many patients, but for patients living with Fibromyalgia, the symptom can be much worse. Fibromyalgia, also called FM or fibrositis, causes significant pain and discomfort without any other cause. If you have FM you most likely feel the pain and discomfort of lymphedema and varicose veins more than other patients. The pain of FM is very real, and when you’re living with uncomfortable and painful venous disease, the symptoms can be that much worse.
Aside from the symptoms of venous disease, is there a link between fibromyalgia and varicose veins? Does one condition cause the other? Are patient who have FM more likely to develop varicose veins and other types of venous disease? Can a patient with FM miss the signs and symptoms of venous disease and blood clots due to the pain they live with on a daily basis?
Let’s dive in to these and other questions related to fibromyalgia and varicose veins.
With fibromyalgia, you have an increased number of cells that carry pain signals from the body to the brain. Restless leg syndrome, which can cause a burning, itching feeling, especially at night, is tied to both conditions. Additionally, while women are more likely than men to develop FM, they are also more likely to develop varicose veins. It is not uncommon to see these conditions occurring together, particularly when we explore the connection between the sedentary lifestyle that often occurs due to fibromyalgia pain and how sitting for long periods of time can increase your chances of developing varicose veins and blood clots.
Some home treatments and lifestyle adjustments could decrease pain and discomfort and stop or slow the progression of varicose veins. You may find relief by:
