Assisted Living: Dealing With Everyone's Emotions

Can Children Have Fibromyalgia?

29 November 2016 by Julia Gregory

Fibromyalgia is generally considered a condition that affects adults, but there are children and teens living with it. Juvenile fibromyalgia can be just as difficult to diagnose as it is with adults. If you suspect that your child has fibromyalgia, here is what you need to know.  

Is It Fibromyalgia?

Juvenile fibromyalgia is a condition that results in pain, fatigues, and mood disorders. Researchers have been unable to pinpoint a cause of the condition, but it is believed that genetics and infections might play a role.  

Due to the lack of a specific cause and the fact that there is no specific lab test that can be used to diagnose juvenile fibromyalgia, your child's primary care physician will rely on several criteria to determine if he or she has it.  

For instance, the physician will look at how long your child has experienced symptoms, whether or not there is an underlying condition, and your child has pain in certain areas of his or her body. At that point, if the physician believes that your child has the condition, you can turn your focus to treatment.  

What Is the Treatment?

There is no set treatment plan for managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Your child's physician can rely on a combination of treatments to help get control of your child's symptoms.  

For instance, if your child is experiencing pain, the physician could recommend the use of over-the-counter medications. However, some children do not get relief from those. If that is the case for your child, an anti-seizure drug might be recommended because they are sometimes effective in treating fibromyalgia pain.  

Dealing with the symptoms of fibromyalgia can sometimes leave children struggling with depression. Symptoms, such as weight loss or gain and low energy, should be discussed with a mental health professional who is trained to work with children dealing with painful medical conditions.  

What Can You Do?

Depending on the severity of your child's pain, you might have to explore alternative means of ensuring that your child is able to accomplish day-to-day tasks. For instance, if your child is struggling with pain and it is impacting his or her school performance, homeschooling is an option.  

You also need to focus on healthier everyday options for your child. Exercise can help to improve symptoms over time for some children. If your child is having trouble due to his or her symptoms, skipping sugary treats and caffeine can make it easier to go to sleep at night. Click to find out more.

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