I love that more and more studies are coming out backing up the idea that Fibromyalgia is a nerve disorder (or neurological issue) .
A couple of studies now have shown that about 50% of those diagnosed with Fibromyalgia also have small fiber polyneuropathy. I had the test done a while back and it came back borderline (enough so that my Neurologist says I have it).
This latest study goes a little further and while it’s small it supports the idea that Fibromyalgia is a nerve disorder.
This 2015 study by Ramirez et al looked at the nerves in the eyes of Fibromyalgia patients.
Why? Because they eye – specifically the cornea – has the highest density of nerve fibers in the body (which equates to the most sensitivity).
No wonder it hurts so much when we get an eyelash stuck on our eye.
A new imaging method allows doctors to non-invasively look at the nerve structure of the eye. It works with a software set that estimates the total number of nerves in a small area (square millimeter).
This study first looked at the nerve structures in the cornea, and then correlated the nerve density to responses from standard questionnaires regarding patient pain levels, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and neuropathic pain.
This was a very small study (only 17 Fibro patients and 17 healthy people).
A single ophthalmologist examined the images of all participants. This is important because it ensures accurate comparisons.
This ophthalmologist did not know which eyes belonged to the Fibro group or the healthy patients.
The ophthalmologist looked at stromal nerves, examining average corneal nerve thickness, smoothness, and corneal sub-basal plexus nerve density.
The Fibromyalgia patients evaluated in this study showed severe symptoms based on the questionnaires.
When comparing the nerve thickness, Fibromyalgia patients have significantly thinner corneal stroma nerves than the healthy individuals.
Nerve smoothness values were also significantly lower.
Fibromyalgia patients also displayed decreased sub-basal plexus small nerve fiber density.
While Fibromyalgia patients showed significant differences from healthy controls, there was no correlation between symptom severity among the Fibromyalgia patients and their specific nerve results.
While the study is small it does indicate that Fibromyalgia patients have both smoother and thinner corneal nerves than healthy individuals, and that the small fiber neuropathy seen in other areas of the body is present in the eyes as well.
I think perhaps if this study is expanded we may see a much simpler way to confirm small fiber neuropathy as it relates to Fibromyalgia.
The current test for small fiber neuropathy requires cutting small holes in the skin. While the holes they cut in me have “healed” they were still visible, red, & itchy 6 months after I had that test).
I see my ophthalmologist annually for the many eye problems that I suffer related to Fibromyalgia and I can’t help but wonder if this might not shed some light on those issues.
Hopefully these researchers or others will expand on this study so that it can reach a point that can be considered useful in diagnosis and further research of Fibromyalgia.
Right now it does seem to shed a little more light on the focus of Fibromyalgia as a nerve disorder.
Related:
- An eye doctor discusses fibromyalgia and eye health
- Fibromyalgia nerve pain: There might be more to it than you think
- Study finds neurological signature for fibromyalgia
Source:
Ramírez, M., Martínez-Martínez, L. A., Hernández-Quintela, E., Velazco-Casapía, J., Vargas, A., & Martínez-Lavín, M. (2015, October). Small fiber neuropathy in women with fibromyalgia. An in vivo assessment using corneal confocal bio-microscopy. In Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism (Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 214-219). WB Saunders.
Sue says
LUZ wrote about her experience with Fibromyalgia and is the first person to which I can really relate to, knowing her fibromyalgia was so much like my illness and experiences. I have had it most of my life and have been treated as it’s all in my head over the years. I am in so much pain if someone bumps into me, touches me in certain spots. Furthermore, I have over the years had acupuncture, which does hurt because of the condition, but it improves the condition and give relief for some time. I am on different medication and see a neurologist who is very understanding. It has taken me many years to find a doctor/specialist that would listen. I always have a reaction to having any anaesthetic and once again no one believes what will happen, causing me complete exhaustion, struggling to talk and the body shaking. Going to the dentist can also be painful. People judge you without knowing what illness you may have to cause you to lose your balance, which can be very upsetting. Walking and exercise keeps the body from seizing up and the mind healthy, and staying in bed makes the muscles weaker and takes longer to improve. Hope my blog helps someone else and know they are not alone as, so many have this debilitating illness. Stay strong!
Luz says
Hi my name is Luz, I have been dealing with fibromyalgia for about 20 years now, after all tests in the beginning and brush off from doctors saying it was all in my head I was diagnosed in 2016 even though they gave me no solution and the only treatment they gave was duloxetine that it didn’t help with my pain that was unbearable all my body I couldn’t get out bed. Still have it I noticed I do less and less my feet and hands are very fragile now with osteoarthritis my back my neck, knees and now my jaw and teeth and the name it says all fibromyalgia yes all fibers all body all nerves even the smallest wrong touch or if I bump into something mild I will say is a reason to start me pain is unverifiable so I start taking vitamins, minerals , Change my diet even let go my exercises instead I do stretches and lots of massages soft ones because my body is tender but massage with oils or creams we have to do something DO NOT stay in bed unless you have to, listen to music be creative don’t think about this awful illness be positive because any stress no matter how tiny will fear the pain, I can go on and on and on from all my trajectory in my life but you are not alone and this is not invisible is real the pain is real I hope I was able to help someone that is starting his or her journey in this. God bless us all
Carol Meissner says
I have very dry eyes that cause crust to form on my eyelids. Eye Dr told me to use use lid scrubber to clean them every night and morning. I had cataract surgery on both eyes in August and September. Am having watery burning blurry vision ever since. Using Pataday but it doesn’t help that much. Very tired of this problem getting worse not better. Also have Fibromyalgia but eyes never this bad. I am 71 years old.
Julie says
I’ve been struggling more with dry eyes as well. Just got upgraded to Restasis. I’m hoping continued use results in a better exam when I return next.
Schuyler says
I just found you today
.”God works in
mysterious ways.”
I can relate to everything you wrote.
I was diagnosed with Fibro and later on Psoriatic arthritis.
My eyes have been giving me trouble for about 6 months now, and because of the pandemic i haven’t been able to set up an appointment zzThis was very interesting.
Thank you so much.
Julie says
I’m sorry you are dealing with this. I hope you’re able to get in and see your doctor soon. If you’re avoiding it due to fear of getting out, you might consider talking to them about what precautions they are taking.
Pam Lenzen says
I’m so glad these studies are finally being published. I fought and fought for the small fiber nerve biopsy. My density and morphology was borderline but the sweat test part of was conclusive. They also finally tested me with the paraneoplastic antibody panel developed by mayo clinic and found striational antibodies. I don’t fault the patients dx’d with fibro but I think it’s so widely over diagnosed without proper testing. If there’s an elevated sed rate (like I had), c reactive protein (like I had) I would fight to get to a neurologist…
Julie says
It goes back to we have to be our own advocates and chase the leads ourselves. If we just take what little info the doctors hand us we have nothing.
MJ says
Thats interesting about the dry eyes, as I too was recently diagnosed with that. The doctor said my eyes were so dry, they actually had dry patches on them. He thought it may be tied to my thyroid, but wasn’t certain. At any rate, he recommended an otc vitamin supplement and I was happily surprised at the relief in symptoms (took about 10-14 days to notice a change). I never thought to tie the dry eye to the fibro itself.
Thank you for posting such helpful and interesting information!
Julie says
What vitamin did he prescribe?
MJ says
It’s called MaxiTears. They carry them on Amazon, and I know I’ve seen them other places–but I don’t remember where right now. One word of warning though–while they do not give me any type of heartburn or other common fish-oil complaints, the vitamins themselves are HUGE. They are a soft gel, so they cannot be cut. But I didn’t even know I had dry eye (I too would get those stabbing pains occasionally), and I can tell a difference.
Julie says
So are they basically just fish oil? I have noticed that since I’ve upped my fish oil intake the dry eye issue hasn’t been nearly as bad.
MJ says
I believe so. I remember he said they were also good for the heart. I’m not a big vitamin/supplement taker (call me a non-believer after too many raised hopes), and haven’t compared the ingredients in these vs. some other fish oil capsules. My guess would be that any would help, but I really don’t know. I was just pleasantly shocked that I noticed a difference with these.
Julie says
I can understand that. I’ve tried a lot that didn’t help, but have found a few that definitely do.
Julie says
Hi Julie,
I don’t usually leave comments but I just wanted to let you know how much I look forward to receiving a notification that you have posted something. Reading it and then some of the comments.
Thankyou for taking the time to do this and thereby letting fellow fm sufferers know they are not alone.
I’m currently being diagnosed with coeliac disease, just to add to my ‘life joy’, but I’m taking it all on with a positive attitude largely because I found Counting My Spoons and knowing I’m not alone.
So, just, Thankyou
Julie says
Julie – thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment. It means a lot to me. I’m sorry you are now finding out you have coeliac but I’m betting that getting that under control will likely help your FM symptoms also.
Sherry says
Hi Julie! I have fibromyalgia and also have many eye issues. I have never connected the two. May I ask what eye problems that you have?
Julie says
Hi Sherry. When I first began having issues problems with my eyes were the first symptoms. I get stabbing pain in my right eye and my vision decreases randomly. I also have very dry eyes. The doctors first thought I may have optic neuritis but that was ruled out. I’ve since been diagnosed with cluster headaches (the stabbing pain in/around my eye). The dry eyes are still unexplained as are the random vision drops (but the latter may be related to migraines also).
Sherry says
Thanks, Julie! I have Fuch’s Syndrome and Macular Pucker. Sorry about your eye pain. I don’t have that problem. I do have Dry Eye Syndrome. Thanks for all you do! 🙂
Julie says
I’m sorry you are also dealing with so much. Please keep in touch.