Fibromyalgia⚡Mnemonic⚡ : 100% Chance You Won’t Forget !

Causes of Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “STRESS”

S – Sleep problems

T – Trauma, physical or emotional

R – Rheumatic diseases

E – Environmental factors

S – Sensitivity to pain increased

S – Stress, chronic

Triggers for Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “COLD RAIN”

C – Cold weather

O – Overexertion

L – Lack of sleep

D – Dietary triggers

R – Repetitive injuries

A – Anxiety and stress

I – Infections

N – Noise and bright lights

Risk Factors For Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “FAMILY AGE”

F – Female gender

A – Autoimmune diseases

M – Mood disorders

I – Irregular sleep patterns

L – Lack of exercise

Y – Young to middle age

A – Anxiety disorders

G – Genetic predisposition

E – Environmental factors

Warning Signs of Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “PAINS”

P – Pervasive pain

A – Anxiety and depression

I – Insomnia

N – Numbness or tingling

S – Stiffness

Predisposing Factors of Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “GENTLE”

G – Gender (female)

E – Emotional trauma

N – Neurological conditions

T – Traumatic injuries

L – Lifestyle factors

E – Environmental stresses

Signs & Symptoms of Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “FIBRO HUGS”

F – Fatigue

I – Insomnia

B – Brain fog

R – Restless legs

O – Overwhelming discomfort

H – Headaches

U – Unexplained mood swings

G – Gastrointestinal issues

S – Sensitivity to stimuli

Characteristic Findings In Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “TENDER POINTS”

T – Tender points widespread

E – Elevated pain perception

N – Non-restorative sleep

D – Diffuse pain

E – Emotional distress

R – Restlessness

P – Psychological stress

O – Overwhelming fatigue

I – Irritable bowel syndrome

N – Neurological symptoms

T – Temperature sensitivity

S – Stiffness

What Should Be Avoided In Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “NO STRESS”

N – Night-time stimulants

O – Overexertion

S – Stress

T – Tobacco

R – Refined sugars

E – Excessive caffeine

S – Sedentary lifestyle

S – Sleep deprivation

Drugs Used To Treat Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “PAIN MEDS”

P – Pregabalin

A – Antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs)

I – Ibuprofen (for pain)

N – Naltrexone (low dose)

M – Muscle relaxants

E – Exercise therapy

D – Duloxetine

S – Sleep aids

Drugs To Avoid In Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “NO OPIATES”

N – NSAIDs (can be ineffective)

O – Opioids (risk of dependence)

O – Overuse of caffeine

P – Paracetamol (limited efficacy)

I – Intense muscle relaxants

A – Alcohol

T – Tobacco

E – Excessive sedatives

S – Steroids (not typically effective)

Radiological Features of Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “CLEAR SCAN”

C – Clear (usually no abnormalities)

L – Lack of inflammation

E – Even joint spaces

A – Absence of erosions

R – Regular bone density

S – Soft tissues normal

C – Consistent with clinical findings

A – Absence of specific markers

N – Normal appearance overall

Diagnostic Tests for Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “TEST PAIN”

T – Tender point examination

E – Exclusion of other conditions

S – Sleep studies

T – Trigger point assessment

P – Psychological evaluation

A – Activity levels assessment

I – Inflammatory markers (to rule out other conditions)

N – Neurological evaluation

Laboratory Findings In Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “NORMAL LABS”

N – Normal ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate)

O – Often normal CBC (Complete Blood Count)

R – Rheumatoid factor usually negative

M – Muscle enzymes normal

A – ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies) typically negative

L – Lack of specific markers

L – Liver function tests normal

A – Absence of inflammatory indicators

B – Basic metabolic panel normal

S – Sed rate usually normal

Contraindications of Fibromyalgia Medications:

Mnemonic: “WATCH OUT”

W – Warfarin (care with SSRIs)

A – Alcohol (with CNS depressants)

T – Tramadol (risk with antidepressants)

C – CNS depressants (sedatives, muscle relaxants)

H – Hypertension drugs

O – Opioids

U – Ulcer medications

T – Tobacco (reduces medication efficacy)

Side effects of Fibromyalgia Medications:

Mnemonic: “SIDE EFFECTS”

S – Sleepiness

I – Intestinal issues (nausea, diarrhea)

D – Dizziness

E – Euphoria or mood swings

E – Edema

F – Fatigue

F – Fog, brain

E – Elevated heart rate

C – Constipation

T – Tremors

S – Sexual dysfunction

Clinical Features of Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “CHRONIC PAINS”

C – Chronic widespread pain

H – Headaches

R – Restless legs syndrome

O – Overwhelming fatigue

N – Numbness in hands/feet

I – Irritable bowel syndrome

C – Cognitive difficulties

P – Painful tender points

A – Anxiety and depression

I – Insomnia

N – Non-restorative sleep

S – Sensitivity to touch, light, and sound

Complications of Fibromyalgia:

Mnemonic: “TOUGH LIFE”

T – Tension headaches

O – Overlapping syndromes (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome)

U – Unrefreshing sleep

G – Gastrointestinal problems

H – Heightened sensitivity

L – Lifestyle limitations

I – Increased risk of depression

F – Fatigue, chronic

E – Exacerbation of pain

Mnemonic for Differential Diagnosis of Myalgia: 

Mnemonic  : VIBRANT PENGUINS

V – Viral infections (e.g., influenza)

I – Inflammatory disorders (e.g., polymyalgia rheumatica)

B – Blood disorders (e.g., anemia)

R – Rheumatologic conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)

A – Autoimmune diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus)

N – Neuromuscular diseases (e.g., myasthenia gravis)

T – Thyroid disorders (e.g., hypothyroidism)

P – Physical overexertion or trauma

E – Electrolyte imbalances (e.g., hypokalemia)

N – Nutritional deficiencies (e.g., vitamin D deficiency)

G – Genetic disorders (e.g., muscular dystrophies)

U – Uremia and other renal conditions

I – Infections of other kinds (e.g., bacterial, parasitic)

N – Neoplastic conditions (e.g., cancers, lymphoma)

S – Substance abuse or medication side effects (e.g., statins)