Are fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome linked?
Ask the doctor
Q. Is there a connection between IBS and fibromyalgia?
A. While there is no definite, direct connection between them, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and fibromyalgia do occur together in many people.
Doctors diagnose IBS based on a set of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. No blood test or scan can confirm IBS, although testing may be useful to rule out other causes of gastrointestinal symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is a painful condition of the bones, muscles, and joints associated with poor quality sleep, fatigue, and multiple areas of soreness. It is also diagnosed by its symptoms. Standard tests of the joints, muscles, and bones are normal.
Several studies have noted a higher incidence of fibromyalgia among people with IBS than in those without IBS; similarly, IBS is more common among people with fibromyalgia. The meaning of this is unclear. They could have a similar (or even identical) cause, though, so far, no cause has been identified for either.
The treatment of fibromyalgia could make the symptoms of IBS worse. For example, amitriptyline (Elavil), a drug often prescribed for fibromyalgia, may make the constipation of IBS worse. And Lotronex (alosetron), prescribed for IBS, may occasionally cause muscle aches and fatigue, symptoms that are prominent with fibromyalgia.
It's possible that IBS and fibromyalgia are more closely related than is currently recognized. In the future, a better understanding of either condition could lead to new preventive measures and treatments for both.
Image: © Jana Murr/Getty Images
About the Author
Robert H. Shmerling, MD, Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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