A change in physical activities and even weather can bring on symptoms of chronic pain. People living with fibromyalgia know it can be a difficult disorder to manage.

Dr. Ranju Wadhwa, a rheumatologist at Lee Memorial Health System, says fibromyalgia can cause pain in your muscles and joints. “Fibromyalgia is a condition where a patient has wide spread pain throughout her body with increased sensitivity to touch.”

Those living with fibromyalgia often experience fatigue, trouble sleeping, even mood change. “They may have migraine headaches, tension headaches, spine pain, pain in the neck and lower back,” said Dr. Wadhwa.

It’s pain Cynthia Wafford lives with every day. “I have back pain. My right knee was replaced two years ago, but my left knee now is giving me some joint pain.” People with fibromyalgia can also experience constipation, depression, and anxiety. While the cause is unclear, health experts say it’s more common in women between the ages of 15 and 40 who have a family history of it.

Because there’s no blood test to diagnose fibromyalgia health experts typically diagnose patients by ruling out other disorders that can mimic fibromyalgia. “The key for treatment is to keep exercising. Exercises are good, aerobic exercises, pool aquatic therapy,” said Dr. Wadhwa.

Cynthia says distraction techniques also help her when the pain becomes overwhelming. “You count back from 100 by threes, that has really, really helped me.” While there’s no cure for fibromyalgia there are a variety of prescribed and over the counter medications to help manage the pain.