What causes fibromyalgia?

No one knows for sure what causes fibromyalgia. But experts have some ideas, such as:

  • Nerve cells may be too sensitive.
  • Chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters) may be out of balance.
  • The deep phase of sleep may be disrupted. This can affect the amount of hormones that your body releases.

Many people connect the start of their symptoms to a certain event. Examples include the flu, an injury or surgery, or emotional trauma and stress. An event of this type combined with other things, such as being more sensitive to pain and having sleep problems, may lead to fibromyalgia in some people.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies currently accepting participants. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

Open Trials Closed Trials