It’s no secret that fibromyalgia can cause pain in your scalp, and many frustrated patients suffer with this problem.
The pain of fibromyalgia is body-wide, so it shouldn’t be surprising that it extends to the scalp. Nevertheless, why does this occur?
“This often comes from the scalp muscles being tight if it’s diffuse,” says Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, medical director of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers nationally, and author of “The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution.”
“…or can be referred to the top of the head from neck muscles where they attach to the skull,” he continues.
“In addition, allodynia is another kind of pain that may be present in fibromyalgia.” Allo means other, and dynia means pain.
“Allodynia refers to when light touch on the skin is painful,” adds Dr. Teitelbaum.
“It is associated with increased activity of a neurotransmitter called NMDA, and generally responds to overall treatment of the fibromyalgia.”
So what treatment is best if you have scalp pain coming from fibromyalgia?
Dr. Teitelbaum recommends the low cost generics Ultram and Neurontin over the pricey and, as he says, less effective Savella, Cymbalta and Lyrica.
He also recommends End Pain by Enzymatic Therapy, and Curamin by EuroPharma.
For both of these, take two caps three times daily, over six weeks to reap the full effect. Then the dose can be lowered.
is a board certified internist and nationally known expert in the fields of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep and pain.
