Fibromyalgia
The widespread pain and fatigue that comes with having fibromyalgia can be debilitating. It can leave otherwise healthy people without a way to cope with their daily lives. At The Vesey we are familiar with the all over body pain, severe fatigue and sleep disturbance that is a part of fibromyalgia. In the majority of patients, fibromyalgia is the primary diagnosis but in a significant number of c
What it is
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed clinically using the 2016 ACR criteria — widespread pain with a high Symptom Severity Score persisting for at least 3 months, with no better-fitting cause. It frequently coexists with depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome. Treatment is multidisciplinary.
Symptoms and signs
- Widespread musculoskeletal pain affecting both sides of the body, above and below the waist.
- Profound fatigue not relieved by sleep.
- Unrefreshing sleep — light, broken, often with restless legs.
- "Fibro fog" — cognitive slowing, difficulty concentrating, word-finding difficulty.
- Coexisting irritable bowel, headache, jaw pain, sensitivity to light / sound / cold.
How we investigate
Structured history with widespread pain index, examination, bloods to exclude inflammatory and metabolic mimics (FBC, ESR, CRP, TSH, vitamin D, B12, ferritin, U&E, calcium, CK). MRI only where there is a clear focal indication — overinvestigation is itself a problem in fibromyalgia.
Treatment options at The Vesey
- Patient education and reframing — the single most evidence-based intervention.
- Graded exercise and sleep optimisation — structured, low-intensity, progressive.
- Pharmacotherapy — low-dose amitriptyline, duloxetine, pregabalin, depending on dominant symptoms; carefully titrated, with clear stop-rules.
- CBT or ACT — coordinated with our partner clinical psychology teams.
- Comorbidity management — IBS, mood, sleep apnoea screening and treatment.
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed? +
Fibromyalgia is a clinical diagnosis using the 2016 ACR criteria — widespread pain lasting more than 3 months with a high Symptom Severity Score, and no better-fitting cause after blood tests to exclude inflammatory, metabolic and thyroid conditions.
What medications are used for fibromyalgia? +
Low-dose amitriptyline improves sleep and reduces pain sensitisation. Duloxetine addresses pain and comorbid low mood. Pregabalin can reduce the amplified pain signalling but is carefully titrated to avoid side effects. No single drug works for everyone and we adjust based on your dominant symptoms.
Is exercise safe if I have fibromyalgia? +
Yes — graded aerobic exercise is one of the most evidence-based treatments for fibromyalgia. The key is starting very low (even 5 minutes walking) and increasing very slowly. Pushing through severe flares is counterproductive; pacing is the skill to learn.
Does fibromyalgia get better over time? +
With structured management — education, graded exercise, optimised sleep and, where needed, medication — most patients achieve meaningful improvement in pain and function. A minority have sustained remission. The goal is not cure but regaining control of daily life.
Pricing at a glance
Initial pain medicine consultation £260 (60-minute slot). Workup bloods from £190. Repeat reviews £190. Insurance accepted: BUPA, Vitality, AXA, WPA, Cigna, Aviva, Healix.
Book an appointment
When to see a specialist
Book if you have had widespread pain for more than 3 months without a clear diagnosis, or if you have a fibromyalgia label but no structured management plan.
Cost and pathway
Initial pain medicine consultation £260 (60-minute slot). Workup bloods from £190. Repeat reviews £190.
- Open 7 days including Sundays — 8am to 8pm, no weekend surcharge
- No GP referral required — book directly with our pain medicine team
- Sutton Coldfield location — serving Birmingham, Walsall, Tamworth, Lichfield and the West Midlands
- CQC-regulated — rated 4.88/5 on Doctify from 700+ verified reviews
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Sutton Coldfield · Birmingham · Walsall · Tamworth · Lichfield · West Midlands · Open 7 days 8am–8pm
Open 7 days · 8am–8pm · 0121 387 3727