Is fibro fog real?
Yes. When people with fibromyalgia take standard memory and attention tests, many score measurably lower than people without it. In one well-known study, their working memory resembled that of people about 20 years older.
Is fibromyalgia an autoimmune disease?
It isn't a classic autoimmune disease: it doesn't destroy tissue and routine blood tests are usually normal. But in a 2021 study, antibodies taken from people with fibromyalgia caused pain sensitivity when transferred into mice. Research on an antibody-driven subgroup is ongoing.
Could it be something else?
Several conditions overlap with fibromyalgia. Low vitamin B12 can cause fatigue, tingling and memory problems, and thyroid disease, iron deficiency and sleep disorders can add to the picture. It's worth asking whether these have been checked.
Why do fibro headaches happen?
Headaches are common in fibromyalgia and are linked to the same changes in pain processing, along with muscle tension in the neck and shoulders and poor sleep.
Questions to bring to your doctor
Each of our videos ends with questions like these. Write them on your Prep Pack or tracker and take them with you.
- Have my thyroid, B12, iron and vitamin D been checked?
- Could any of my medicines be affecting my memory or focus?
Sources
- NIAMS: Fibromyalgia
- Park et al., 2001. Cognitive function in fibromyalgia patients
- Goebel et al., 2021. Passive transfer of fibromyalgia symptoms from patients to mice
Each video description lists the full studies behind that episode.
This page is education, not medical advice. It doesn’t diagnose or treat any condition. Talk to your doctor before changing your care, and never stop or change a medication on your own.
