Why Bruising Happens in Fibromyalgia: Insights & Interventions

Are you puzzled by unexplained bruises and suspecting fibromyalgia is the cause? Let's decode the phenomenon of "bruising fibromyalgia" and equip you with simple, effective tips to manage these bruises, steering clear of the condition's complexity.

The mystery of bruising in fibromyalgia

Imagine you're wrestling with the symptoms of fibromyalgia when suddenly, you notice an unexplained bruise. It's as if a small puzzle has unfolded on your skin without any forewarning – perhaps during your sleep or in the midst of your daily activities.

Perhaps the bruise materialized from the slightest of impacts, the sort that would normally go unnoticed. Or maybe you can't pinpoint any specific incident that could have caused it, but there it is anyway.

These stubborn marks have a tendency to linger much longer than your typical bruise – persisting for days, weeks, or sometimes months. The presentation can be diverse. Some are sizable and conspicuous discolorations, while others are so subtle that they could easily be overlooked.

In addition to bruises, fibromyalgia can come with a host of strange sensations on the skin, including:

  • prickling heat
  • pins-and-needles
  • persistent dryness
  • itchy, flushed outbreaks
  • sudden patches of numbness
  • a crawling feeling, as if insects are parading across your skin
  • skin that appears a tad off-kilter, perhaps slightly mottled or uneven in tone and texture.

Where are the unexplained bruises coming from?

So, you’ve noticed a random bruise but can't recall hitting anything. Can fibromyalgia be the reason for these unexplained bruises?

Let’s take a step back; fibromyalgia is caused by central sensitization. This is a disorder of the central nervous system that can impact all parts of the body. In central sensitization, the brain interprets normal sensations differently. This can make you feel pain – or fatigue, or fibro fog, or sleep troubles, or any number of other symptoms – even if there's no actual injury or damage.

Fibromyalgia doesn't actually cause bruises. But fibro fog and sleep deprivation can make you more likely to overlook or forget minor bumps that lead to bruising. And central sensitization ramps up the volume on pain, making minor bruises hurt more than you might expect.

Fibro fog

Brain fog, also known as fibro fog, is something many people with fibromyalgia deal with. You might feel forgetful, less alert, or even clumsy. 

When your thoughts are cloudy, you might not be as careful as normal and thus bump into things more often. And if it’s hard to pay attention, you might not notice when you bump into something. So, you end up with a bruise and no memory of how it got there.

Sleep deprivation

For anyone with fibromyalgia, getting good sleep is like trying to find a treasure chest without a map. It's tough, right?

When you don't sleep well, your body doesn't get the proper chance for restoration. This means you might end up more bruised and for longer than you'd expect. Sleep deprivation can also contribute to brain fog and fatigue. This can leave you feeling like you've run a marathon without even getting off the couch, which can make you more likely to bump into things or trip over. 

Snoozing better is like giving your body a superpower to fight off those bruises and kick some of those other fibromyalgia symptoms to the curb. Better sleep equals a happier, more energetic you, and who wouldn't want that?

Check out our guide on how to get better sleep.

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