The information on this page reflects lived experience and emerging research on overlapping spectrum conditions. Fibromyalgia is a complex condition.
If symptoms are severe or persistent, seeking guidance from a qualified healthcare professional is important.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is often described as a chronic pain condition, but many people experience it as part of a broader spectrum of nervous system and sensory regulation differences.
People with fibromyalgia commonly experience widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and sensory sensitivity.
In our family we noticed that fibromyalgia-like symptoms sometimes appeared alongside other conditions such as migraine, hypermobility, ME/CFS, and autism.
This led us to explore how these conditions might connect through sensitive regulatory systems.
Fibromyalgia as a Spectrum
Fibromyalgia affects how the nervous system processes pain and sensory information.
Common symptoms may include:
• widespread muscle or body pain
• fatigue or reduced energy
• sleep that does not feel refreshing
• brain fog or difficulty concentrating
• heightened sensitivity to touch, temperature, or pressure
• headaches or migraine
• digestive symptoms
• increased symptoms after stress or exertion
Symptoms can vary widely between individuals, which is why some people describe fibromyalgia as part of a spectrum of pain and sensory processing conditions.
How Fibromyalgia Links to ALPIMS
Many fibromyalgia symptoms involve the regulatory systems described in the ALPIMS framework.
Autonomic
The nervous system may become easily overwhelmed by stress, activity, or environmental demands.
Pain
Fibromyalgia involves altered pain processing in the central nervous system.
Immune
Inflammatory or immune-related processes may contribute to symptoms in some individuals.
Mood
Living with chronic pain and fatigue can affect emotional regulation and resilience.
Sensory
Many people with fibromyalgia experience strong sensitivity to sound, light, temperature, or touch.
Looking at fibromyalgia through these systems helped us understand how it could overlap with other spectrum conditions in our family.
Fibromyalgia and Overlapping Conditions
Researchers increasingly recognise that fibromyalgia can occur alongside other conditions such as:
• migraine spectrum disorders
• hypermobility spectrum disorders
• ME/CFS
• autonomic disorders such as POTS
• sensory processing differences
These overlaps helped us recognise patterns across our own family’s health experiences.
You can read more about this idea on our page about Overlapping Spectrum Conditions.
What Helped in Our Family
Everyone’s experience with fibromyalgia is different, but some approaches that helped reduce symptom load in our family included:
• pacing physical and mental activity
• allowing recovery time after busy periods
• protecting sleep routines
• reducing sensory overload
• maintaining gentle movement where possible
Small adjustments often made daily life more manageable.
Resources and Support – Australia
Recommended for Fibromyalgia by Health Direct
- Arthritis Australia has developed a booklet called ‘Taking control of your fibromyalgia‘.
- Fibromyalgia Australia has information on fibromyalgia for patients, doctors and the community.
- The painHEALTH website has information, tips, support and personal stories to help you manage musculoskeletal pain, and has a page on fibromyalgia.
- The Pain Management Network has information about chronic pain for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
- Beyond Blue offers support for anxiety, depression and suicide — call on 1300 22 4636 or chat to a counsellor online.
- You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Other Resources we have liked
- Painguide
- Treatcfsfm.org
