Fibromyalgia in Old Age

Over the long term, some people with fibromyalgia find their symptoms ease or even disappear. For others, the pain and tiredness stick around for life. Because fibromyalgia does not shorten life expectancy, many people who have it will carry the condition into old age, and some will only develop it later in life.

This article looks at how fibromyalgia affects older people, both those who have lived with it for years and those who first notice symptoms after 60.

Can fibromyalgia start in later life?

Fibromyalgia most often begins between the ages of 35 and 60, and it is more common in women than men, particularly during the childbearing years. The average age of onset is around 45. That said, it can appear in children, and it can also start much later in life.

There has not been a great deal of research into older people who develop widespread pain late in life, or who have lived with it quietly for years without a clear diagnosis. The studies that do exist suggest that around 7% of people between 60 and 79 have fibromyalgia. Work done in Norway and Sweden has also found that people with a history of back pain or other long-term pain are more likely to go on to develop widespread pain, including fibromyalgia, as they get older.

One reason late-onset cases may be missed is that older people often have other conditions that can produce similar symptoms, such as arthritis, so the fibromyalgia element gets overlooked.

Symptoms in older people

The core symptoms tend to be the same whatever age fibromyalgia begins. These include:

• widespread muscle pain and tenderness
• fatigue that does not improve with rest
• muscle stiffness, especially in the morning
• headaches
• poor sleep or insomnia
• problems with short-term memory and concentration, sometimes called "fibro fog"

Some smaller studies suggest that older people with fibromyalgia may be more likely to have severe stiffness, more disturbed sleep, and greater difficulty with daily tasks than younger people with the condition. Depression and anxiety are also common, partly because chronic pain wears people down over time, and partly because older people may already be coping with bereavement, isolation or other health issues.

The picture can be complicated by the natural aches and slower movement that come with age, and by other long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis or diabetes. Telling these apart from fibromyalgia is not always straightforward, and it usually takes a careful conversation with a GP to work out what is causing what.

Flare Up Analyser

Describe your current flare up and we will help you identify likely triggers and what might ease it.

Try our Flare Up Analyser free, here on this site →

Getting a diagnosis later in life

Diagnosis in older people follows the same general approach as for anyone else. There is no single test for fibromyalgia. A GP will usually:

• ask about the pattern and length of the pain
• rule out other conditions through blood tests and a physical examination
• look at how widespread the tenderness is and how long symptoms have lasted

If you are over 60 and think you may have fibromyalgia, it is worth keeping a simple record of your symptoms before the appointment: where the pain is, how long you have had it, what makes it worse, how you sleep, and how it affects daily activities. This makes the appointment more useful and helps avoid the symptoms being put down to "just getting older".

Treatment and managing symptoms

Treatment is much the same as for younger adults, but with a few extra considerations. Older people are often already taking medication for other conditions, so any new prescription needs to be checked carefully for interactions. Some of the drugs commonly used for fibromyalgia, such as certain antidepressants and nerve pain medicines, can cause drowsiness, dizziness or balance problems, which raises the risk of falls.

Non-drug approaches matter just as much, and sometimes more, in later life. These can include:

• gentle exercise such as walking, swimming or tai chi, which can help with balance, flexibility and mood
• warm water exercise classes, which many people find easier on their joints
• physiotherapy to build strength and mobility at a manageable pace
• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for managing pain, low mood and sleep
• pacing activities so that good days are not followed by a crash

For further information and support, the NHS website has practical guidance on managing fibromyalgia, and a GP can refer you to a pain clinic or rheumatology service if symptoms are not improving. Charities such as Fibromyalgia Action UK and Versus Arthritis also run helplines, online resources and local support groups.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Practical help and benefits

Fibromyalgia can affect what you are able to do around the house, how far you can walk, and whether you can live independently. If symptoms are limiting daily life, one option in England is to ask the local council for a needs assessment under the Care Act 2014. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own social care systems, so the route is slightly different. An assessment can lead to help with adaptations, equipment, or home care. A family member who provides care can also request a separate carer's assessment.

Older people with fibromyalgia may be entitled to benefits depending on how much help they need. Attendance Allowance is aimed at people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision because of a disability or illness. Pension Credit may also top up income for those on a low pension, and comes in two parts: Guarantee Credit, which tops up weekly income to a minimum level, and Savings Credit, which is an extra payment for some people who saved towards retirement. Rates and eligibility criteria are updated regularly, so it is worth checking GOV.UK for the latest figures.

If you are still under State Pension age, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) may apply instead. Citizens Advice can help with forms and appeals, which can be one of the harder parts of claiming.

Living with fibromyalgia in later years

Fibromyalgia in old age is not always a worsening picture. Some people find their symptoms settle as they slow down and have more control over their day. Others find the condition harder to manage alongside other health problems. Much depends on overall health, support at home, and access to good medical care.

The general advice that helps younger people with fibromyalgia works in later life too: staying gently active with something like a short daily walk, keeping a regular sleep routine, pacing tasks across the day, and looking after mental health through company, hobbies or talking therapies. The pace may be slower and the goals smaller, but the principles are the same.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Flare Up Analyser lets you describe your current flare up and we will help you identify likely triggers and what might ease it. Try it now →