Fibromyalgia Patients Struggle as NHS Fails to Provide Care

Published: 28 November 2025 Friday. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

People suffering from fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, are facing serious challenges accessing timely and effective care through the NHS, according to new research led by Aberdeen University. Patients report waiting years for a diagnosis, undergoing unnecessary tests, and being prescribed medications that may be harmful or only marginally effective.

The condition, which affects roughly one in 20 people, causes widespread pain, extreme fatigue, cognitive problems, stiffness, headaches, and poor sleep quality. Despite the severity of symptoms, some patients, including Adele Williams from Aberdeen, have encountered skepticism from medical professionals, with some even being dismissed as “lazy.”

Adele, 62, has lived with fibromyalgia for years. She describes the condition as a daily struggle, with her mornings beginning with a combination of painkillers to manage full-body pain, fatigue, and brain fog. “It’s difficult to put in a box because it’s different every day,” she said. “It can be dull, throbbing, or sharp, like somebody is stabbing you with a screwdriver.” Despite the pain, she tries to maintain a semblance of normal life, keeping appointments and activities in her diary to give herself something to look forward to.

For many, the journey to diagnosis is long and fraught with frustration. Adele ultimately paid for private medical consultations to secure a diagnosis after being repeatedly dismissed in the NHS. Even after confirmation, she says the support offered remains minimal. “The diagnosis was a relief but since then it’s been a case of there is no care pathway. You are told it’s definitely fibromyalgia you have—here are some painkillers,” she explained.

The Aberdeen University-led study highlighted systemic issues in how the NHS handles fibromyalgia. There is no consistent model of care, diagnosis is often delayed—particularly in men—and post-diagnosis support is limited. Many patients experience a “revolving door” of referrals between pain management, gastroenterology, and surgical specialties, with significant personal and professional costs. Medication remains the default approach, despite patients favoring holistic and personalised support plans.

Professor Gary MacFarlane, who led the research, said: “We are really only in the changing room of the race. Patients are not getting early diagnosis, nor access to effective care. Instead, they are being given painkillers that are only marginally effective and can have side effects.” He added that many clinicians hold unhelpful attitudes toward fibromyalgia, questioning its existence or dismissing patients as distressed or fabricating symptoms.

Specialist clinicians, including Dr Rosemary Hollick, stress the need for structured care pathways. She notes that patients often undergo lengthy investigations without answers, inappropriate treatment, and experience avoidable harm. “It’s also costing the NHS a lot of money and potentially causing harm. It is about early diagnosis, getting appropriate support, and understanding the condition,” Dr Hollick said.

For patients like Adele, the lack of support can be isolating. “I don’t want it to take over my life. I just want to get on with my life and have and do everything I want to do, and it just fits in with me,” she said.

The Scottish government has acknowledged the shortcomings and promised ongoing improvements. Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Everyone should be able to access the services they need, when and where they need them. We continue to work closely with the NHS to improve how services are accessed and delivered for patients and are making progress on the issues that people with lived experience of chronic pain have told us matter most to them.”

The study and patients’ experiences underscore the urgent need for NHS reform in chronic pain management, particularly for conditions like fibromyalgia, where early diagnosis and personalised, holistic care could greatly improve quality of life and reduce unnecessary suffering.