Living with fibromyalgia or chronic primary pain can feel like navigating a fog with no map. One day you’re managing; the next you’re flaring and can’t remember why. Your GP might have given you a diagnosis, but not much explanation. Online, you either find miracle cures that don’t work or complicated research you can’t make sense of when you’re exhausted.
That’s where Stems From The Gut comes in. This is a fibromyalgia chronic pain blog that explains the science behind your symptoms in plain English, without over-promising or overselling. It’s here to help you understand what’s happening in your body – especially the gut–brain connection – so you can make informed choices that actually fit your life.
You’re not looking for another person telling you to “just try harder”. You’re looking for realistic, evidence-informed support. That’s exactly what you’ll find here.
What you’ll find on this fibromyalgia chronic pain blog
This blog focuses on fibromyalgia and chronic primary pain, plus overlapping conditions like ME/CFS and Long COVID. The posts cover the topics that actually matter when you’re living with these conditions:
Sleep and circadian rhythm. Why your sleep is disrupted, how that affects pain and fatigue, and what might genuinely help without requiring heroic effort.
Gut health and the gut–brain–immune connection. How your digestive system, nervous system and immune system talk to each other, and why that matters for fibromyalgia symptoms. This isn’t about promising gut-healing cures; it’s about understanding the biology so you can make sense of your experience.
Flares, pacing and nervous-system support. How to recognise your patterns, work with your limits instead of fighting them, and manage the boom-and-bust cycle that so many of us fall into. No graded exercise plans, no “push through the wall” advice – just pacing that respects post-exertional symptom worsening.
Gentle lifestyle ideas that respect energy limits. Small, practical adjustments to movement, food, rest and routine – things you can actually do when you’re already exhausted.
Everything is written with the understanding that you’re managing a real, physical condition. Not “all in your head”, not something you can positive-think your way out of.
Who this is for (and who it isn’t for)
This blog is for you if you’re tired of feeling dismissed. If you want explanations that respect both the science and your lived experience. If you’re fed up with conflicting advice that ignores how severe your fatigue or pain actually is.
It’s for people who want plain-English help understanding fibromyalgia, chronic pain and why their body responds the way it does – without the hype or the judgement.
It isn’t the right blog if you’re looking for quick miracle cures, or if you want someone to tell you that you just need to exercise more and think positive. Those approaches don’t work for fibromyalgia and chronic primary pain, and this blog won’t pretend they do.
How we talk about evidence and safety
Every post on Stems From The Gut is evidence-informed and, where relevant, aligned with NICE guidelines and current research. That means the information you read here is based on what the science actually says – not exaggerated, not twisted to sell you something.
At the same time, this blog is honest about uncertainty. Fibromyalgia research is still developing, and there’s a lot we don’t know yet. When the evidence is unclear or mixed, the posts will tell you that.
This is general information, not personal medical advice. It can’t replace speaking with your GP or specialist, and you should always check any changes to your routine or treatment with your own doctor first. But it can help you have more informed conversations with them.
Where to start
If you’re new here, you can read more on the About page to learn about the story and aims behind Stems From The Gut. It explains why this blog exists and what it’s trying to do.
Head to the Articles page to browse posts on fibromyalgia, sleep, flares, gut–brain topics and more. Start wherever feels most relevant to what you’re dealing with right now. You don’t need to read everything at once – come back when you have the energy.
A gentle closing note
Living with fibromyalgia or chronic pain doesn’t mean you’re lazy, weak or failing. It means you’re managing a complex, often invisible condition that affects multiple systems in your body. That takes enormous effort, even when no one else can see it.
This blog is here to help you feel a little less alone, and a bit more equipped to understand what’s happening. One small step at a time, at your own pace.
If you’re not sure where to begin, start with the basics below, or browse everything on the Articles page.
Where to Start
• Begin with our overview: What Is Fibromyalgia? (And What It Isn’t)
• Then explore Fibromyalgia and Sleep: Can Fixing Your Sleep Really Help Pain and Exhaustion?
• When you’re ready, read Fibromyalgia Sleep and Flares: How Bad Nights Turn Up Pain and PEM to understand why bad nights can trigger crashes
Key resources & references
NICE guidance on chronic primary pain (NG193)
NICE guidance on ME/CFS: diagnosis and management (NG206)
Versus Arthritis – Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia Action UK (FMA UK)
Written by Stems From The Gut
Created by someone living with fibromyalgia, chronic pain and messy gut issues. I write in plain English to help you feel more informed and less alone. You can read more about who we are and how we use evidence on the Authors & Medical Stance page.