Simple answer: yes, I think night shifts can cause fibromyalgia, to some extent. However, if you can’t stop working night shifts, there are ways to offset working nights and the toll it can take on your body.

I also think all the computer work I’ve always done helped create fibromyalgia in my body, but I still work on the computer. I couldn’t imagine a life without a computer. I love the Internet and technology. I’ve just had to learn to work in a way that doesn’t cause me pain or trouble.

So, I worked the night shift for 5 years before my fibromyalgia diagnosis. I remember sitting on the couch and just crying because I couldn’t sleep as well during the day as I did at night and I felt really bad, but I didn’t feel like I had a choice not to work at night.

One thing I did to help myself sleep better was valerian root, a darkened room, a fan, and earplugs to reduce noise, dismiss thoughts, and relaxing stretches.

Valerian root: I would take the full dosage allowed on the bottle one hour before bed. Smells bad but works fine.

I tried melatonin but it didn’t seem to help.

I would hide the room as much as possible with curtains and use an air conditioner to make sure I was comfortable. A fan and ear plugs would block out the noise.

One thing I would try right now if I was working night shifts, or had any trouble sleeping, is those nose strips that football players wear. I hadn’t come across this idea when I was working night shifts, but a book I recently read says that opening your nostrils can make a big difference in the quality of your sleep. It is surely worth a try.