Related Sponsors

What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Home » Diseases » Fibromyalgia » What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

There is a broad spectrum of symptoms of fibromyalgia which are related to various systems of the body. Because of this, diagnoses can often be difficult and take a very long time. Widespread, chronic pain is the most common symptom. Pain may occur anywhere in the body, but the primary locations are the neck, back, shoulders and hands. It usually happens in parallel locations in the body. The pain is most commonly described as aching, throbbing, and stabbing. In addition to pain, there are several other signs a person may have fibromyalgia:

· Fatigue-The weariness associated with fibromyalgia is often a drained, exhausted type of fatigue. Whereas a good nights’ sleep and a day of rest may restore normal people, this is not true for those with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is believed to be closely linked to chronic fatigue syndrome.

· Sleep problems-Patients often wake up saying they feel like they have been run over by a “Mack truck,” explaining their unrefreshed sleep. Sleep disruptions may be due to increased brain activity in stage 4, or deep level sleep, called the alpha- EEG anomaly. Other problems with sleep may be related to restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and upper airway-resistance syndrome.

· Tingling and numbness-Fibromyalgia patients describe feelings of numbness and tingling, especially in the extremities. They describe it as if that part of the body has “gone to sleep.”

· Morning stiffness-Mornings can be the most difficult time of day for fibromyalgia sufferers. They feel achy and tight in the morning and often take a while to get moving in the morning.

· Headaches-Facial pain and neck stiffness, common in fibromyalgia patients, often result in chronic headaches. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) is more prevalent among people with fibromyalgia.

· Anxiety or depression-These symptoms may be a result of the reduced serotonin in patients as well as an outcome of living with the limits and discomforts of the syndrome. 25% of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia seek professional help for depression.

· Dry Eyes and mouth-People may also experience decrease secretions in their eyes and mouth. They may also experience difficulty focusing on objects.

· Hyper-sensitivity-People who suffer from fibromyalgia report a heightened sensitivity to touch, smell, noise and light.

· Lightheadedness and dizziness-These symptoms may also affect balance and cause nausea.

· Memory and concentration problems (sometimes called “fibro-brain”)- Sufferers report increased difficulty remembering daily things, focusing on specific

· Digestive Problems- Alternating constipation and diarrhea, bloating, cramping, heartburn, gas, urinary frequency or urgency, and pain in the pelvic and bladder region are all symptomatic of fibromyalgia.

· Flu-like symptoms-Aches, pains, fatigue and headaches all cause a person to feel as if they actually have the flu.

The variety and severity of symptoms caused by fibromyalgia vary from person to person.

Next Page: Diagnoses

Related Fibromyalgia Articles