Fibromyalgia.
Last updated Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Figure 1 - Dots indicate possible locations of tender points SymptomsWhat are symptoms of fibromyalgia? In fibromyalgia, generalized, widespread muscular pain
and tender points (see figure 1) may be present. Pain is generally felt
all over, although it may start in one region, such as the neck and
shoulders, and seems to spread over a period of time. Fibromyalgia pain
has been described in a variety of ways including: burning, radiating,
gnawing, sore, stiff, and aching. It often varies according to time of
the day, activity level, weather, sleep patterns, and stress levels.
Most people with fibromyalgia say that some degree of pain is always
present. They sense that the pain is mainly in their muscles and often
note that fibromyalgia feels like a persistent flu.
About 90 percent of people with fibromyalgia describe moderate or severe fatigue
with lack of energy, decreased exercise endurance, or the kind of
exhaustion felt with the flu or with lack of sleep. Often the fatigue
is more of a problem and more troubling than the pain. Generally,
people with fibromyalgia wake up feeling tired, even after sleeping
throughout the night. They may be aware that their sleep has become
lighter and that they wake up during the night. Scientific studies have
demonstrated that most people with fibromyalgia have an abnormal sleep
pattern, especially an interruption in their deep sleep.
The fatigue in fibromyalgia is similar to that in another condition
called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Some people with fibromyalgia
have symptoms of CFS, and vice versa. For example, many people with CFS
have the tender points and symptoms considered to be diagnostic of
fibromyalgia.
Changes in mood and thinking are common in fibromyalgia. Many
individuals feel "blue" or "down," although only about 25 percent are
truly depressed at the time of diagnosis, many people with fibromyalgia
have a personal history of depression or anxiety at some time in their
life. Mood disorders share many similar symptoms with fibromyalgia and
vice versa.
There is evidence that some people with fibromyalgia have a history
of abuse or neglect during their life as well. It is not clear yet what
role these issues might play in the development and continuation of
fibromyalgia but these are important things to discuss with your health
care provider since addressing such issues may help reduce the symptoms
of fibromyalgia and help the person affected cope with the illness.
As with other chronic illnesses, people with fibromyalgia may report
difficulty concentrating or performing simple mental tasks. There is no
evidence that these problems become more serious. Similar problems have
been noted in many people with sleep disturbances of all kinds or with
mood changes.
People with fibromyalgia may have feelings of numbness and tingling
in their hands, arms, feet, legs, or sometimes in their face. These
feelings can suggest other disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome,
neuritis, or even multiple sclerosis. Therefore, people with
fibromyalgia often undergo numerous tests for such conditions, only to
find that the test results are normal.
Headaches, especially muscular (tension) and migraine headaches, are
common in fibromyalgia. Abdominal pain, bloating, and alternating
constipation and diarrhea are also common. This may resemble irritable bowel syndrome or "spastic colon." Similar bladder spasms and irritability may cause urinary urgency or frequency.
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