Fibromyalgia is, unfortunately, a common issue which affects 3-5 million people, or 1 in every five people.
This syndrome is characterized by debilitating pain in the entire body. Yet, chronic muscle pain does not necessarily mean that you suffer from fibromyalgia, as this condition leads to other symptoms as well.
Yet, if your muscles ache all of the time, you need to check the list of fibromyalgia symptoms and see if you need to find a proper treatment or you can rule out fibromyalgia as a potential cause.
Fibromyalgia symptoms :
Muscle and Body Tissues
- Muscle Twitching
- Morning stiffness
- Swelling
- Mild to severe pain that may move around to different parts of the body
- Tender and lumpy breasts (Fibrocystic breasts, as an overlapping condition)
Sleep Problems
- Fatigue
- Grinding teeth
- Muscle twitching even while sleeping
- Having the sensation of falling while sleeping (“Sleep Starts”)
- Difficulty sleeping/broken sleeping pattern, leaving you feeling tired and lethargic each morning as opposed to refreshed.
Allergy and Sinus Issues
- Ringing ears
- Thick mucus
- Itchy ears and earaches
- Runny nose and post nasal drip
- Allergies, sensitivity to molds and yeasts
- Shortness of breath
Stomach and Digestion Problems
- Bloating, nausea, abdominal cramps, and pelvic pain
- Frequent urination (always need to pee, get up every night, often more than once)
- IBS
Sensory Problems and Sensitivity
- Sensitive to smells, light, noise, temperature, pressure, and climate changes.
- Difficulty with night driving and seeing in low lighting
Cognitive Difficulties
- Poor coordination and balance
- Directional difficulties and recognizing familiar surroundings
- Zone out often, difficulty with concentration, short term memory, and differentiating between certain shades of color.
- Burning or tingling in the upper limbs
- Language impairments and difficulty speaking familiar words
Reproductive Problems
- Loss of libido
- Impotence
- PMS and other menstrual problems
Heart Problems
- Irregular heartbeat
- Valve problems
- Heart attack-like pain
Hair, Skin, and Nails
- Overly-ridged nails or nails that curve under
- Skin that bruises or scars easily or appears mottled
- Hair loss
Mental Health Symptoms
- Anxiety, depression, panic attacks
- Mood swings and unexplained irritability
Other Symptoms
- Family history
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Carbohydrate and chocolate cravings
- Headaches and migraines
- Vision changes
- The sweats
Remember that all of these signs and symptoms are nonspecific, meaning that they can be caused by or signify another condition, or they could be coincidental and not mean anything at all. For example, just because you experience PMS, are occasionally moody, have cravings, or experience migraines, does not mean that you have fibromyalgia. Again, speak with your doctor before jumping to any conclusions. (1, 2, 3)
How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Unfortunately, Fibromyalgia can be mistaken for other conditions, and there are no specific tests that can give a one hundred percent certain diagnoses, making it difficult to diagnose at all.
