YOU HAVE TO READ THIS! Fibromyalgia symptoms..this is me! is it you?!

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Symptoms

Symptoms

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.

Surgery for Fibromyalgia at the University of Washington

If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this

procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals

website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can

also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280)