Fibromyalgia Symptoms
The Monster List of Fibromyalgia Symptoms!
By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com Guide
Updated September 02, 2011
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board
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You've probably read about fibromyalgia symptoms such as pain, fatigue and fibro fog, but the list of possible signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia are far-reaching and body-wide. Those tiny lists don't even begin to describe our experience! I put together this "monster list" of 60+ fibromyalgia symptoms to let you know that you're not alone! The list is adapted from one put together by fibromyalgia expert Devin Starlanyl along with recent research.
Many of these fibromyalgia symptoms also can be caused by other ailments and this list isn't intended as a diagnostic tool. Knowing the full range of symptoms, however, can help youtrack them either to help your doctor reach a diagnosis or to help you identify triggers.
Some of the following are noted as overlapping conditions, which means they commonly occur with fibromyalgia but actually are conditions that need to be diagnosed and treated separately.
People with fibromyalgia can have any combination of the following symptoms, and to varying degrees of severity.
FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS CHECKLIST
General Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Delayed reactions to physical exertion or stressful events
- Other family members with fibromyalgia (genetic predisposition)
- Sweats
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Cravings for carbohydrate and chocolate
- Headaches & migraines
- Vision changes, including rapidly worsening vision
Muscle & Tissue-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Pain that ranges from mild to severe, and may move around the body (See The 7 Types of Fibromyalgia Pain)
- Morning stiffness
- Muscle twitches
- Diffuse swelling
- Fibrocystic (lumpy, tender) breasts (as an overlapping condition)
Sinus & Allergy-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Allergies
- Post nasal drip
- Runny nose
- Mold & yeast sensitivity
- Shortness of breath
- Earaches & itchy ears
- Ringing ears (tinitis)
- Thick secretions
Sleep-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Light and/or broken sleep pattern with unrefreshing sleep
- Fatigue
- Sleep starts (falling sensations)
- Twitchy muscles at night
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
Reproductive Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Abdominal & Digestive Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Bloating & nausea
- Abdominal cramps
- Pelvic pain
- Irritable bowel syndrome (as an overlapping condition)
- Urinary frequency
Cognitive/Neurological Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Difficulty speaking known words, other language impairments (dysphasia)
- Directional disorientation
- Poor balance and coordination
- Paresthesias in the upper limbs (tingling or burning sensations)
- Loss of ability to distinguish some shades of colors
- Short-term memory impairment
- Confusion
- Trouble concentrating
- Staring into space before brain "kicks in"
- Inability to recognize familiar surroundings
Sensory Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Sensitivity to odors
- Sensitivity to pressure changes, temperature & humidity
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Night driving difficulty
- Sensory overload
Emotional Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Panic attacks
- Depression (as an overlapping condition)
- Tendency to cry easily
- Free-floating anxiety (not associated with situation or object)
- Mood swings
- Unaccountable irritability
Heart-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Mitral valve prolapse (as an overlapping condition)
- Rapid, fluttery, irregular heartbeat
- Pain that mimics heart attack, frequently from costochondritis (as an overlapping condition)
Skin, Hair & Nail-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Pronounced nail ridges
- Nails that curve under
- Mottled skin
- Bruising or scaring easily
- Hair loss (temporary)
- Tissue overgrowth (non-cancerous tumors called lipomas, ingrown hairs, heavy and splitting cuticles, adhesions)
Miscellaneous Fibromyalgia Symptoms
- Hemorrhoids
- Nose bleeds
Sources:
2004 Devin J. Starlanyl. All rights reserved. "Fibromyalgia (FMS) and Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP) For Doctors and Other Health Care Providers."
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