Fibromyalgia

What is it?
Sign, symptoms
Tests
Treatment

Signs and symptoms

There are many variable symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, but the condition almost always starts with chronic widespread pain and pain upon palpation in particular areas called “tender points.” Most people with fibromyalgia also have some degree of chronic fatigue and interrupted sleep.

Other common symptoms include:

Body stiffness, especially in the morning and with prolonged sitting
Depression and anxiety (may coexist)
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses
Headaches
Painful menstruation
Parasthesia (numbness and tingling in hands and feet)

Those affected may also experience:

Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Difficulty swallowing
Dizziness, balance problems
Dry eyes, difficulty focusing
Dry mouth
Gas and cramping, abdominal pain
Heartburn
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Itchy, dry, or blotchy skin
Localised oedema (such as swollen fingers)
Neurally mediated hypotension (blood pressure that lowers when standing)
Painful sexual intercourse
Pelvic pain
Restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement during sleep
Rhinitis consisting of nasal congestion/discharge and sinus pain (but no allergic immune response)
Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, temperature, and odours
Sensitivity to medications (more likely to have side effects)
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), pain in jaw joints and surrounding muscles
Urinary frequency, urge, and irritation

Fibromyalgia can and does co-exist with many other chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. The symptoms of these conditions may be mingled with those associated with fibromyalgia, making diagnosis more of a challenge.