Compilation of Fibromyalgia Symptoms

By Tamara Peters
updated on 06/20/2007 at 11:06AM

Published on: January 14, 2004
article reprinted from Suite101.com

Let me preface this list by saying - although this list is long, not everyone will have all of these symptoms, but many of us will have most of these symptoms at one time or another. Although FMS has not been considered progressive, in the past, the symptoms can and often do become worse over time. It is also possible your symptoms will lessen with time.

Most importantly - any new or puzzling symptom should be checked out by your primary physician. Do not just assume it is due to Fibro!

Physiological:

Fatigue - physical and mental
Pain - widespread
Growing pains as a child
Muscles - may experience weakness, spasms, tics, twitches, cramps, burning, jumping, throbbing, tension, stiffness (especially in the morning or after prolonged idleness)
Reduced range of motion
Difficulty going up/down stairs
Buckling knees
Trigger finger/thumb
Weak knees and ankles
Feeling of swollen extremities
Pain around joints
Fluctuating blood pressure
Overall weakness
Tender points
Weight gain/loss - appetite and metabolism may be too high or too low
Exercise intolerance
Paradoxical breathing (shallow breathing)

Paresthesia - tingling or numbness in extremities (hands/feet/fingers/arms and legs - may also be widespread)

Malaise - flu-like symptoms

Heart rate dysfunction (palpitations) Breast pain and tenderness Costochondritis (chest pain)

Chronic headaches/migraines - facial/jaw pain

Impaired coordination - clumsiness, lack of hand/eye coordination, dropping things unexpectedly, staggered walk, bumping into things

Broken thermostats Night sweats

Fever (unexplained, low-grade)

Foot problems - Plantar Fasciitis, Mortons foot (also called FMS foot) - narrow heel, wide front, high arch. Foot/toe pain Tarsal Tunnel

Nails - no 1/2 moon, vertical ridges may develop in fingernails and toe nails. Nails may split, and break off easily. If they do grow they may curve or curl under.

Hair - dry, brittle, hair loss, clogged hair folicles

Dental - unexplained tooth pain, excess tartar, grinding teeth

Sinus - stuffiness, dry mucous membranes, allergies

Dry eyes, nose, mouth, itchy mouth, chronic dry cough

Ears - internal itching, tinnitus, hearing loss, pain, fluid build up, dizziness, vertigo

Gastrointestinal problems - esophageal reflux (heartburn), difficulty swallowing, choking, indigestion, nausea, gas (abdominal pain and cramps), constipation/diarrhea, bloating

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) PMS Vulvodynia Yeast infections - internal or external Sexual dysfunction

Skin Problems - dry, itchy and raised patches on skin, rashes, bruise easily, scar easily (usually dark) sensitive skin, redness, mottling

Visual Disturbances - blurred vision, days when unable to focus, unexpected tearing of eyes, dark specks or drifting spots, loss of night vision, shaky vision, frequent changes in eyeglass prescription, creates problems when driving, lack of depth perception

Hypersensitivities - fluorescent lights (sound and flicker), bright lights, motion, sound, ultra-sensitive skin(allodynia), heat and/or cold, electromagnetic sensitivity, odors,(smell too much or too little), food, alcohol, medications, hyperaltertness (startle easily)

Psychological:

(these components may aggravate symptoms, and are usually the result of living with a chronic illness - not the cause.

Depression
Anxiety
Mental Stress
Panic Attacks
Mood Swings
Suicidal Ideation

Personality Trait: Type A

Sleep Dysfunctions:

Alpha-EEG anomaly (intrusion of waking brain-waves into sleeping brain-waves)
non-restorative sleep
sleep apnea
insomnia
weird sleep patterns
trouble getting to sleep
frequent wakenings
night-time jerking of limbs

Cognitive dysfunctions:

Fibro-fog (includes the following) Mental confusional states
Loss of short-term memory
Inability to concentrate
Impaired thinking
Memory blanks
Absentmindedness
Inability to recognize familiar surroundings
Disorientation
Easily distracted
Inability to comprehend written, or spoken words
Trouble with directions
Slow processing of incoming messages
Short attention span
Fugue type states (spaciness)
Mental fatigue
Decision making problems
Trouble keeping track of conversations
Trouble staying on, or completing tasks
Easily overwhelmed
Attention Deficit Disorder
Acquired dyslexia (includes difficulty speaking known words as they often come out backwards, or all mixed up)
Calculation difficulties
Trouble with typing, or writing, which results in the same difficulties as spoken words.

Overlapping and/or Possible Related Conditions (similar symptoms): can occur with or without Fibromyalgia (fibro often mimics these conditions as well).

Reactive Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)
IBS (Irritable Bowel/Irritable Bladder
Syndromes)
Mitral Valve Prolapse (heart valve dysfunction)
Bruxism (grinding teeth)
Costochondritis
Lupus
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Lyme Disease
Gulf War Syndrome
Interstitial Cystitis
Sjogren's Disease
CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
Raynaud's Disease (cold intolerance)
Hypothyroidism
MPS (Myofascial Pain Syndrome)
MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
MCSS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome
PLMS (Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome)
Polymyalgia
TMJD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction)
Sciatica
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Osteoarthritis

About the Author

Tamara Peters works with Suite101.com in the following capacities:

Managing Editor: Medicine and Diseases
Contributing Editor: Fibromyalgia Friends
Associate Editor: Coping with Fibromyalgia-I&II CpE

Article originally printed at http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/Fibro_Friends/105883

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