Compilation of Fibromyalgia Symptoms

By Tamara Peters – 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