What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

The main symptoms are: chronic pain in the muscles, primarily in the upper back in certain "trigger point" areas. The pain must be present longer than three months, have no other known cause, and be related to other symptoms, such as fatigue.

Because fibromyalgia can cause signs and feelings similar to osteoarthritis, bursitis and tendinitis, some experts include it in this group of arthritis and related disorders.  But unlike the usual bursitis or tendinitis that is localized to a single area, the feelings of pain and stiffness with this type of arthritis are very widespread.

For some people, the symptoms are not always chronic--with the pain coming and going.  Unlike some chronic, severe forms of arthritis that cause crippling, most of those with FMS are able to get through the day except that they constantly feel tired and achy. Symptoms may include: 

• pain
• fatigue
• morning stiffness
• trigger points
• sleep problems
• anxiety and depression
• inability to concentrate (fibro fog)
• swelling, numbness and tingling in hands, arms, feet and legs
• headaches
• irritable bowel syndrome
• urinary symptoms
• painful menstrual cramps
• discoloration of hands and feet (Raynaud's phenomenon)
• restless legs syndrome
• dryness in mouth, nose and eyes

Common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• pain
• fatigue
• morning stiffness
• tender points or localized areas of tenderness in muscles
• sleep problems with difficulty sleeping or unrefreshing sleep
• anxiety
• difficulty concentrating
• depression
• swelling, numbness and tingling in hands, arms, feet and legs
• headaches
• irritable bowel syndrome with periods of constipation and diarrhea, abdominal pain
• urinary symptoms such as burning or frequency of urination
• painful menstrual cramps (women)
• discoloration of hands and feet (Raynaud's phenomenon)
• restless legs syndrome
• dryness in mouth, nose and eyes

 

The symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Cognitive and memory problems (sometimes called “fibro fog”)
• Trouble sleeping
• Morning stiffness
• Headaches
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Painful menstrual periods
• Numbness or tingling of hands and feet
• Restless legs syndrome
• Temperature sensitivity
• Sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights

This answer is based on source information from the National Women's Health Information Center.

The symptoms of fibromyalgia vary from person to person. Symptoms can last from days to months or years.

The most common symptoms are:

• Widespread deep or burning pain above and below your waist and on the right and left sides of your body. Pain is more common in the trunk, neck, low back, hips and shoulders. It usually gets worse gradually and can interfere with even simple daily activities.
• Tender points (or trigger points) on the body that hurt when pressed.

Other symptoms that can occur along with pain include:

• Fatigue that interferes with work and daily activities.
• Sleep problems, such as trouble falling asleep or staying asleep or waking up feeling tired.
• Morning stiffness lasting less than an hour.
• Headaches.
• Constipation or diarrhea related to irritable bowel syndrome.
• Memory problems and trouble concentrating.
• Anxiety or depression.

People with fibromyalgia have times when their symptoms get worse and other times when they have milder or no symptoms. Flare-ups of fatigue and muscle and joint aches are common, especially following physical or emotional stress. Many people with fibromyalgia say that cold or damp weather, poor sleep, fatigue, stress or being too active makes their pain worse.

The name fibromyalgia doesn't fully describe the many disabling symptoms that people typically experience with the disease. A survey of people with fibromyalgia found that pain was only part of the disability caused by the syndrome:

• Nine in ten have pain.
• Nine in ten also have problems with fatigue and stiff joints.
• Eight in ten experience weakness.
• Seven in ten have problems with sleep.
• More than half have headaches.
• Half also report sore eyes.
• Four in ten have problems with dizziness.
• Three in ten have problems with breathlessness.

Mood problems, such as depression or anxiety, are also common, affecting approximately two of three people with fibromyalgia.

Although fibromyalgia is usually referred to as a chronic pain syndrome, in some cases, other symptoms may be more of a problem. In one study of fibromyalgia in women, problems with fatigue were more significant than pain because of their effects on quality of life. Another study showed that poor sleep was the worst problem, and that sleep difficulties increased pain and fatigue. This interaction among pain, sleep, and fatigue can result in a vicious spiral of disability.

Breaking out of the cycle of pain, poor sleep, and fatigue often requires attention to each of these problems. So, be sure to share all your troublesome fibromyalgia symptoms with your doctor. Also, be sure to let her know which symptom or symptoms have the biggest impact for you. For example, your worst problem might be poor sleep or fatigue, not pain.

The salient feature of fibromyalgia is a set of "tender points," specific places on the neck, shoulders, arms, back, hips, and legs that hurt when they are pressed. Yet most people with fibromyalgia also have a number of other symptoms -- generalized muscle pain, fatigue, morning stiffness, headaches, tingling hands and feet, and sleep disturbances. Memory and concentration problems are so common that they've been dubbed "fibro fog." Researchers have yet to identify a cause, although they continue to look for genes, triggering events, and underlying illnesses. One hypothesis is that it may be rooted in the central nervous system, resulting in acute sensitivity to pain.

General: Symptoms of fibromyalgia may vary, depending on the weather, time of day, physical activity, and stress levels. Patients generally experience pain and stiffness throughout their bodies. Common symptoms include fatigue, sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches, facial pain, and increased sensitivity. Other symptoms may include depression, difficulty concentrating, chest pain, numbness or tingling sensations in the hands or feet (paresthesia), anxiety, painful menstrual periods, dizziness, as well as dry eyes, skin, or mouth. Not all people with fibromyalgia experience all associated symptoms.

Co-existing conditions: Fibromyalgia frequently occurs in patients with psychiatric conditions such as depression and anxiety and stress-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Fibromyalgia also occurs more often in patients with endometriosis, lupus, osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Pain: The most common symptom experienced by fibromyalgia patients is long-term, body-wide pain and allodynia. Allodynia is pain caused by stimuli that are not normally painful and may occur in an area other than in the area being stimulated. The pain is usually in multiple locations and may be difficult to describe precisely. The pain associated with fibromyalgia is usually described as a constant dull ache, typically arising from muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The pain may also be described as radiating, gnawing, shooting or burning. It ranges from mild to severe. In some patients, the pain improves during the day and increases again during the evening, although other patients experience unrelenting pain throughout the day. The pain may increase with activity, cold or damp weather, anxiety, and stress. Fibromyalgia is characterized by additional pain when firm pressure is applied to tender points. Tender point locations include the back of the head, between the shoulder blades, the top of the shoulders, the front sides of neck, the upper chest, the outer elbows, the upper and sides of the hips, and the inner knees.

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Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition -- but pain is far from its only symptom. In this video, family medicine specialist Dr. Jennifer Caudle explains the other problems you may experience with this disease.