Fibromyalgia Symptoms- Know About The Reality

06.06.2008 by Dr John Anne in Health Care

Bookmark this post -

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common and chronic disorder characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. The word fibromyalgia comes from the Latin term for fibrous tissue (fibro) and the Greek ones for muscle (myo) and pain (algia). Tender points are specific places on the body; on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, and upper and lower extremities; where people with fibromyalgia feel pain in response to slight pressure.Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Genito-Urinary Problems: FMS patients may experience increased frequency of urination or increased urgency to urinate, typically in the absence of a bladder infection. Women with FMS may have more painful menstrual periods or experience worsening of their FMS symptoms during this time. Conditions such as vulvar vestibulitis or vulvodynia, characterized by a painful vulvar region and painful sexual intercourse, may also develop in women.

Fatigue: Another frequent complaint associated with fibromyalgia is fatigue. In fact, it occurs so commonly that some doctors think fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are the same disease. The severity of the fatigue can range from mild to incapacitating. In its worse form, fatigue can be so debilitating that some people have trouble keeping their jobs. No amount of sleep at night or rest during the day is helpful.

There are currently no laboratory tests available for diagnosing fibromyalgia. To diagnose fibromyalgia, physicians will take a medical history and perform a physical examination including what is called an “accurate manual tender point” examination. Based on standardized criteria of this examination, a diagnosis of fibromyalgia may be made. Because there are no lab tests and fibromyalgia symptoms can mimic - and be present with - other medical conditions, it can take up to five years to receive a diagnosis. The course of fibromyalgia is unpredictable. The symptoms may improve or worsen over the years. The pain may be mild or disabling. Sometimes the chronic discomfort may become so severe, it causes not only physical problems, but also emotional difficulties. It is important to remember that most people with fibromyalgia tend to improve over time.

Fibromyalgia sufferers can also feel very stiff, especially first thing in the morning. They also may have a feeling of extreme fatigue and have trouble sleeping. Migraine headaches also occur in some sufferers.

Many who have fibromyalgia have an increased sensitivity to pain and cold weather.

Pain from fibromyalgia can occur in the muscles and ligaments of any part of your body and can vary in severity from day to day. The pain may change location - some people feel pain all over, but its most common in the parts of the body that are used most, such as the back, neck, shoulders and feet. In some people the pain can be so intense that it interferes with everyday tasks such as eating, while in others it may cause only moderate discomfort. The pain is often accompanied by stiffness in the area affected.

Tender areas

There are usually several small areas which are quite tender (’tender spots’). If someone presses on one of these it is likely to make you wince. The common sites for these are shown in the diagram. However, most of the body is not tender, and it is not known why some small areas become so tender.

Fibromyalgia can sometimes feel like the flu. You may experience body aches, tiredness, and intestinal problems. The pain in your joints and muscles may be especially bothersome at night, waking you from sleep, or in the morning, when you may feel very stiff and sore. You may have trouble concentrating because of fatigue. Symptoms can last from days to months or years.